What is hapenning to my computer

[tn2006]

My XP desktop was fine before. For the last few days it was running so slowly and getting slower slower by day. And today, it frozen everytime when I tried to open ANY applications (window explore, cotrol pannel......). Looked at Task Manager-----Performance, and saw CPUsage at 100% eventhough no software/application running. What can be happenned?

It's P4, XP2.

PS. Last few days, I downloaded the software dvdfab (not from this site). I think when I dl the software it contains the virus. The problems come after I dl it (I think). Could it be? Tried to delete but can't because computer frozen right after I open any applications. Basicaly, I can log-in, but when I open any software/application, it seems trying to open but can't. Everything seems freze

[MI6]

Download and instal "Malwarebytes anti-malware" Run the program and scan whole computer for malware.
Regards.

[tn2006]

My computer has Spybot & Destroy, antivirus Avira, Ad-Ware, and firewall Codomo. The problem is I can't open any of them. Tried to open and computer seem running forever. Open the Tsk Manager ----> Perfomance and CPU usage runs at full 100%

[Number Six]

Open Task Manager, find the process that says it is using the highest CPU usage, highlight it, and then click END PROCESS.

Now you will be able to scan the computer for any Spyware and / or Viruses.

[victoriabears]

I have had this problem a few times.

I now have avira anti virus, spybot , and scan every few days with lavasoft.

I also set my internet explorer options to ask me before every cookie is stored.

Win patrol plus is also good.

You may need to do the scan in safe mode, re-boot xp, and as it boots hit F5 and F8 again and agin until it boots into the option for safe mode.

Also, click run, msconfig, as the spyware is probbbaly in your strt up options, you need to get it outta there.

These things can reinstall themselves many times and you need to ensure you have good anti virus running of you download stuff.

[wtsinnc]

Hello tn2006;

-Question-
Have you attempted to use system restore ?
If not, try to restore your computer to a time prior to when you downloaded DVDFab.

-Question-
Have you been able to download Malwarebytes and scan your computer ?
If you are unable to download/install/update Malwarebytes or scan with it, try doing so in safe mode with networking. While still in safe mode with networking, it will be useful to also scan with your antivirus application. Finally, (if you don't already have it installed), download/install CCleaner and run it to remove junk.
It will run in safe mode with networking.
***VERY IMPORTANT***
Many types of malware are self-replicating; that is, they are designed to reproduce themselves. Other types of malware hide in backup files and are not eliminated by conventional methods.
If you have been unable to successfully restore your computer by the above proceedures, while still in safe mode with networking, turn system restore off and scan again. Quarantine any malware found.

-Reboot in normal mode.

If your computer now runs normally, turn system restore back on and reboot in normal mode once again. This will establish a new restore point.


If your install of DVDFab (I'm assuming you are referring to DVDFab 5) is corrupted, uninstall that instance and download/install from a reputable source only. The "Tools" section of this website provides safe links to the application.

Please post with the results.

Goodluck !

[aedipuss]

some recent virus/trojans are nearly impossible to clean out completely. i've found it easier and faster to reformat the hard drive and re-install windows on some. boot with a linux cd distro like knoppix and copy off any data files you need first and then redo the computer.

just a heads up - almost all the keygens/cracks you can download off the net are infected with something.......

[tn2006]

Thanks for all the helps, guys. I am now at work. Will be working on it when I get home.

I will try to do as Number Six's advice first because it's easy
If I can't, then I will run in Safe Mode as Vitoriabears and Wtsinnc's

Wtsinnc:

I've never used system before. How to?
I am unable to dl Malwarebytes and scan the computer.

Aedpiuss:

Reformat the hard drive will be the last resource. Hopefully never got there.

After dl dvdfab to my computer, before I ran it I scanned with avira anti virus showed no virus. Darn, I thought I was careful.

I will update the results.

[wtsinnc]

tn2006;

To restore to an earlier time; this article from microsoft.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

Hopefully, system restore will at least allow you to scan.
-if not-
You could very likely have to format/reinstall.

[Ai Haibara]

Stupid question, perhaps, but do the problems persist if you reboot?

