Duplicate processes in Task Manager eating memory, cleanup utlitity/method?

[sboulton]

Hi There,

I am running XP home, and my memory is being eaten up by duplicate processes on one of the accounts. It has 6x svchost.exe all taking up at least 4000kb, as well as many processes ive never heard of taking up memory. I can stop most of the non-systems ones, but im not sure how to stop them starting up.

The erroneous processes are as follows:

adskscsrv.exe
csrss.exe
msnim.exe (msn messenger?)
wuauclt.exe (trojan? not detected by scans though!)
smss.exe
udserve.exe

I have had trouble with the following processes also:

services.exe
lsass.exe

If anyone can point me in the direction of a fix, it would be much appreciated. And if someone can explain why this one account has 6x svchost.exes running and wont let me close the rest, with a fix for it that would be great also!

Many thanks,

Steve

[sboulton]

whilst im here, i also have a problem whenever i start up the machine that it has found new hardware "bluetooth virtual HID mouse and keyboard." Whist i did for a brief period have bluetooth running on my PC, ive never owned a bluetooth mouse and keyboard, and all the bluetooth software and reciever is uninstalled, there is no way it can be finding it!

How can i stop this running!

[AltCodec]

Just some info on the tasks you were concerned about.

adskscsrv.exe - this is normally a service associated with autodesk licensing

csrss.exe is the main executable for the Microsoft Client/Server Runtime Server Subsystem. This process manages most graphical commands in Windows. This program is important for the stable and secure running of your computer and should not be terminated

msnim.exe, not tottaly sure about this.. could it be msnimn ? msnimn is outlook express. MSN Messenger is msnmsgr.exe

Wuauclt.exe is a process managing automatic updates for Windows

smss.exe Windows Session Manager SubSystem and is responsible for handling sessions on your system

udserve.exe is normally the Undelete program from Executive Software. May be worth checking for the latest update. This can use up lots of resources.

services.exe is a part of the Microsoft Windows Operating System and manages the operation of starting and stopping services. This process also deals with the automatic starting of services during the comptuers boot-up and the stopping of servicse during shut-down

lsass.exe is a system process of the Microsoft Windows security mechanisms

svchost.exe - best to read this article at Microsoft. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314056

Hope this helps some.

[CTSNKY]

Please download HijackThis. Create a folder at C:\HJT and move HijackThis.exe there. Run a scan and save the log file. Post the whole log file here. Do not fix anything since most of them listed there are harmless (some are system required). This program will help us determine if there is any spyware/malware on your computer.

[sboulton]

Right guys, here is the complete log, shouldnt be any spyware as i often run Spybot: S&D

My system performance is continually worsening though!

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 14:47:01, on 14/11/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
E:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
E:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
E:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
E:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
E:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
E:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
E:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
E:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Service\AdskScSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Brunel University\VPN Client\cvpnd.exe
E:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
E:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
E:\Program Files\Executive Software\Undelete\UdServe.exe
E:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
E:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe
E:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\point32.exe
E:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
E:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
E:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESCOMM.EXE
E:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
E:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\hjt\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.google.com/ie
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.google.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir...r=6&ar=msnhome
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir...ie&ar=iesearch
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir...ie&ar=iesearch
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&clcid={SUB_CLSID}&pver={SUB_PVER}&ar=home
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.google.com/ie
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.google.com/keyword/%s
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = 0-1pool124-163.nas12.atlanta2.ga.us.da.qwest.net:26161
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - E:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - e:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEToolbarHelper Class - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - E:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - E:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - E:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &SearchBar - {0494D0D9-F8E0-41ad-92A3-14154ECE70AC} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {62999427-33FC-4baf-9C9C-BCE6BD127F08} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - e:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] E:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [type32] "E:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelliPoint] "E:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\point32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE E:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "E:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "E:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [H/PC Connection Agent] "E:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESCOMM.EXE"
O4 - Global Startup: Brunel University VPN Client.lnk = C:\Program Files\Brunel University\VPN Client\ipsecdialer.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download with &DAP - E:\PROGRA~1\DAP\dapextie.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://e:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://e:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://e:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download &all with DAP - E:\PROGRA~1\DAP\dapextie2.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://E:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Save with Download Manager... - file://E:\Program Files\J River\Media Center\DMDownload.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://e:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://e:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - E:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\INETREPL.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - E:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\INETREPL.DLL
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - E:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\INETREPL.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Related - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - E:\WINDOWS\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - E:\WINDOWS\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - (no file)
O16 - DPF: {41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C} - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/...eInstaller.exe

[CTSNKY]

There are a few things to take care of here.....

