Hi all,
I have AVG anti virus software and Super Anti Spyware (both free) loaded on my Win XP machine. When I run them they seem to constantly pick up spyware etc. But after I clean up what they find it is still running very slow. Even to open a browser is slow.
Can anyone help me out as to what would be the next step to do? I am a Software tester so I'm kind of medium techy and don't mind doing stuff myself any help is greatly appreciated... dano

Hello Dano

Please run all the 5 steps listed here (http://securitynewsfromthenet.blogspot.com/2007/05/spyware-fighter-essentials.html)

And please post a hijackthis (http://www.filehippo.com/download_hijackthis/) log if you still have any problems after running all the steps.

Thanks for the help. When I tried to download/run Adblock plus and noscript I got a message, "Illegal operation strongly advised to restart Netscape" and then Netscape would open.

Here is my HJT log...
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 20:36, on 2008-05-20
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:\WINDOWS\arservice.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\AluSchedulerSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PifSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PSIService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ARPWRMSG.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\Program Files\Sonic\DigitalMedia Plus\DigitalMedia Archive\DMAScheduler.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPwuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead Photo Express 5 SE\calcheck.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PifSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\AceBIT\WISE-FTP\WF_Scheduler.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\FINDFAST.EXE
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Yahoo! Music Jukebox\ymetray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehmsas.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\HP_Administrator\Desktop\HiJackThis(2).ex e

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=Q106&bd=pavilion&pf=desktop
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = MSN.com (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = Live Search (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Live Search (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896)
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = MSN.com (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = AOL.com - Welcome to AOL (http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=EN_US&c=Q106&bd=pavilion&pf=desktop)
R3 - URLSearchHook: Harmony Hollow Software Toolbar - {3806b089-6759-411d-b2c3-b7995a9f34d7} - C:\Program Files\Harmony_Hollow_Software\tbHar1.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Harmony Hollow Software Toolbar - {3806b089-6759-411d-b2c3-b7995a9f34d7} - C:\Program Files\Harmony_Hollow_Software\tbHar1.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: NCO 2.0 IE BHO - {602ADB0E-4AFF-4217-8AA1-95DAC4DFA408} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: HpWebHelper - {AAAE832A-5FFF-4661-9C8F-369692D1DCB9} - C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\plugin\WebHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {7FEBEFE3-6B19-4349-98D2-FFB09D4B49CA} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: Harmony Hollow Software Toolbar - {3806b089-6759-411d-b2c3-b7995a9f34d7} - C:\Program Files\Harmony_Hollow_Software\tbHar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [ehTray] C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [AlwaysReady Power Message APP] ARPWRMSG.EXE
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [HPHUPD08] c:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\{33D6CC28-9F75-4d1b-A11D-98895B3A3729}\hphupd08.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [DMAScheduler] c:\Program Files\Sonic\DigitalMedia Plus\DigitalMedia Archive\DMAScheduler.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [HPBootOp] "C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Boot Optimizer\HPBootOp.exe" /run
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [PS2] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPwuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [Ulead Photo Express Calendar Checker] C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead Photo Express 5 SE\calcheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [masqform.exe] C:\Program Files\PureEdge\Viewer 6.1\masqform.exe /RegServer -UpdateCurrentUser
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [Symantec PIF AlertEng] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PifSvc.exe" /a /m "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\AlertEng.dll"
O4 - HKLM\.. \Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKCU\.. \Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\.. \Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\.. \Run: [updateMgr] C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AdobeUpdateManager.exe AcRdB7_0_9
O4 - HKCU\.. \Run: [Wise-FTP Scheduler] C:\Program Files\AceBIT\WISE-FTP\WF_Scheduler.exe
O4 - HKCU\.. \Run: [SpybotSD TeaTimer] C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
O4 - HKCU\.. \Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Find Fast.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\FINDFAST.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: QNEORG.lnk = C:\Program Files\Stay Organized Quick and Easy\QNEORG.exe
O4 - Global Startup: ymetray.lnk = C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Yahoo! Music Jukebox\ymetray.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Search - ?p=ZUxdm080YYUS
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O12 - Plugin for .UVR: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPUPano.dll
O16 - DPF: {3BFFE033-BF43-11D5-A271-00A024A51325} (iNotes6 Class) - https://usbportal.usbank.com/iNotes6W.cab,DanaInfo=EPEM615.us.bank-dns.com,CT=java+
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://gfx2.hotmail.com/mail/w2/pr02/resources/MSNPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {6A344D34-5231-452A-8A57-D064AC9B7862} (Symantec Download Manager) - https://webdl.symantec.com/activex/symdlmgr.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\AluSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\LuComServer_3_4.EXE
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate Notice Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\PIF\{B8E1DD85-8582-4c61-B58F-2F227FCA9A08}\PifSvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: ProtexisLicensing - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\PSIService.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe

--
End of file - 8753 bytes

Even to open a browser is slow.

After checking you logs I see the reason your browser starts slow is because you have too many BHO(02) and tool bars (03)

The below ones are bad ,check and click fix


O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: NCO 2.0 IE BHO - {602ADB0E-4AFF-4217-8AA1-95DAC4DFA408} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {7FEBEFE3-6B19-4349-98D2-FFB09D4B49CA} - (no file)
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Search - ?p=ZUxdm080YYUS


Also you have a lot of programs start up when your computer starts (O4) which takes up a lot of memory.
paste you log in the HiJackThis! Log auto analyzer and it will highlight the programs which are un-necessary

1 Check and remove all R0,R1,R3,02,03,08,09,012

2 Click start>click run type in msconfig and then press enter. Go to the start up tab and uncheck everything except your anti virus.click OK and reboot. When you come back to the desktop check the box 'do not show this message again" and click OK .

3 Run a complete scan with Dr.Web CureIt! – download free anti-virus! Cure viruses, Best free anti-virus scanner! (http://www.freedrweb.com/)

Other recommendations replace your anti virus symantec with another anti virus programs like avg.

Wow... thanks a lot for the help, it is running much better. Can you explain again how to do this part? I couldn't find where the hjt auto analyzer is located?
Paste you log in the HiJackThis! Log auto analyzer and it will highlight the programs which are un-necessary

Help... now I have some real trouble. It was running good last night. This morning, I noticed it was rebooted and the screen for Safe mode, restart in Win xp or restore system was up. I tried the one choice to continue to open in Win xp but it kept rebooting back to the same screen. I finally selected restore system. Now all documents, all our personal stuff is now gone...
What do I do now? How can I get back all our files, pictures etc? Thanks..

You will have to do a system restore back to today "if " today's date is highlighted.

Never do a system restore when you have a virus issue. The virus gets stored in the system restore folder and if you restore to that date it will come back.

Does it matter at all if it is a HP machine? I saw an article on the internet that said it depends on whether a person chose Recovery or Restore. I think I chose Recovery...

How do I do a system restore back to today "if " today's date is highlighted. I don't see any date when I go into system restore all is shows is a checkbox for turning off system restore on all drives and the available drives which are c and d

How to restore the operating system to a previous state in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084)