Yes the fix did take care of the errors generated by Windows Update. You should be able now to install all fixes and upcoming fixes correctly.
Programs are still a little slow ...
All of them or only Internet related ? It is known that a firewall and a Antivirus might slow down the OS a little bit. IMO, main culprit in the story is the active protection of AVG Anti-Spyware. It even slowed down my lappy which is a 2.8 GHz, same amount of ram as your PC (512)
Keep an eye on everything as I don't see anything else in your logs and don't hesitate to post back if you notice something.
Thanks for all of your help.
You're welcome, glad we could help you.
Some things you could fine tune, will free up ressources on the PC.
Something that isn't really needed, it's just to recieve info offers.
Click on
Start,
Control Panel, click on
Add/Remove Programs
Look through the installed programs for the following items and remove them if present:
Logitech Desktop Messenger
During the uninstall process, you might be presented with several prompts to guide you through uninstalling the product. Read these carefully to make sure you are actually choosing to uninstall rather than keep the software.
Run HijackThis, click on
None of the above, just start the program, click on
Scan. Put a
check in the box on the left side of the following items if still present:
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [LDM] \Program\BackWeb-8876480.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LDMConf.exe
Close
ALL windows and browsers
except HijackThis and click
Fix Checked
Tasks you could start manually or which are not needed instead of running them at boot. They will free up ressources of your computer. You can either fix them with HijackThis or use MsConfig to disable them.
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
http://support.microsoft.com/default.as ... -us;256139
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Matrox Powerdesk] C:\WINNT\System32\PDesk\PDesk.exe /Autolaunch
For Matrox video cards. Quick access to tweak your card to your liking
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Omnipage] C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPagePro11.0\opware32.exe
Part of OmniPage Pro from Scansoft (was Caere) - "the fastest, easiest way to turn paper documents into digital files you can edit." Opware32.exe links Word, via OLE, with OmniPage. If running, a user can call up OmniPage from inside of Word and ask it to scan something, via "File, Acquire Page." Also some of OmniPage's Options dialog boxes are accessible from within Word. Only required by novices and is Available via Start -> Programs
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
Logitech Mouseware driver. Needed to support some additional functionality of Logitech mice/trackballs such as "SmartMove". If you disable it and find you don't need it leave it disabled
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
This is QuickTime's system tray icon and not necessary for the program to function properly. It is considered to be a resource hog. You will still be able to start it manually if you need it. You can fix this with HijackThis, but you will need to change the setting in QuickTime Player itself to keep it from resetting itself..
There is a small program that will prevent QuickTime from resetting itself.
Please download
Engraph-QuickTime-Killer This is a free utility from EnGraph software. For more information about EnGraph, go to
http://www.engraph.com. This application is intended for people that use or consume Sprint Video Mail, as Sprint uses QuickTime for viewing thier movies. (or anybody that hates QuickTime) Of course, as soon as QuickTime is ran, it adds itself to startup, which is very annoying to me. This application will remove QuickTime from start up and kill any running QuickTime processes. This application runs silently at start up and closes itself as soon as it takes care of QuickTime.
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Picasa Media Detector] C:\Program Files\Picasa2\PicasaMediaDetector.exe
process can be removed to free up resources without compromising system performance. This is the Media detector for Picasa's automatic photo organizer. This program is not required to start automatically as you can start it manually if you need it. It is advised that you disable this program so that it does not take up necessary resources. Many users have reported this process slows their boot time.
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TraySantaCruz] C:\WINNT\system32\tbctray.exe
Provides quick access via a System Tray icon to the control panel for Turtle Beach's Santa Cruz or VideoLogic's SonicFury soundcards. Available via Start -> Settings -> Control Panel
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
Speeds up the time it takes to load the Adobe_Reader application. Your choice, but not required for Adobe Reader to function properly
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
Application which launches common MS Office components to help speed up the launch of Office programs. It's somewhat of a resource hog, and some users claim there's no difference with or without it but it usually isn't required - Note: if you make use of the Microsoft Office Shortcut Bar outside an office program this application will need to be enabled for it to show.
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
Added with WinZip version 8.1. "The new WinZip Quick Pick taskbar tray icon gives you instant access to WinZip and your Zip files. Just left click the icon to open WinZip, or right click it to instantly reopen recently used Zip files, access your Favorite Zip Folders, open WinZip Help, or start WinZip itself.". You can right-click and close it - choosing to not re-load it at start-up
If you use the WinZip system tray icon, you should leave this process running. Otherwise, this process is not required for the WinZip application to work correctly.
Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
Windows, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office Updates
Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site frequently. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
If you are running Microsoft Office, or any application of it, go to the Microsoft's Office Update site and make sure you have at least all the critical updates installed.
If you have trouble with Windows Update, you still can get all the Critical Updates, Security Fixes and Service Packs. Below are a few links to bookmark.
Microsoft Security Bulletins
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.aspx
Office downloads
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/offic ... fault.aspx
Download Center
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx
Microsoft Security Advisories
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/securi ... fault.mspx
Recently Published
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/securi ... fault.mspx
Make your Internet Explorer more secure
- From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
- Click on the Security tab
- Click the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
- Click on Default Level and click Ok
- Click on the Custom Level button.
- Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
- Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
- Change the Initialise and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
- Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
- Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
- Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
- Internet Explorer 7 users : Check all other items and make sure that they meet the (recommended) setting when applies.
- When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
- If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
- Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
Take the time to check out the following linksIntroduction to Internet Explorer 7
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspxInternet Explorer 7 features
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie7 ... fault.mspxRelease Notes for Internet Explorer 7
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/aa740486.aspxThese Release Notes give you information about installing Internet Explorer® 7 and contain information about known issues and possible workarounds for those issues.
Internet Explorer 7 Ressources - In Depth Articles - Known Issues ...
http://www.ie-vista.com/Internet Explorer7 - Phishing Filter Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/safety/ ... g/faq.mspxResources for using Internet Explorer 6
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=867470How to Configure Enhanced Security Features for Internet Explorer from Windows XP SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/securi ... secxp.mspxSafety Home
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/safety/default.mspxIEBlog
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/default.aspxMicrosoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwa ... ilies.mspxKeep your Sun Java up to dateThe most current version of Sun Java is:
Java Runtime Environment Version 6.0http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp- Scroll down to where it says "Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6".
- Click the "Download" button to the right.
- Check the box that says: "Accept License Agreement".
- The page will refresh.
- Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation, Multi-language and save it to your desktop.
- Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
- Go to Start > Control Panel double-click on Add/Remove programs and remove all older versions of Java.
- Check any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
- Click the Remove or Change/Remove button.
- Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java versions.
- Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
- Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6-windows-i586.exe to install the newest version.
And in the future, remember to remove older versions of Java when you update to a newer version to avoid exploitation of older versions left on your system.
Check out these topics for more information:
http://spywarewarrior.com/viewtopic.php?t=17910http://spywarewarrior.com/viewtopic.php?t=17598Free programs that may help you in keeping the PC clean- SpywareBlaster
SpywareBlaster will add a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
You can download SpywareBlaster here
A tutorial can be found here - SpywareGuard
It provides a degree of real-time protection solution against spyware that is a great addition to SpywareBlaster's protection method. An anti-virus program scans files before you open them and prevents execution if a virus is detected - SpywareGuard does the same thing, but for spyware. And you can easily have an anti-virus program running alongside SpywareGuard. It also features Download Protection and Browser Hijacking Protection.
You can download SpywareGuard here
A tutorial can be found here - IE-SPYAD
IE-SPYAD puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone, so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all. It basically prevents any downloads, cookies, scripts from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.
You can download IE-SPYAD here
A tutorial can be found here - Hosts File
A Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad, spyware sites etc. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer.
A tutorial tutorial can be found here
- MVPS Hosts File
You can download the MVPS Hosts File here
Furthermore the website contains useful tips and links to other resources and utilities. - Bluetack's Hosts File and Hosts Manager
Essentially based on the research made by Webhelper, Andrew Clover and Eric L. Howes, it contains most if not all the known spyware sites, sites responsible for hijacks, rogue apllications etc...
Download Bluetack's Hosts file here
Download Bluetack's HostsManager here
Free Spyware Detection and Removal Programs- Ad-Aware
It scans for known spyware on your computer. These scans should be run at least once every two weeks.
You can download Ad-Aware here
A tutorial can be found here - Spybot - Search & Destroy
It scans for spyware and other malicious programs. Spybot has preventitive tools that stop programs from even installing on your computer.
You can download Spybot - S&D here
A tutorial can be found here
Before adding any other Spyware Detection and Removal programs always check the Rogue Anti-Spyware List for programs known to be misleading, mistaken, or just outright "Foistware".
You will find the list
hereAVG Anti-Spyware (formerly Ewido)Realtime protection against these threats:
- Hijackers and Spyware
Secure surfing in the Internet without fear of annoying changes of the start page of your browser, tracking cookies and advertising bars. - Worms
Nobody should receive e-mails in your name with malicious files in the appendix anymore. - Dialers
Security against all kinds of dialers. No fear when receiving the next phone bill. - Trojans and Keyloggers
No chance for thieves to steal your bank data and personal sensitive information by tapped Internet connections, remote controlled webcams or secret keyboard recordings.
