mwb not fixing conhost.exe

[gu3pwood]

So my GPU was maxing out at 99%.  I did some googling, and came across conhost.exe trojan as possible culprit.  When I kill that process, my GPU drops to 0%.  So I think I have the problem identified.  But nothing seems to fix it.  I'm attaching all the logfiles from software recommended elsewhere on these forums.  Also note that when I ran combofix the conhost.exe process was running, but combofix killed it when I started it up.  Is that normal?  Any help is appreciated...trying to avoid a reformat.

checkup.txt

ComboFix.txt

mbar-log-2013-07-28 (11-20-07).txt

system-log.txt

TDSSKiller.2.8.18.0_28.07.2013_11.19.36_log.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello and

Please run the following steps and post back all the logs as ATTACHMENTS by clicking on the More Reply Options button.
Please don't put logs in code or quote tags or copy/paste them into your reply unless you're unable to attach them.
Please enable your system to show hidden files: How to see hidden files in Windows

P2P/Piracy Warning:

• If you're using Peer 2 Peer software such as uTorrent, BitTorrent or similar you must either fully uninstall them or completely disable them from running while being assisted here.
• Failure to remove or disable such software will result in your topic being closed and no further assistance being provided.
• If you have illegal/cracked software, cracks, keygens etc. on the system, please remove or uninstall them now and read the policy on Piracy.
  

STEP 01
Backup the Registry:
Modifying the Registry can create unforeseen problems, so it always wise to create a backup before doing so.

• Please download ERUNT from one of the following links: Link1 | Link2 | Link3
• ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) is a free program that allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed.
• Double click on erunt-setup.exe to Install ERUNT by following the prompts.
• NOTE: Do not choose to allow ERUNT to add an Entry to the Startup folder. Click NO.
• Start ERUNT either by double clicking on the desktop icon or choosing to start the program at the end of the setup process.
• Choose a location for the backup.
  
  • Note: the default location is C:\Windows\ERDNT which is acceptable.
    

  [*]Make sure that at least the first two check boxes are selected. [*]Click on OK [*]Then click on YES to create the folder. [*]Note: if it is necessary to restore the registry, open the backup folder and start ERDNT.exe
  

STEP 02
Please download RogueKiller and save it to your desktop.

You can check here if you're not sure if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit

• RogueKiller 32-bit | RogueKiller 64-bit
• Quit all running programs.
• For Windows XP, double-click to start.
• For Vista,Windows 7/8, Right-click on the program and select Run as Administrator to start and when prompted allow it to run.
• Read and accept the EULA (End User Licene Agreement)
• Click Scan to scan the system.
• When the scan completes Close the program > Don't Fix anything!
• Don't run any other options, they're not all bad!!
• Post back the report which should be located on your desktop.
  

STEP 03
Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit from here

• Unzip the contents to a folder in a convenient location.
• Open the folder where the contents were unzipped and run mbar.exe
• Follow the instructions in the wizard to update and allow the program to scan your computer for threats.
• Click on the Cleanup button to remove any threats and reboot if prompted to do so.
• Wait while the system shuts down and the cleanup process is performed.
• 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.
• When done, please post the two logs produced they will be in the MBAR folder... mbar-log.txt and system-log.txt
  

STEP 04
Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.

• Shutdown your antivirus to avoid any conflicts.
• Right click over JRT.exe and select Run as administrator on Windows Vista or Windows 7, double-click on XP.
• The tool will open and start scanning your system.
• Please be patient as this can take a while to complete.
• On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.
• Post the contents of JRT.txt into your next reply message
• When completed make sure to re-enable your antivirus
  

STEP 05
Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode to your desktop.

• Close all open programs and internet browsers.
• Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.
• If prompted by the User Account Control click Yes to allow it to run.
• Under Actions click on the Delete button.
• Click OK on all prompts.
• You will be prompted to restart your computer. A text file will open after the restart.
• Please post the entire contents of that logfile to your next reply.
• You can find the logfile at C:\AdwCleaner[s1].txt where the number in brackets indicates how often it was run.
  

STEP 06


Please go here to run the online antivirus scannner from ESET.