[wtsinnc]

Rebooting in itself will not remove malware. Rebooting (as mentioned in my first post) is merely to reset the system restore point because turning off system restore erases all restore points.
Note that I suggested he first attempt reverting to an earlier restore point as the first option.
Turning off system restore was the next option,
-then scan,
-then reboot,
-then turn system restore back on,
-then reboot.

Malware identification and removal is a trial and error process.
Even when dealing with identified malware and trusted antivirus/antispyware application(s) you often don't know know if the problem has been successfully eliminated until you reboot as doing so restarts those system processes that were affected.
A clean reboot generally indicates the malware has been removed.

[Ai Haibara]

I wasn't referring to the possibility of malware. Actually, I was going back to the original post (probably should've made that clearer) and wondering if the OP had tried to reboot - sometimes, that'll fix oddball behavior in Windows.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

What can be happenned?

Somebody set you up the bomb.

[jagabo]

All your base are belong to us.

[tn2006]

Hi guys, so busy yesterday couldn't find the time to work on the computer. Just got it few things today. Here were what I did.

Task Manager ---- Performance -------I had chosen end process on Tea Timer (this file is comes together when I down load SpyBot & Destroy, it makes CPU runs at 95%). Then I was able to run antivirus and spyware.

This were what I found:

Avira Antivirus : couln't fine any
Spy Bot & Destroy: Problem found: 1 (zango)
Ad-award 2008: Item detected: 3
Spyer Anti Spyware: Thread Description: 3

I deleted them all. Rescaned them second time, nothing found. Restarted the computer. However, problem still. End Process the Tea Timer seems fixing the problem?. Decided to uninstall the Spy Bot & Destroy, now computer seems running ok. Too bad because I really like Spy Bot & Destroy. Didn't have problem before though.

And tried to do system restore but the problem is for some reason the date & time in my computer are not right. Date shows back in 2003. Fixed it but when shut down and on computer, wrong date & time are back. When created system restore, it shows back in 2003, I am confused??

[Number Six]

OK - I did a search for Tea Timer, it is part of SpyBot, and it can be disabled in the Advanced settings for SpyBot.

http://www.malwarehelp.org/how-to-enabledisable-spybot-teatimer.html



Your clock is not keeping time after you shut down your computer because the battery on the motherboard is most likely dead. Modern computers usually use a battery the size of a quarter - probably CR2032 - and they cost less than $5 at Radio Shack. They are very easy to replace, but you have to go inside the computer case to get to it. Look at it before you go buy one so that you get the right number.

[Ai Haibara]

What version of Spybot were you running? Did you make sure you had all the latest definition updates, as well?

Yeah, the resident TeaTimer protection can tie up a lot of memory, sometimes... or at least, it occasionally seems that way. I still feel better if it's running, though.

Look at it before you go buy one so that you get the right number.

Of course, if the battery is dead, it also might not hurt to remove it and take it with you when you go battery-shopping.

[glockjs]

i dont see anybody mentioning it but its best to try and clean your computer in safe mode :/

[ahhaa]

Does your computer act the same when disconnected from the net?
You may have a zombie there, busily processing for a bot net...

A few processes, like downloading pdfs, or antivirus programs updating their indexes, can freeze up XP machines temporarily.

Teatimer is part of Spybot:
The Resident TeaTimer is a tool of Spybot-S&D which perpetually monitors the processes called/initiated. It immediately detects known malicious processes wanting to start and terminates them giving you some options, how to deal with this process in the future. You can set TeaTimer to:
* be informed, when the process tries to start again
* automatically kill the process
* or generally allow the process to run
There is also an option to delete the file associated with this process.
more at their website: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/faq/33.html
here too: http://www.malwarehelp.org/how-to-enabledisable-spybot-teatimer.html

In addition, TeaTimer detects when something wants to change some critical registry keys. TeaTimer can protect you against such changes again giving you an option: You can either Allow or Deny the change. The TeaTimer is always running in the background.

To check if your mobo's battery is dead, turn the computer off but leave it plugged in. Wait a while & turn it on. If the date is retained, try it again but this time unplug the machine from the AC power. IF the date is gone, so is your battery.

My recommendation would be to stop trying to fix this yourself; you don't know enough yet to keep from making it worse. Sorry. You should find a friend or somebody (not necessarily from a store) who has been through this before- or you risk losing any data on your HD.