Our "Walking Dead" computer

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

Hi. 1 week ago our older desktop computer was frozen & would not work. We could not connect with either Fire Fox or Chrome, and were unable to dowload Windows updates. Now it works once more, (Yay!) but could this be the beginning of the end? Thank you in advance for all your help!

Sincerely,

4-Cats_2-Owners

 

[kuttus]

Hi and welcome to the malwaretips.com forums!

I'm Kuttus and I am going to try to assist you with your problem. Please take note of the below:

• I will start working on your malware issues, this may or may not, solve other issues you have with your machine.
• The fixes are specific to your problem and should only be used for this issue on this machine!
• The process is not instant. Please continue to review my answers until I tell you your machine is clear. Absence of symptoms does not mean that everything is clear.
• If you don't know, stop and ask! Don't keep going on.
• Please reply to this thread. Do not start a new topic.
• Refrain from running self fixes as this will hinder the malware removal process.
• It may prove beneficial if you print of the following instructions or save them to notepad as I post them.

Your security programs may give warnings for some of the tools I will ask you to use. Be assured, any links I give are safe.


Before we start:
Please be aware that removing malware is a potentially hazardous undertaking. I will take care not to knowingly suggest courses of action that might damage your computer. However it is impossible for me to foresee all interactions that may happen between the software on your computer and those we'll use to clear you of infection, and I cannot guarantee the safety of your system. It is possible that we might encounter situations where the only recourse is to re-format and re-install your operating system, or to necessitate you taking your computer to a repair shop.

Because of this, I advise you to backup any personal files and folders before you start.

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Now please download this file and save it to the same location of FRST.

Open FRST and click Fix. Post the generated log. Then attempt to boot to normal mode.

 

[aztony]

Hi. 1 week ago our older desktop computer was frozen & would not work. We could not connect with either Fire Fox or Chrome, and were unable to dowload Windows updates.

The problem you experienced was likely attributed to this. Last patch Tuesday my XP rig was virtually unusable as svchost.exe was once again red-lined as it struggled to acquire the Windows updates. What I did was disable Windows Updates thru Control Panel, and from now on I will update directly from the Windows Update site to avoid this debacle.

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

Hi and welcome to the malwaretips.com forums!

I'm Kuttus and I am going to try to assist you with your problem. Please take note of the below:

Now please download this file and save it to the same location of FRST.

Open FRST and click Fix. Post the generated log. Then attempt to boot to normal mode.

Hi Kuttus, & thanks!

Here is the fixlog. I believe I am in normal mode now. Do you mean I should re-boot, or restart, the computer now?

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

The problem you experienced was likely attributed to this. Last patch Tuesday my XP rig was virtually unusable as svchost.exe was once again red-lined as it struggled to acquire the Windows updates. What I did was disable Windows Updates thru Control Panel, and from now on I will update directly from the Windows Update site to avoid this debacle.

Thank you aztony! I'd never wish that pesky svchost.exe to plague anyone else, ..and yet, it feels good to know I was not alone! I shall disable updates now whilst preferring, & hopefully remembering.., to do them myself.
PS Would you recommend updating through Explorer, or would Fire Fox work just as well?

 

[kuttus]

You are still experiencing the same issue right?

 

[aztony]

Thank you aztony! I'd never wish that pesky svchost.exe to plague anyone else, ..and yet, it feels good to know I was not alone! I shall disable updates now whilst preferring, & hopefully remembering.., to do them myself.
PS Would you recommend updating through Explorer, or would Fire Fox work just as well?

I think you will need IE to download the updates. I have a Win 7 rig as well so I will be clued to update when it does.

Would you recommend updating through Explorer, or would Fire Fox work just as well?

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

I think you will need IE to download the updates. I have a Win 7 rig as well so I will be clued to update when it does.

Well, thank Goodness for IE! Years ago, I didn't think I'd ever say that.

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

You are still experiencing the same issue right?

Our computer is now working far better after these diagnostic steps before which, I was afraid, there was going to be a memorial for the PC. I am pleasantly surprised, kuttus. Thank you!

 

[kuttus]

You are most welcome... Is there anything else that I can assist you with ?

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

Do you recommend I remove AswMBR & Frst, or should I keep them for future use?