• Turn off the real time scanner of any existing antivirus program while performing the online scan
• Tick the box next to YES, I accept the Terms of Use.
• Click Start
• When asked, allow the activex control to install
• Click Start
• Make sure that the option Remove found threats is unticked
• Click on Advanced Settings and ensure these options are ticked:
  
  • Scan for potentially unwanted applications
  • Scan for potentially unsafe applications
  • Enable Anti-Stealth Technology
    

  [*]Click Scan [*]Wait for the scan to finish [*]If any threats were found, click the 'List of found threats' , then click Export to text file.... [*]Save it to your desktop, then please copy and paste that log as a reply to this topic.
  

STEP 07
Please download the Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your desktop.

Note: You need to run the version compatibale with your system. You can check here if you're not sure if your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit

• Double-click to run it. When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
• Press the Scan button.
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please copy and paste it to your reply.
• The first time the tool is run, it also makes another log (Addition.txt). Please attach it to your reply as well.
  

 

[gu3pwood]

I've only had time for steps 1-5.  I can't resume until later this week.  I'm attaching logs for what I've done so far.  Roguekiller definitely kills the process during the pre-scan.

 

I'll finish the other scans late this week.  Just didn't want you to think I'm abandoning the topic.  Thanks for the guidance here.

AdwCleanerS4.txt

JRT.txt

mbar-log-2013-07-28 (21-48-59).txt

RKreport0_S_07282013_214757.txt

system-log.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Actually I'm pretty sure that either Step 6 or Step 7 are going to confirm what Roguekiller found. Once you run those we can probably remove the affected items with Step 7

[gu3pwood]

Here are the logs from steps 6 and 7.  Let me know what you see.  Thanks again.

ESET export.txt

Addition.txt

FRST.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop.
NOTE. It's important that both files, FRST or FRST64 and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on this particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system.

Run FRST or FRST64 and press the Fix button just once and wait.
If the tool needs a restart please make sure you let the system restart normally and let the tool complete its run after restart.
The tool will make a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt). Please attach or post it to your next reply.

Note: If the tool warned you about an outdated version please download and run the updated version.
 

fixlist.txt

[gu3pwood]

I think that worked.  No more conhost.exe process running at all, which is weird because I thought that was a normal process that was supposed to run.  Also, I didn't notice the note above about updating FRST if it notified me...I didn't.  But it still appears to have fixed my GPU from running at 100%.  Attaching the new log.

Fixlog.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Great, that's good news.

 

Next, download Security Check from here or here.

• Save it to your Desktop.
• Double click SecurityCheck.exe and follow the onscreen instructions inside of the black box.
• A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt; please post the contents of that document.
  

 

[gu3pwood]

report attached

checkup.txt

[AdvancedSetup]

Are you running an SSD hard drive on this computer ?  If not have you disabled the scheduled task to defrag the hard drive ?

 

All looks good.  If there is nothing else then we can go ahead and clean up and I'll give you a link to read for steps on keeping the computer clean going forward.

Just let me know if there is anything else before we remove the tools.

 

Thanks

[gu3pwood]

Ya - I have an SSD.

And that should be it I guess. Thanks.

[AdvancedSetup]

A little clean up to do....

Please Uninstall ComboFix: (if you used it)

Press the Windows logo key + R to bring up the "run box"

Copy and paste next command in the field:

ComboFix /uninstall

Make sure there's a space between Combofix and /



Then hit enter.
This will uninstall Combofix, delete its related folders and files, hide file extensions, hide the system/hidden files and clears System Restore cache and create new Restore point

(If that doesn't work.....you can simply rename ComboFix.exe to Uninstall.exe and double click it to complete the uninstall or download and run the uninstaller)

 

 

Please download OTC to your desktop.
http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTC.exe

Double-click OTC to run it. (Vista and up users, please right click on OTC and select "Run as an Administrator")
Click on the CleanUp! button and follow the prompts.
(If you get a warning from your firewall or other security programs regarding OTC attempting to contact the Internet, please allow the connection.)
You will be asked to reboot the machine to finish the Cleanup process, choose Yes.
After the reboot all the tools we used should be gone.
Note: Some more recently created tools may not yet be removed by OTC. Feel free to manually delete any tools it leaves behind.

Any other programs or logs you can manually delete.
IE: RogueKiller.exe, RKreport.txt, RK_Quarantine folder, C:\FRST, MBAR, etc....AdwCleaner > just run the program and click uninstall.

 

 

 

Please read the following when you have time and if you have any questions let me know.

 

Best Practices for Safe Computing - Prevention of Malware Infection

 

[AdvancedSetup]

Glad we could help.

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