LaMadame

Hello TSF,

In September I had a thread open

Low Memory, Cannot install cleaners!


I was advised to do a disk cleaning and then try to reinstall the AVG. Unfortunately my thread was closed before I had a chance to reply with my findings. She has brought the computer to me now so I can try to figure out why she is having so many problems. I know she has not had any real protection on the system and has been running comcast high speed.

This is a HP Pavillion a305w running Windows XP. The hard drive has a total size of 31.7 and there is a total of 230mb left.

I have done the disk clean up, i tried to reinstall the AVG and it told me that it cannot support the installation and gave me a web site to go to
www.avg.com/ww.special-old-os-app.

I also went to the link provided in the old thread, and unfortunately it did not work.

I went to the malware removal site myself to retrieve the 5 steps before posting and I cannot install anything. I am just not sure what to do at this point. Can someone let me know what is safe to remove, or what should I try to get rid of? and is AVG not working because there is not enough room?

I have the system with me now so my responses will be more immediate, so I will not waste anyones time. I do value your suggestions and all of your help.

Edit note: I thought I should mention that upon turning on the system, I get the following error code:

RUNDLL
C:/WINDOWS/SYSTEM32/drlpykla.dll
Specified module cannot be found.

Sincerest thanks again,
Mera

tetonbob

You need more disk space on this machine. Windows XP requires a minimum of 1.5GB, or 15%, of free space, whichever is greater.

With hdd being so inexpensive today, and external hdd so easy for storage of pics, docs, music and the like, those are two options I'd look at first. Have a look and see what's taking up so much space. Uninstall unused apps, migrate pics, docs, music, videos off the OS drive, either to a second hdd, or an external usb hdd. Then you should be able to install an AntiVirus. Personally, I'd go with Avira for this situation.

Orphaned Run entry, a remnant from a Vundo infection.

No logs are reviewed in this section of the forum, so please don't post them here. For what it's worth, the tools we use for analysis are very small, and do not install, they just run...so if they won't run, you have more deep seated issues than just drive space.

Sometimes, if a machine is so corrupted that nothing will install, it's best to backup any valued data and perform a system recovery using the OEM partition most machines come with these days, or a repair install/format-reinstall using the Windows XP CD if there is one.

LaMadame

Ok, I am some what computer literate, but sometimes need this type of things explained to me. I have asked her for a recovery cd to this system, but unfortunately it being so old, she has no idea where it is. Can you help me make more space. I know there are things on this computer she doesnt need but I am too afraid to delete something I dont know. LOL.. Under disk clean up is the following available memory but was unsure because it was not already checked, please advise if this is a way to go.
Downloaded program files 0 K
Temporary Internet files 0 K
Recycle Bin 0 k
Set up log files 2,939 K
Temporary files 1,404,608
Webclient/Publisher Temporary files 32 K
Compress old files 11,976,54
Catalog files for the Content indexer 0 KB

I would really like to try to clean this one as much as I can for her to keep it running. I am willing to do what ever it takes to make the space to clean the system. I just need to know how to go about it..
Your input is greatly appreciated and I anxiously await your reply.
Mera

tetonbob

Sorry, but only you and the computer's owner can decide what needs to go besides temp files. Remove all those items found by disk cleanup.

I've already given what I think are the best suggestions for making space....uninstall unused applications, move existing data to another hdd, whether it's internal or external. This costs $$, but there's not likely any other way you're going to recover enough disk space to make a difference.

You can also try burning CD/DVD for some of the data, but with limited free space, I think you're in a pickle there, too. Burning requires free space also, as the files are stored in TEMP before the burn.

Sometimes willingness alone is not enough.

LaMadame

give me a couple of hours, and I will see what I can do. Since the last time I talked with you I turned 230 available to now currently 400. Slowly but surly, I can make this happen. I am going to remove ALL the pictures and there is a ton of music on here. if I burn everything, I can then get rid of it. I will go ahead and check everything in the Disk Clean up and see what that will do for me. I will immediately reply once I have some decent space to talk about, and look into pricing an external drive. any cheap suggestions in that department. I really dont want to go there yet. I will reply tomorrow when I have made enough room.
Sometimes willingness is not enough... well I always see the glass as half full, so sit a while and drink with me.. LOL..
Mera

tetonbob

LOL, take your time....in my time zone it's late, and I'll not be back for several hours.

I shop at newegg quite often. Have a look around.

http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category...me=Hard-Drives

The guys over in the Hardware section could give you better advice than I.

LaMadame

quick thought, can i move the music and pictures to create enough space to clean if I stick it on a 4gb flash drive? just for the time being, until i get things cleaned and under control?

koala

Yes, media files are most people's first choice for file types to move as they can easily be put back without having to reinstall anything, unlike programs.

If the hard drive is only 32GB, you need to make sure there's at least 5GB free space at all times.

If possible, try to store all media files on DVD or flash drive. This would save the expense of buying a second hard drive and free up enough space to make Windows feel more responsive.

Check the swap file size (virtual memory), which is often around the 2-4GB mark. As long as you have at least 1GB RAM and don't run several programs at once, you can safely lower number this slightly to give more a bit more free space. Every little helps

tetonbob

Thanks, koala!

I actually had the same thought as I drifted off to sleep...a much less expensive solution. 8GB usb sticks can be found for $20 or so.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...nd&Order=PRICE

LaMadame

Thank you both for your support, well this is what I have done, going to do and will do if you advise me.

I did the disk clean again and checked off everything that was not already checked. Took a little time, but it gave me a total of 5.15GB! I got so excited! Looking at this system, i realize that is also has HP Recovery D:
Total space 5.54, acutal space 0.97 GB, Question, can I go to disk clean, under the more options tab and go to the bottom under System restore and clean this too or the window components as well?