Please print out or copy this page to Notepad. Make sure to work through the fixes in the exact order it is mentioned below. If there's anything that you don't understand, ask your question(s) before proceeding with the fixes. You should not have any open browsers when you are following the procedures below.

Go to My Computer->Tools/View->Folder Options->View tab and make sure that 'Show hidden files and folders' (or 'Show all files') is enabled. Also make sure that Display the contents of System Folders' is checked. Windows XP's search feature is a little different. When you click on 'All files and folders' on the left pane, click on the 'More advanced options' at the bottom. Make sure that Search system folders, Search hidden files and folders, and Search subfolders are checked.

Reboot into Safe Mode (hit F8 key until menu shows up).

Uninstall the following via the Add/Remove Panel (Start->(Settings)->Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs) if they exist:

DAP (Download Accelerator)

Run a scan in HijackThis. Check each of the following and hit 'Fix checked' (after checking them) if they still exist (make sure not to miss any):

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O3 - Toolbar: &SearchBar - {0494D0D9-F8E0-41ad-92A3-14154ECE70AC} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {62999427-33FC-4baf-9C9C-BCE6BD127F08} - (no file)
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download with &DAP - E:\PROGRA~1\DAP\dapextie.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download &all with DAP - E:\PROGRA~1\DAP\dapextie2.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Related - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - E:\WINDOWS\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links - {c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a} - E:\WINDOWS\web\related.htm
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - (no file)

Delete the following Files/Folders (delete folders if no filename is specified) according to their directory (if none, just do a search for them) and delete them if they exist:

C:\Program Files\DAP\

Reboot into Normal Mode and post a new HijackThis log file so we can make sure it's clean.

[sboulton]

Ok, done as you asked in exact order, but HJT seems to have found more tasks than before(?)

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 15:37:20, on 14/11/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
E:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
E:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
E:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
E:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
E:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
E:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
E:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
E:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\Service\AdskScSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Brunel University\VPN Client\cvpnd.exe
E:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
E:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
E:\Program Files\Executive Software\Undelete\UdServe.exe
E:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
E:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe
E:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\point32.exe
E:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
E:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
E:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESCOMM.EXE
E:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESMgr.exe
E:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE
C:\hjt\HijackThis.exe
E:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
E:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.google.com/ie
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.google.com
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir...r=6&ar=msnhome
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir...ie&ar=iesearch
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir...ie&ar=iesearch
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.microsoft.com/isapi/redir.dll?prd={SUB_PRD}&clcid={SUB_CLSID}&pver={SUB_PVER}&ar=home
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.google.com/ie
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://www.google.com/keyword/%s
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = 0-1pool124-163.nas12.atlanta2.ga.us.da.qwest.net:26161
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - E:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - e:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEToolbarHelper Class - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - E:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - E:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - E:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - e:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] E:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [type32] "E:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelliPoint] "E:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\point32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE E:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "E:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "E:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [H/PC Connection Agent] "E:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESCOMM.EXE"
O4 - Global Startup: Brunel University VPN Client.lnk = C:\Program Files\Brunel University\VPN Client\ipsecdialer.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://e:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://e:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://e:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://E:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://e:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - E:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\INETREPL.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - E:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\INETREPL.DLL
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - E:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\INETREPL.DLL
O16 - DPF: {41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C} - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/...eInstaller.exe

Thanks!

[CTSNKY]

I would not be concerned, there is nothing running that looks out of place. Was your PDA in the cradle this time? Email was open, etc.

Your log is clean. Is your machine running better?

To help prevent future spyware installations/infections, please read the Anti-Spyware Section and use the tools provided.

[sboulton]

thanks for the help!

PDA was in the cradle, yep. Machine isnt running much differently im afraid. I will be running a defrag and cleansweep (takes a while on such a big disk!) and will see how it performs after this.

Hopefully there will be an improvement!

Do you know of anyway that i can cut the number of svchost.exe running?

[CTSNKY]

Have a look through this site for some good tips.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html

If your problems persist, open a new thread in the Windows XP forum for assistance.