Most of you will have already the trial version of this software, which is an excellent program and particularly good at catching trojans. If you find it useful you might want to consider buying the full program. When the trial period ends the following features will stop working:
- Scheduled scans.
- Real-time monitoring of the entire system.
- Memory Scan detects active threats.
- Self-protection at kernel layer guarantees gapless monitoring.
- Automatic online-update.
The manual memory scan will work in the free version and you can manually update the definitions by clicking on the "Start Update" button under Manual update in the update module.
You can download AVG Anti-Spyware
hereAVG Anti-Spyware manual updates.
Download the
Full database to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder and install it by double clicking the file. Make sure that AVG Anti-Spyware is closed before installing the update.
WinPatrolWinPatrol uses a heuristic approach to detecting attacks and violations of your computing environment. Traditional security programs scan your hard drive searching for previously identified threats. WinPatrol takes snapshot of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge. You'll be removing dangerous new programs while others download new reference files.
- Detect & Neutralize Spyware.
- Detect & Neutralize ADware.
- Detect & Neutralize Viral infections.
- Detect & Neutralize Unwanted IE Add-Ons.
- Detect & Restore File Type Changes.
- Automatically Filter Unwanted Cookies.
- Avoid Start Page Hijacking.
- Detect changes to HOSTS & critical system files.
- Kill Multiple Tasks that replicate each other, in a single step!
- Stop programs that repeatedly add themselves to your Startup List!
Starting with WinPatrol 9.5 PLUS users also get the addition of Real-time Infiltration Detection so they'll know immediately when changes are made to critical system areas. WinPatrol Free is not demo or trial software. You're welcome to use it as long as you like.
You can download WinPatrol
hereWinPatrol
FAQSiteHound by FiretrustFiretrust introduces the SiteHound Toolbar - the safe way to browse the Internet. With SiteHound, when you browse the Internet, you're shown a warning page every time you go to a site which is a known scam, potentially loads viruses or spyware on to your computer, has questionable content or anything you would not consider reasonable. You are shown a warning page with information about that site. From there you can choose to enter the site or go back. SiteHound is a
free add-on to Internet Explorer. (Users of Firefox - a version for you is coming soon.) SiteHound's comprehensive database gathers the knowledge from other users and respected experts from the online security community to tell you which sites are real and which are bogus.
SiteHound will alert you when you enter a site which is known to contain:
- Fraudulent claims or scams
- Offensive material
- Security vulnerabilities
- Spyware or Adware
- Spam related material
- or other content deemed to be unsafe
Specifically, SiteHound blocks these categories:
• Adult • Spyware • Spam Advertising • Phishing • Possible scam or fraud • Misleading or False Advertising
• Pharming • Rogue or Suspect Product • Adware • Malware or Virus
System Requirements:
Internet Explorer 5.5+ and Windows 95/98/NT 4/ME/2000/XP
Product Info & Download:
SiteHound Toolbar
For advanced users : ProcessGuard
ProcessGuard blocks rootkits, prevents spyware, guards your computer from DLL trojans...
For more information take a moment to read the
Introduction and the
Known Attacks information pages.
You can download Process Guard
here
For advanced users : System Safety Monitor
System Safety Monitor (SSM) allows you to track down Microsoft Windows operating system activity in real-time and to prevent undesirable actions from various malware and spyware programs. SSM's main goal is to discover and block malicious actions of any application.
For more information take a moment to read the
Main features of the program.
You can download SSM
here
Use an AntiVirus Software
It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future. See the link below for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs.
Computer Safety On line - Anti-Virus
http://www.malwareremoval.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=53#53
Update your Anti Virus Software
It is imperative that you update your Anti virus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your anti virus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
Use a Firewall
I can not stress enough how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. For an article on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below.
Computer Safety On line - Software Firewalls
http://www.malwareremoval.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=56#56
A tutorial on
Understanding and Using Firewalls can be found
here
Additional Information
For more information about Spyware, the tools available, and other informative material, including information on how you may have been infected in the first place, please check out
this link.
A very nice collection of tutorials is available at Bleeping Computer
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/
Finally, after following up on all these recommendations, why not run Jason Levine's Browser Security Tests ?
They will provide you with an insight on how vulnerable you might still be to a number of common exploits.
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
Happy surf.
Kim