Initial tasks take too long to run, after booting.

I run Windows XP, which appears to load as normal. However, when I run any task, they take anything from 5-10 minutes to load up!! Task manager shows that the Idle Process is recording 99%, ie nothing else appears to be running. The last time I loaded, after 30 minutes, activity started and everything appeared to then operate as normal.
I have checked that Windows is uptodate, and have run CCleaner, Malwarebytes, Spybot and McAfee.
What is causing the delay in tasks? And how can I correct it?

Hello and welcome to GeekPolice.Net My name is Dave. I will be helping you out with your particular problem on your computer.

1. I will be working on your Malware issues. This may or may not solve other issues you have with your machine.
2. The fixes are specific to your problem and should only be used for this issue on this machine.
3. If you don't know or understand something, please don't hesitate to ask.
4. Please DO NOT run any other tools or scans while I am helping you.
5. It is important that you reply to this thread. Do not start a new topic.
6. Your security programs may give warnings for some of the tools I will ask you to use. Be assured, any links I give are safe.
7. Absence of symptoms does not mean that everything is clear.

If you can't access the internet with your infected computer you will have to download and transfer any programs to the computer you're using now and transfer them to the infected computer with a CD-RW or a USB storage device. I prefer a CD because a storage device can get infected. If you use a storage device hold the shift key down while inserting the USB storage device for about 10 secs. You will also have to transfer the logs you receive back to the good computer using the same method until we can get the computer back on-line.
*************************************************************************
Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your Desktop.

Before starting AdwCleaner, close all open programs and internet browsers, then double-click on the AdwCleaner icon.



If Windows prompts you as to whether or not you wish to run AdwCleaner, please allow it to run.
When the AdwCleaner program will open, click on the Scan button as shown below.



AdwCleaner will now start to search for malicious files that may be installed on your computer.
To remove the files that were detected in the previous step, please click on the Clean button.



AdwCleaner will now prompt you to save any open files or data as the program will need to reboot the computer. Please do so and then click on the OK button. AdwCleaner will now delete all detected adware from your computer. When it is done it will display an alert that explains what PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Programs) and Adware are. Please read through this information and then press the OK button. You will now be presented with an alert that states AdwCleaner needs to reboot your computer.
Please click on the OK button to allow AdwCleaner reboot your computer.A log will be produced. Please copy and paste this log in your next reply.
*********************************************
Malwarebytes' Anti-Rootkit

Please download Malwarebytes' Anti-Rootkit and save it to your desktop.

• Be sure to print out and follow the instructions provided on that same page for performing a scan.
  
• Caution: This is a beta version so also read the disclaimer and back up all your data before using.
  
• When the scan completes, click on the Cleanup button to remove any threats found and reboot the computer if prompted to do so.
  
• Perform another scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit to verify that no threats remain. If they do, then click Cleanup once more and repeat the process.
  
• If there are problems with Internet access, Windows Update, Windows Firewall or other system issues, run the fixdamage tool located in the folder Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit was run from and reboot your computer.
  
• Two files (mbar-log-YYYY-MM-DD, system-log.txt) will be created and saved within that same folder.
  
• Copy and paste the contents of these two log files in your next reply.
  

*************************************************
Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.

•Warning! Once the scan is complete JRT will shut down your browser with NO warning.

•Shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts.

•Temporarily disable your Antivirus and any Antispyware real time protection before performing a scan. Click this link to see a list of security programs that should be disabled and how to disable them.

•Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7, right-click JRT and select Run as Administrator

•The tool will open and start scanning your system.

•Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.

•On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.

•Copy and Paste the JRT.txt log into your next message.
*****************************************
Download Security Check by screen317 from one of the following links and save it to your desktop.

Link 1
Link 2

* Double-click Security Check.bat
* Follow the on-screen instructions inside of the black box.
* A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt
* Post the contents of that document in your next reply.

Note: If a security program requests permission from dig.exe to access the Internet, allow it to do so.

