Hi Feral Geek,
Because you appear to be knowledgeable, I am giving you a lot to do.
Just take these one at a time, and let each one finish before doing the next.
Please do not install, Uninstall, scan or run any other programs while we work.
-------------------------------------------------------------
AdwCleaner Download and Run
Download
AdwCleaner and save it to your desktop or somewhere you can find it.
Take care NOT to click on any ad, like from PC Optimizer Pro. The correct link is the button labeled "Download from Bleeping Computer".
NOTE: If using Internet Explorer and you get an alert that stops the program downloading, click on
Tools > Smartscreen Filter > Turn off Smartscreen Filter then click on
OK in the box that opens. Then click on the link again.
Close your browser and double click the AdwCleaner icon on your desktop.
- Click on the Scan button, accept any prompts that appear, and allow it to run.
It may take several minutes to complete.
- When it is done, the Scan button will be dimmed down, and it will wait for you to make any exceptions to its suggested removals. Don't make any exceptions or uncheck anything
- Click on the Cleaning button, accept any prompts that appear, and allow the system to Reboot.
- You will then be presented with the report. Copy & Paste it into a reply here.
- If you lose track of the log, it is saved in this folder C:\AdwCleaner\
The filename will be adwcleaner[xx].txt, where [xx] will be S1, or S2, etc. whichever filename is newest.
----------------------------------------------
Download and Run Temp File Cleaner (TFC.exe)
Download
Temp File Cleaner and save it to your desktop.
You might want to Save any unsaved work. TFC will close ALL open programs... including your browser!
Right click the TFC icon and choose
Run as administrator.
If you have a lot of junk files to remove, it could take a while, so please be patient and let it finish.
When it's done, it will report the total size of files removed. If it asks to Reboot, choose to do so. This will remove files that could not be removed while Windows was running.
After Restart, log back in to your usual account.
You can keep
TFC on your desktop and run it every week or two to clean out excessive temporary files. It does usually require a restart.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Download MyDefrag from here and Install it :
http://filehippo.com/download_mydefrag/
After Installation, run MyDefrag in
System Disk Monthly Mode on the
C: drive
(Click
System Disk Monthly and then check
C: drive, click
Run)
Wait for it. It goes through 6 Zones. It may take an hour or two, depending on how badly the HD is scrambled.
The Window will be labeled
Finished at the top when it is done.
Going forward, you can run it in
System Disk Daily mode, but once every week or two is sufficient.
It will finish a lot faster in the ensuing runs.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Download and Run the Farbar Scan Tool
- Download FRST64 and save to your Desktop.
- Double click Frst64.exe to launch it.
- FRST64 will start to run.
- When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
- Press the Scan button.
- When finished scanning, 2 logs will open on your Desktop, FRST.txt and Addition.txt
- Please post them in your next reply.
If you lose track of them, they will be saved in the same location as FRST64.exe
Feel free to use separate replies if it's more convenient.
So we are looking for the AdwCleaner log, and the two logs from FRST64.exe
If any problems with any instructions, please stop and ask.
askey127