Member Avatar for specialk440

My computer is slow, showing explorer.exe running @ 99% usage, ran AVG scan and had no changes. Here's my hijack this scan, please help. Be advised: I am not that computer savvy, and don't know what most of this means. Thanks.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 6:58:24 AM, on 5/25/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16640)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cisvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G PCI Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon04.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnf.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqimzone.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqSTE08.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgrsx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgemc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL =
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) =
O1 - Hosts: casinocontroller.com
O1 - Hosts: casinocontroller.com
O1 - Hosts: casinocontroller.com
O1 - Hosts: casinocontroller.com
O1 - Hosts: casinocontroller.com
O1 - Hosts: casinocontroller.com
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {84886D53-054B-47D7-8225-81A94AA795B8} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\docprop2f.dll (file missing)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DwlClient] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Dell\EUSW\Support.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb05.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Share-to-Web Namespace Daemon] C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHmon04] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG8_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [updateMgr] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AdobeUpdateManager.exe" AcRdB7_0_8 -reboot 1
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSI Configuration] msiconf.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Photosmart Premier Fast Start.lnk = C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqthb08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {01111F00-3E00-11D2-8470-0060089874ED} (Support.com Installer) -
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {1D4DB7D2-6EC9-47A3-BD87-1E41684E07BB} -
O16 - DPF: {230C3D02-DA27-11D2-8612-00A0C93EEA3C} (SAXFile FileUpload ActiveX Control) -
O16 - DPF: {3BFFE033-BF43-11D5-A271-00A024A51325} (iNotes6 Class) -
O16 - DPF: {406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0} (Snapfish Activia) - http://photo.walgreens.com/WalgreensActivia.cab
O16 - DPF: {9522B3FB-7A2B-4646-8AF6-36E7F593073C} (cpbrkpie Control) - http://a19.g.
O16 - DPF: {A18962F6-E6ED-40B1-97C9-1FB36F38BFA8} (Aurigma Image Uploader 3.0 Control) - http://www.winkflash.com/photo/loaders/ImageUploader3.cab
O16 - DPF: {A78856A6-334B-43AF-96F5-58574005910D} (CEinstaller Object) -
O16 - DPF: {A7EA8AD2-287F-11D3-B120-006008C39542} (CBSTIEPrint Class) -
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {F00F4763-7355-4725-82F7-0DA94A256D46} (IMDownloader Class) - http://www2.incredimail.com/contents/setup/downloader/imloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {F04A8AE2-A59D-11D2-8792-00C04F8EF29D} (Hotmail Attachments Control) -
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgpp.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: avgrsstx.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WLCtrl32 - WLCtrl32.dll (file missing)
O23 - Service: AVG8 E-mail Scanner (avg8emc) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG8 WatchDog (avg8wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPH11 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\System32\HPHipm11.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: WMP54Gv4SVC - GEMTEKS - C:\Program Files\Linksys Wireless-G PCI Wireless Network Monitor\WLService.exe

--
End of file - 7918 bytes

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  • 1 Day Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by crunchie

Dani AI

Generated

The symptom (Explorer.exe at ~99% CPU) plus the HijackThis-style entries already posted point to two likely areas: a browser/search hijack and something loading into Explorer (shell extension, BHO or a hooked DLL). is on the right track with the removers and scheduled-tasks check; those are sensible first steps. The next phase should be targeted diagnostics so cleanup is surgical rather than destructive.

Prioritized diagnostics (in order): boot to Safe Mode and note whether Explorer is still pegged; if the problem disappears it strongly suggests a third-party extension or service. Use a process-inspection tool that shows loaded modules and threads for explorer.exe (look for which thread or DLL is using the CPU). If that points to a non-Microsoft module, disable or remove it. If Safe Mode still shows high CPU, suspect a deeper system issue or rootkit and escalate to rootkit-specific checks.

Practical remediation steps: back up the hosts file and registry first. Inspect and clean the hosts file at C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts (remove unauthorized mappings). In Internet Explorer, disable unknown BHOs/toolbars via Manage Add-ons and consider resetting IE settings. Use a shell-extension viewer to disable non-Microsoft context-menu and explorer extensions, then reboot to test. If system DLLs appear missing or corrupted, run System File Checker (SFC /scannow) from a recovery/administrative environment (XP requires the original CD).