Thanks for this set of instructions. I will post them as I go - unless you advise otherwise.
So ADWCleaner ran - finding errors only in teh Registry:
# AdwCleaner v3.216 - Report created 24/07/2014 at 21:57:25
# Updated 17/07/2014 by Xplode
# Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (32 bits)
# Username : Yule family - YULES
# Running from : C:\Documents and Settings\Yule family\Desktop\adwcleaner_3.216 (1).exe
# Option : Scan

***** [ Services ] *****


***** [ Files / Folders ] *****


***** [ Shortcuts ] *****


***** [ Registry ] *****

Key Found : HKCU\Software\AppDataLow\{1146AC44-2F03-4431-B4FD-889BC837521F}
Key Found : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{6A1806CD-94D4-4689-BA73-E35EA1EA9990}
Key Found : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Management\ARPCache\UpdaterEX
Key Found : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Settings\{2318C2B1-4965-11D4-9B18-009027A5CD4F}
Key Found : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Ext\Stats\{2318C2B1-4965-11D4-9B18-009027A5CD4F}
Key Found : HKCU\Software\UpdaterEX
Key Found : HKLM\Software\{3A7D3E19-1B79-4E4E-BD96-5467DA2C4EF0}
Key Found : HKLM\Software\{6791A2F3-FC80-475C-A002-C014AF797E9C}
Key Found : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1AA60054-57D9-4F99-9A55-D0FBFBE7ECD3}
Key Found : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{2318C2B1-4965-11D4-9B18-009027A5CD4F}
Key Found : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Google\Chrome\Extensions\bopakagnckmlgajfccecajhnimjiiedh
Key Found : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes\{6A1806CD-94D4-4689-BA73-E35EA1EA9990}
Key Found : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Management\ARPCache\NetCrawl
Value Found : HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar\WebBrowser [{2318C2B1-4965-11D4-9B18-009027A5CD4F}]
Value Found : HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar [{2318C2B1-4965-11D4-9B18-009027A5CD4F}]

***** [ Browsers ] *****

-\\ Internet Explorer v8.0.6001.18702


-\\ Google Chrome v36.0.1985.125

[ File : C:\Documents and Settings\Arnie Yule delet\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Documents and Settings\Yule family\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]

Found [Search Provider] : hxxp://uk.ask.com/web?q={searchTerms}
Found [Search Provider] : hxxp://search.conduit.com/Results.aspx?ctid=CT3316243&octid=EB_ORIGINAL_CTID&SearchSource=58&CUI=&UM=2&UP=SP58199B81-6A1D-46DD-A453-E720C2BAACA8&q={searchTerms}&SSPV=
Found [Extension] : bopakagnckmlgajfccecajhnimjiiedh

*************************

AdwCleaner[R1].txt - [2481 octets] - [24/07/2014 21:57:25]

########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[R1].txt - [2541 octets] ##########

The system rebooted ok. But my delayed operation problem persists.

You will need to run AdwCleaner again and delete the infections.

Sorry! Here it is:
# AdwCleaner v3.216 - Report created 25/07/2014 at 00:01:34
# Updated 17/07/2014 by Xplode
# Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 (32 bits)
# Username : Yule family - YULES
# Running from : C:\Documents and Settings\Yule family\Desktop\adwcleaner_3.216 (1).exe
# Option : Clean

***** [ Services ] *****


***** [ Files / Folders ] *****


***** [ Shortcuts ] *****


***** [ Registry ] *****


***** [ Browsers ] *****

-\\ Internet Explorer v8.0.6001.18702


-\\ Google Chrome v36.0.1985.125

[ File : C:\Documents and Settings\Arnie Yule delet\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


[ File : C:\Documents and Settings\Yule family\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\preferences ]