 

[kuttus]

You can remove it. Download the latest version always.

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

Alright, will do. Thank you again, kuttus, for your patient assistance!
I shall keep an eye peeled for you & future posts on your ongoing mission of mercy protecting against system incompatibilities, adware, + villainous malware!

 

[kuttus]

Now that your PC is clean, I recommend you to create a new System Restore point then purge the old ones after.

For XP
How to create a Restore Point in XP
Delete all restore points except the most recent one

For Vista
Create a restore point
Delete all but the most recent restore point

For Windows 7
Create a restore point
Delete all but the most recent restore point - Click the Delete all but the most recent restore point link

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Keep your system updated

• Keeping your programs (especially Adobe and Java products) updated is essential. Update Checker will notify you if any of your programs require an update.
• Microsoft releases patches for Windows and Office products regularly to patch up Windows and Office product bugs and vulnerabilities.
• Please ensure you update your system regularly and have automatic updates on. You can learn how to turn Automatic Updates on here

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I also recommend you to switch your antivirus program to a better one. Here are some suggestions:

• avast! 7 Home Edition - Don't use it with Online Armor
• Avira AntiVir Personal
• Microsoft Security Essentials

In addition to your antivirus, you need additional protection such as a firewall and behavioural blocker.

• Online Armor
• Comodo Firewall - If you are an advance user

Here are only a few suggestions that will improve your system security. Should you wish to allow us to make full recommendations and set your PC up with maximum security, please start a thread here. Our community of PC enthusiasts and experts will give you feedback and help you secure your system from future malware infections.

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Internet Explorer may be the most popular browser but it's definitely not the most secure browser. Consider using other browsers with addition add-ons to safeguard your system while browsing the internet.

Firefox is a more secure, faster browser than Internet Explorer. Firefox contains less vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of drive-by downloads. In addition, you can add the following add-ons to increase security.

• KeyScramber - Encrypts your keystrokes to protect you against keyloggers that steals personal & banking information
• AdBlock - Disable/blocks advertisements on websites so you won't accidentally click on a malicious ad.
• NoScript - Disables Flash & Java contents to avoid exploits or drive-by attacks
• Web of Trust - Shows the website rating by other users and blocks dangerous and poor-rated sites

Google Chrome is another good browser that is faster and more secure than Internet Explorer by having a sandbox feature. Additionally, you can add the following add-on to Chrome to heighten security.

• AdBlock

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Lastly, it is important to perform system maintenance on a regular basis. Here are a few tools and on-demand scanners that you should keep & use every 1-2 weeks to keep your system healthy.

• CCleaner
• Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
• Temp File Cleaner by OldTimer

Other than that, stay safe out there! If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to ask

<hr />
What's next?

1. Bulild up your malware defenses by starting a new thread in Security Configuration Wizard forum.
2. Learn how to avoid malware by reading this article <a href="http://malwaretips.com/blogs/how-to-easily-avoid-pc-infections/">How to easily avoid malware</a>
3. Be an active member in the MalwareTips community!

My virus removal help is always free. Should you wish to show your appreciation via a donation, it will be much appreciated.

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

Hi there. Each time our computer starts up we're prompted to wait while a device driver is located. When no driver can be found for "unknown device" we are then prompted as "driver for volume manager has been successfully installed" to "restart computer". Restarting begins this cycle again, and device manager appears filled with countless "unknown device"(-s). Is this malware? Thank you, in advance!

 

[kuttus]

Hi,

It is not part of any virus issues. It seems some Drivers are missing on your computer... Please re install that one and it will fix it.

 

[Prorootect]

How VERITAS Volume Manager (tm) works with Microsoft Cluster Server: http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH11094

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

Hi,

It is not part of any virus issues. It seems some Drivers are missing on your computer... Please re install that one and it will fix it.

Thank you, kuttus. This a good beginning "...which is very good place to start!".

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

How VERITAS Volume Manager (tm) works with Microsoft Cluster Server: http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH11094

Thanks for this, Prorootect!

Do you know if this applies to Windows 7 OS?

 

[Prorootect]

Thanks for this, Prorootect!

Do you know if this applies to Windows 7 OS?

Symantec Storage Foundation : SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS : http://www.symantec.com/storage-foundation/system-requirements