[swhit32257]

Good Morning! My internet explorer freezes up at random times and, when this happens, the computer will not reboot when I tell it to. There is a VERY lengthy thread in the Hijackthis board with the history. Reid has been the major contact, but there have been others.

Current situation, they have the following suggestions possible, but sent me to you for confirmation (my comments will be in parenthesis):

1. Reset IE back to its defaults (done)
2. Do a repai of reinstall of IE (not sure how to repair, IE is not on add/remove list to uninstall
3. Shut down AOL stuff and see if it is an issue (I can do this if requested)
4. Try moving the host files. Move C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\etc\HOSTS out of that folder. Use IE for awhile and see if has any effect. If not move it back. (what do you think?)

Thanks,
Steve

 

[JamesO]

I will stab at this in the blind.

Does your video display ever draw from top to bottom at times?

Ctrl, Alt, Del, Task Manager.

Under the Performance tab, what does the bottom the of the box show for:
Processes?
CPU Usage?

Look at the Physical Memory area:
Total?
Available?

Contol Panel, Performance & Maintenance, what type of CPU & Speed? What amount of RAM is installed?

What type of Internet connection do you have? Who is the provider?

JamesO

 

[swhit32257]

With an AOL Spyware running (good ol' AOL), here's the lowdown:

Processes: 71
CPU Usage: 20

Total PM: 1047852
Available PM: 513256

Internet Connection: Cable Modem (Toshiba PCX1100) compliments of Comcast. I also have AOL, which also uses the cable modem for signon.

Computer Info:
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name YOUR-D137MZMHOW
System Manufacturer HP Pavilion 061
System Model PE556A-ABA M1072N
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~3001 Mhz
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 4 GenuineIntel ~3001 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 3.21, 4/29/2005
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
User Name YOUR-D137MZMHOW\Administrator
Time Zone Eastern Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 487.71 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.40 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

 

[JamesO]

My first take is you have way too many tasks running, unless there is a reason for all of them. 71 is quite a few, I think anything over 50 is pushing it.

You have also consumed about half your RAM, not as real issue as you have 1 GB, but I would like to know if you could shed 20 processes and about 256 MB of RAM usage.

Maybe spyware, maybe something else here.

I will try to look at previous posts.

JamesO

 

[swhit32257]

Thanks! I'll let you review the posts and see what you think. I'm a pro at running different system scans now, so if you want me to run anything, ask away.

 

[JamesO]

I am not a security expert, but I have had my share of issues to deal with lately and I have found that multiple cleanings are usually needed.

Here's my prescription!

Start the machine in Safe Mode with Networking. F8 while machine is booting.

Install a soft firewall like Zone Alarm. This way you can stop processes from accessing the Internet and slow the spyware/malware process. You may need to disconnect from the Internet while doing some of the scans that do not require an online connection.

1. Download and install Zone Alarm Free Firewall

Zone Alarm Free

2. Open IE, (I know, I know)

Go to this link:

Trend Micro Anti-Spyware

Then go to this link:

Tren Micro Online Virus Scan

Get rid of anything these scans find.

3. Install and run Spybot S&D v1.3, do not use v1.4 as there are some video display issues. I would enable the Tea Timer function as well.

Spybot S&D v1.3

4. While you are connected to the Internet, install and/or update AdAwareSE definations. Run AdawareSE and delete anything it finds.

AdawareSE

5. Reset IE security settings to default, delete cookies, temp files (include offline), clear history.

Reboot and see how things look.

Make sure Zone Alarm launces in Normal mode. Disable the Windows firewall if you use Zone Alarm or some other soft firewall.

6. Install and use an alternate browser like Firefox.

Firefox Browser

You still may be off to HJT depending on what is going on.

Good luck.

JamesO

 

[swhit32257]

1. Zone Alarm - already have it
2. Micro Anti-Spywary - ran, items removed
Micros Online Virus Scan - ran clean
3. Spybot - ran clean
4. Adaware - ran clean
5. IE Settings - reset
6. Firefox - I have it now. It work sometimes but not all the time and, interestingly enough, it work sometimes when IE does not.

QUESTION: How do I uninstall Internet Explorer if it is not on my add/drop list of items to removed. I can't delete the folder because it says that it is in use.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Geekgirl]

Repair or Reinstall Internet Explorer6 and Outlook Express 6

 

[swhit32257]

Finally had to break down and do an XP restore. We'll see if this helps. Trying to get all of my setting back to where they were is a pain but hopefully its worth it.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[swhit32257]

My problems are down to one. I have a couple of items under favorites that cannot be opened. I also cannot delete them. How do I get rid of them?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Geekgirl]

Try deleting them in Safe Mode