*************************

And here is the o/p of Security Check:
Results of screen317's Security Check version 0.99.86
Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86
Internet Explorer 8
``````````````Antivirus/Firewall Check:``````````````
Windows Firewall Disabled!
McAfee Security Scan Plus
McAfee Virtual Technician
McAfee SecurityCenter
`````````Anti-malware/Other Utilities Check:`````````
Spybot - Search & Destroy
CCleaner
Adobe Reader XI
Google Chrome 35.0.1916.153
Google Chrome 36.0.1985.125
````````Process Check: objlist.exe by Laurent````````
`````````````````System Health check`````````````````
Total Fragmentation on Drive C:: 7%
````````````````````End of Log``````````````````````

fyi, the problem persists.

Malwarebytes anti-root programme to follow tomorrow.

Hi Dave,
I ran malwarebyte Anti-rootkit; and it duly found some malware in a driver - as indicated below. Having removed it, I ran it again, and found nothing the second time. Unfortunately, my delayed startup problem still exists.

The txt files are:
Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit BETA 1.07.0.1012
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2014.07.25.08

Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
Yule family :: YULES [administrator]

26/07/2014 00:02:12
mbar-log-2014-07-26 (00-02-12).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Scan options enabled: Anti-Rootkit | Drivers | MBR | Physical Sectors | Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken
Scan options disabled:
Objects scanned: 511006
Time elapsed: 31 minute(s), 43 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files Detected: 1
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\{6fcd6092-9615-4f7f-8898-8df53980e5d2}Gt.sys (PUP.Optional.Sanbreel.A) -> Delete on reboot. [ba7854062128904b588bf5ec9e2e72fb]

Physical Sectors Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

(end)
______________________

Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit BETA 1.07.0.1012
www.malwarebytes.org

Database version: v2014.07.25.08

Windows XP Service Pack 3 x86 NTFS
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
Yule family :: YULES [administrator]

26/07/2014 00:45:52
mbar-log-2014-07-26 (00-45-52).txt

Scan type: Quick scan
Scan options enabled: Anti-Rootkit | Drivers | MBR | Physical Sectors | Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken
Scan options disabled:
Objects scanned: 510822
Time elapsed: 23 minute(s), 44 second(s)

Memory Processes Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Files Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Physical Sectors Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)

(end)
_____________________

However, I am not sure which run of the Toolkit created them.

Please do this even if you don't have the OS disk and report the results

Do you have an XP CD?

If so, place it in your CD ROM drive and follow the instructions below:
•Click on Start > Run and type sfc /scannow then press Enter (note the space between scf and /scannow)
*Let this run undisturbed until the window with the blue progress bar goes away
SFC - Which stands for System File Checker, retrieves the correct version of the file from %Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache or the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file.

Hi again,
I have run SCF. It mandated that a disk was supplied. I dug out a Service pack CD, which seemed to satisfy it. There were 7-8 occurrences in which it the CD was prompted for.
However, having re-booted, my problem still persists.

NB When the 25-30 minute "quiescent state" comes to an end, there is a lot of McAfee activity, including warnings that Firewall was not enabled. Then updates were automatically checked for and obtained. The whole Firewall/update process ran through automatically and ended up with the system apparently working correctly.

Should I be re-checking Windows Update (since I have presumably over-written drivers from the Service Pack?).

Go to Microsoft Windows Update and get all critical updates.

I'd like to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan

•Hold down Control and click on the following link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
ESET OnlineScan

•Click the button.
•For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)

• Click on to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
  
• Double click on the icon on your desktop.
  

•Check
•Click the button.
•Accept any security warnings from your browser.

• Leave the check mark next to Remove found threats.
  

•Check
•Push the Start button.
•ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
•When the scan completes, push
•Push , and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
•Push the button.
•Push
A log file will be saved here: C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Online Scanner\log.txt

ESET found 4 PUPs:
C:\Documents and Settings\Yule family\Application Data\VisicomToolBar\gamesagogo_en_w3i_toolbar_3.2.0.36.exe a variant of Win32/Toolbar.Visicom.C potentially unwanted application deleted - quarantined
C:\Documents and Settings\Yule family\My Documents\Downloads\ImageEditorSetup.exe a variant of Win32/InstallCore.PO potentially unwanted application deleted - quarantined
C:\System Volume Information\_restore{9B69DFF2-C9BB-4818-A3DF-C8BB77395A08}\RP122\A0192426.exe a variant of MSIL/BrowseFox.G potentially unwanted application deleted - quarantined
C:\System Volume Information\_restore{9B69DFF2-C9BB-4818-A3DF-C8BB77395A08}\RP122\A0192472.exe a variant of Win32/BrowseFox.H potentially unwanted application deleted - quarantined.
I will let you know how start up is later.