[GLLUG] Setting up a dual-boot system

[Thomas Hruska]

frank.dolinar at comcast.net wrote:
> I have Ad-Aware and use it at least every week.  Same with SpyBot and NortonAV.
> 
> None of the above have managed to find or stop whatever is burning cycles in my system.  The typical CPU percentage is running between 20 and 70% and really slowing down my system.  (Let's just say I'm not amused.)
> 
> I think (but cannot prove) that one or more of the "CoolWWWSearch" malware processes is doing this to me, but -- as I said -- none of my anti-malware tools is finding anything.  It's discouraging.  (If anyone knows anything about dealing with this particular family of nasties, I'd be interested in hearing more.)
> 
> While in most cases I'd agree that what I plan might be a little extreme, I have not found an easy way around this.  Nor am I a complete stranger to the clean-the-hard-disk-and-start-over process.  Wouldn't be the first time.
> 
> On the other hand, if I thought I had an alternative, I wouldn't be going this route.
> 
> Thanks for the feedback.  All good ideas.
> 
> -- Frank

I hate to ask the obvious:  Have you looked at Task Manager to determine 
which process is consuming all the CPU?  If no process is showing up, 
there could be a rootkit installed (perhaps you've recently played a 
music CD with Sony's idea of 'DRM'?  Sony BMG [illegally] installs a 
rootkit with their CDs).

If you can't figure it out, I'd love to take a look at the system in 
question either in person (we all live in the Lansing Area, right?) or 
over a Remote Desktop or VNC session.  Troubleshooting is something I 
enjoy doing and, if you are only a few minutes away, I'll even drop by 
today and take a look - no charge.  (If the address is 644 Sunset Lane, 
over by Abbott, that's no problem).

--
Thomas Hruska
CubicleSoft President
Ph: 517-803-4197

Safe C++ Design Principles (First Edition)
Learn how to write memory leak-free, secure,
portable, and user-friendly software.

Learn more and view a sample chapter:
http://www.CubicleSoft.com/SafeCPPDesign/