Computer Problem: Taskbar & Icons Disappear, computer notoriously slow help?

FREEPers who know more than me | 09/17/10 | Recovering_Democrat

[Recovering_Democrat]

I am posting this in general/chat. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it.

I am running Windows XP on my desktop, all service packs okay.

My icons and taskbar will disappear/reappear...usually I can get them back by opening task manager and "bringing to front" a program.

The thing is running notoriously slow. My McAfee is finding some viruses and quarantining them, but it is driving me CRAZY.

Also, for no reason, my web browsers (explorer AND Firefox) will suddenly open these "web sites" for "work at home" opportunities...I've never asked for these sites to open, they just do it on their own...

ugh. I am in need of some computer genius advice. Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

[Mygirlsmom]

Yes. Combofix but only from bleepingcomputer.com and then SuperAntiSpyware. I have yet to have had to reinstall an OS if you can get this duo to run.

[weef]

My father just had a nasty malware issue that took some time to clean up. He's also running Windows XP. Here's what I did:

• Download, install, and run MalwareBytes. You may not be able to even install or run this if things are really bad.
• Download, install, and run SUPERAntiSpyware.
• Download the trial version of Kaspersky, install, and run.

As someone else suggested you may need to run each of these numerous times.

[eyedigress]

No hoax at all. It is powerful and removes the bug.

[Archytekt]

sounds like some variant of Alueron.H Virus, disabled my restore function, redirected web searches, popped up browsers, disable windows update, on and on.

I messed with it for about a week and ultimately had to reformat my hard drive, then two more days of updating and reloading software but purring like a kitten now.

good luck!

[eyedigress]

It works yet depending on the infiltration will be determined by the reboots. That other crap is just that.

[Mygirlsmom]

and recommend to the novice or home user AVG…

uhg...IMHO, AVG is a resource hog and will slow down many home systems, especially older computers that don't have a lot of RAM. I like Avast! better.

[library user]

you must have another version then, as the author/developer himself says combofix.org is not owned or run by him.

[eyedigress]

Of course not. Now you now the power. It can actually get into your Basic Input..Output System and fool the actuary. It is then identified and eradicated.

[Lucky9teen]

My suggestions:

First - Remove McAfee (completely). Many have found that this program (and Norton) are not as affective as other products at finding and removing viruses/malware and cause your system to run super slow because they take up SO much of your systems resources.

Second - download AVG Free anti-virus. It is very effective at protecting your computer and does not take up much of your system resources at all.

Third - download Malwarebytes. It is free and is very effective at removing malware/spyware/viruses that many other programs do not catch.

Fourth - download CC Cleaner. This program is effective in cleaning/fixing registry errors and cleans out your system temporary files/cache.

[library user]

WHAT?!?!

[GOPJ]

I use Zone Alarm - never seem to have a problem...

[library user]

McAfee sucks so bad that they (McAfee) actually issued their OWN removal tool for it. To totally remove McAfee (recommended), the removal tool link is provided below:

http://majorgeeks.com/McAfee_Consumer_Product_Removal_Tool_d5420.html

[Lucky9teen]

Also, if it hasn’t been suggested, run Malwarebytes in Safe Mode.

And a good place to get more information on malware/virus removal info (and just general computer software info) is www.majorgeeks.com.

They can also help you fix a problem.

[eyedigress]

Its the executables that is shunned. I’m trying. It gets a 0 and remove if that helps. :^)

[library user]

Yeah, some of those have to be run as .scr, .pif or .com to work.

[PuzzledInTX]

bfl

[JerseyHighlander]

From the sounds of what you have here, no matter how many of the above mentioned tools you use.... there is NO way to know if you are running a uninfected machine even after successfully running the above mentioned programs.

A small variant in the rootkit virus will leave traces of the rootkit on your machine and can fundamentally alter the OS in ways not seen by any of the above mentioned programs.

I highly suggest you go about reformatting your hard drive, or for that matter, go out and buy a new physical hard drive and reinstall WinXP onto that new drive.

ALSO AS NOTED ABOVE, COMBOFIX.ORG IS A MALWARE WEBSITE POSING AS A LEGITIMATE ANTI-MALWARE SITE.

ONLY DOWNLOAD THE COMBOFIX PROGRAM FROM www.bleepingcomputer.com !!!

[ntmxx]

“…uhg...IMHO…”

Okay, so you’re saying ZoneAlarm is fine…everyone is free to pick their poison. My preference for older and low-end units is Kaspersky. The problem with the many types of security apps becomes how much effort and user interaction some are willing to be involved with.

Just keep in mind, most people having these types of problems are operating on marginal conditions; further, newer hardware does not have similar or noticeable limitations and the stuff has become very affordable.

[eyedigress]

A Combofix.exe will do wonders

[Castigar]

“Malwarebytes is excellent, but it can’t always fix the problem of rogue drivers and especially not locked registry keys.”

I agree it can’t fix everything but it can eliminate alot pf problems. It’s bailed me out a few times - even one particularly troublesome infection that made it’s way through our work computers that sounds similar to at least part of the stated problem.

Usually a combination of anti-spy/malware programs will do it (different ones catch different things) - though you will have to do an occaisional manual removal - what a pain.

You really want to strangle the people who write these things!