I am having so success with my flash drive for pictures removal, and trying to create the space to burn to get all the music off.

Also there was a mention of too many programs running upon start up, and I would really love to shut some stuff like word perfect off. Can you advise me how to turn off programs upon start up?

Again sincerest thanks to you both.
Mera

koala

"I am having so success with my flash drive"....... is that some success or no success?

Yes, you can delete the old System Restore points. In fact, you could probably disable it completely to gain more space, but only if you're sure it won't be needed. Remember to reboot if you decide to disable it, to complete the process.

You can also clear out some of the installed Windows Components, just the unimportant ones like Fax Services, MSN Explorer, Outlook Express, etc and some of the Accessories & Utilities and Games. Post a list if you're not sure about any of them.

Right-click the hard drive icon in Windows Explorer and select Properties. Under the General tab there's an option for 'Allow Indexing Service'. If this is enabled, disable it for a slight performance increase.

If you'd like us to look at your startup programs, go to Start > Run > msconfig and post back with all the items listed under the Startup tab (a screenshot might be easier than writing them all down). Include any blank entries, as these might need to be deleted.

LaMadame

is defraging an option? I have done so much disk cleaning, I was just wondering. Another question, when I do select the Disk clean and it asks me C: or D: I have always choose the C: should I run another disk clean and select the D: this time?
All the pictures, documents and music is gone, I have 12.6GB.. Should I find Avira Antivirus and download now. Will cleaning give me more space? At a loss, but willing as ever to see this thing through!
Thanks,
Mera

tetonbob

I don't think you want to worry about the D drive....that's the OEM recovery partition, or should be. There should therefore be an option to perform a recovery from within Windows (on the start menu, under HP apps, or similar), or from pressing F10, F11 or F12 during bootup. That, just to indicate there are those options available.

A defrag might not be a bad idea before performing any installations or cleaning using an AntiVirus.

After that, I think you can try to install Avira. It is available here:

Avira AntiVir Personal

Here is a tutorial on it's setup and use:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/cont...ticles/64.html

LaMadame

ok, just to clarify... I am now defraging, then should I do the AntiVirus? or the Recovery? and if Recovery, can someone hold my hand and walk me through? LOL
thanks again,
Mera

adding edit: under Msconfig: upon start up

dinst C:\windows\dinst.exe Hklm\software\microsoft\windows\current ver....

Search Protection C:\program files\yahoo!\search protection\searchprotection. exe" Hklm\software\microsoft\windows\current ver...

drlpykla rundll32.exe "C:\windows\system32\drlpykla.dll,b HKLM, SAME

hpztsb12 C:\windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb12.exe

qttask C:\program files\quicktime\qttask.exe"-atboottime

relsched C:\program files\commonfiles\real\update_ob\realsched.exe"-osboot

HPDigital Imaging C:\progra~1\HEWLET~1\digita~1bin\hpqtra08.exe

tetonbob

Not recovery...that shall be held as last resort.

So, in my opinion...yes, defrag, then install an AV. If that goes well, update it, run a full system scan, and see how things are.

LaMadame

ok, I defraged. Installed the AV and ran a scan. I made a log if you would like to see it. I could not update the computer because it is not online. I am talking to you through mine and transfering the software from my flash drive. the log pretty much said the following:
5768 scanning directories
321242 firles were scanned
24 viruses and/or unwanted programs were found
2 files were classified as suspicious
0 files were deleted
0 files were repaired
26 files were moved to quarantine
0 files were remaned
1 file cannot be scanned
321215 files not concerned
18844 archives were scanned
4 warnings
26 notes

tetonbob

Why is the machine not online?

See this topic for manual updates for Avira

http://forum.avira.com/thread.php?threadid=12073

LaMadame

uh oh... am I in trouble TeTonBob? The reason the machine is not on line is because my friend dropped the drive over here, I have dial up unfortunately and she has high speed, but on her computer there is no where to plug in a phone line, just cable and ethernet. Is this a bad thing? will review your link, and update, then run another scan. Anything else I need to do or install?
Thanks again.
Mera

tetonbob

LOL, no, you're not in trouble, just wondering why it's not online. I don't see it mentioned previously, or I would have provided the manual update link earlier.

You might be better served working on the machine at your friend's house where a high speed connection is available. Downloading updates will take quite a while on dialup, but you likely know this already.

I'm not exactly sure what help you're still seeking. We've cleared enough disk space for you to install protection, which seemed to be the initial need of your post. Avira cleaned up what it found, and may well find more with updated definitions.

If you need further assistance with malware removal, you'll need to follow these steps and create a new topic. We really don't perform malware removal assistance in this section of the forum.

Please follow our pre-posting process outlined here:

NEW INSTRUCTIONS - Read This Before Posting For Malware Removal Help

After running through all the steps, you shall have a proper set of logs.

After running through all the steps, please post the requested logs in the Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help forum, not here.

If you need further assistance with the operating system, you may wish to create a new topic in the Windows XP support forum. The staff and members in that area will be better able to assist you with that.

LaMadame

First of all let me just say thank you very much. I did get all the memory I possibly could with this machine, furthermore, I ran the AV Scan and it only found 9 entries. I quarantined those, I discussed my problem further with a Tech friend from school and he referred me to CClean and another software to run, it found so much, I will get the name and post it back to you. CCleaner created more memory after cleaning, from 12.5 to 13.6. I ran the second scan (will get the name of program) and it found over 30047 items unprotected 194 registry problems, and 88 system organization problems. It cleaned and gave me close to 18. in my memory now. I will review the malware link you provided and post to them when I am finished. I just wanted to thank you so much for all of your help, It really worked and this old system is surely happy again! YOU ARE ALL THE BEST THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Sincerely,
Mera