Computer freezes progressively

Here’s one for you:

The week before last I picked up some malware (Antispyware System Pro). When I tried to close the hijacked windows the computer froze, but not all at once: Any audio looped the last fraction of a second, I could open the Task Manager and go through the motions of closing processes but nothing happened, and finally everything but the mouse stopped working.

I eventually got the system totally clean by using several different systems but it still stops after about 10-20 minutes, especially if I am watching some video. I switch it off then on and everything is fine, so it’s not an overheating issue.

I have work to do tomorrow and am at my wits’ end. Any ideas?

Oh, I’m running NT Pro SP3

The first possibility is that your system is not properly clean. Have you manually removed the files and registry entries listed here? If the problems persist following this, run a HijackThis log, and if you are unfamiliar with interpreting it, post the results in their forum, or here, for someone to highlight remaining malware.

Done all that. It was a couple days before I could even boot in safe mode without a BSOD.

I don’t see anything suspicious still intact, however I’m no expert. You’ll probably have more luck on the Beeping Computer forum.

I would remove;
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - (no file)
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - (no file)

It’s also worth running Malwarebytes in safe mode, if you haven’t already.

I’ve just noticed your log says you’re running XP not NT. Did you switch off system restore when running Malwarebytes? If not do so, then run a scan in safe mode.

No, just a momentary time warp back into the 90s.

I’m finding that not allowing any audio seems to help. Reinstalled my sound driver but that didn’t work so I’m not doing anything that involves sound.

Ran it for an hour with system sounds off with no problems. Watched two minutes of Jay’s Garage and it froze.

Need to work so I disabled the onboard sound device and will shop for a new sound card later.