Scans and cautions: run a current anti‑malware scanner (full system scan) and, if indicated, a reputable rootkit scanner. Create a System Restore point and back up critical files before removals. Avoid running aggressive automated fixes without saving logs. After following ’s removal steps and the checks above, provide updated HijackThis and any removal-tool report files so the remaining symptoms can be verified and the cleanup steps confirmed.

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Member Avatar for crunchie

Hi and welcome to the Daniweb forums :).

==========

Can you please do the following.


===============

Remove(uninstall) the 'lop' infection by going to , then downloading and running the uninstaller(s) that relate to the application(s) your wanting to remove. The following selections are available: "Start page", "Search engine", "Accessories Toolbar".

After uninstalling any (or all) of the above, let's see if we have anything in "Scheduled Tasks":

Download, unzip and run ScheduledTasks.bat (courtesy of ddeerrff), and when notepad comes up, post the contents back to this thread.

===============

Scan with HijackThis and then place a check next to all the following, if present:


R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) =

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {84886D53-054B-47D7-8225-81A94AA795B8} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\docprop2f.dll (file missing)

O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - (no file)

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSI Configuration] msiconf.exe

O16 - DPF: {01111F00-3E00-11D2-8470-0060089874ED} (Support.com Installer) -
O16 - DPF: {1D4DB7D2-6EC9-47A3-BD87-1E41684E07BB} -
O16 - DPF: {9522B3FB-7A2B-4646-8AF6-36E7F593073C} (cpbrkpie Control) -
O16 - DPF: {A7EA8AD2-287F-11D3-B120-006008C39542} (CBSTIEPrint Class) -

O20 - Winlogon Notify: WLCtrl32 - WLCtrl32.dll (file missing)


Now, close all instances of Internet Explorer and any other windows you have open except HiJackThis, click "Fix checked".

===============

Locate and delete the following item(s), if present. Make sure you are able to view system and hidden files/ folders:

Search for...

msiconf.exe

...using "Start | Search...".

-

Note that some of these file(s)/folder(s) may or may not be present. If present, and cannot be deleted because they're 'in use', try deleting them in Safe Mode by doing the following:

  • Restart your computer
  • After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, press F8.
  • Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu should appear.

Select the first option to run Windows in Safe Mode hit enter.

-

Reboot.

===============

To help protect your system from hostile ActiveX content, or special 'downloadable' files:

Download, install and keep updated, SpywareBlaster. If you've installed it for the first time:

1) Check for any available updates; if present, they'll be automatically downloaded and installed.
2) Next, "Enable all protection".
3) Exit the program.

-

Note: Remember to regularly check for updates.

===============

Download
SDFix
and save it to your desktop.

Please then reboot your computer in Safe Mode by doing the
following :

  • Restart your computer
  • After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the
    Windows icon appears, tap the F8 key continually;
  • Instead of Windows loading as normal, a menu with options should appear;
  • Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode, then press "Enter".
  • Choose your usual account.
  • In Safe Mode, right click the SDFix.zip folder and choose Extract
    All    ,
  • Open the extracted folder and double click RunThis.bat to
    start the script.
  • Type Y to begin the script.
  • It will remove the Trojan Services then make some repairs to the
    registry and prompt you to press any key to Reboot.
  • Press any Key and it will restart the PC.
  • Your system will take longer that normal to restart as the fixtool
    will be running and removing files.
  • When the desktop loads the Fixtool will complete the removal and
    display Finished, then press any key to end the script and load
    your desktop icons.
  • Finally open the SDFix folder on your desktop and copy and paste the
    contents of the results file Report.txt back onto the forum with
    a new HijackThis log
Member Avatar for specialk440

scheduled tasks:

Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is 3428-A6E7

Directory of c:\windows\tasks

12/03/2005 12:38 PM <DIR> .
12/03/2005 12:38 PM <DIR> ..
08/29/2002 06:00 AM 65 DESKTOP.INI
05/26/2008 02:54 PM 6 SA.DAT
2 File(s) 71 bytes
2 Dir(s) 26,392,260,608 bytes free
--
HR C:\windows\tasks\DESKTOP.INI
A H C:\windows\tasks\SA.DAT

Member Avatar for crunchie

Please read my last post again and follow ALL the instructions.

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