problem with web-mail slowing down/spyware?

[LittleMoth]

hello, I'm a newbie with a problem!

A couple of days ago, when I switched on my laptop I was met with a message telling me that an essential file "msvbvm60.dll" was missing.

Everything seemed to work fine though, that is until I went to check my Yahoo emails & I found that suddenly everything had slowed down to a snail's pace!
Especially when composing a new message: the cursor moves accross the screen but the text takes a few minutes to appear. I found that this also happened when I tried to post something on a forum (and scrolling down a page to read a forum thread had become jerky and much slower than usual)

Anyway, I found a website offering the missing file for download. I downloaded the file and now the error message does not appear. However, the problem with viewing forums and composing emails persisted. Someone told me that spyware could be the culprit, so I downloaded Spybot S&D, and sure enough the laptop was riddled with loads of spyware. I used Spybot S&D to remove all of the spyware..

But, guess what? Composing emails and viewing/posting to forums & msg boards is still painfully slow. That last sentence, for instance, took about 4minutes to appear on the screen after I'd finished typing it! (really, I'm not exagerating!! )

I've no idea what to do about this, and as you can imagine this is a really annoying problem: most of what I use the internet for revolves around using Yahoo mail and various boards & forums!

OK, apologies for the long-winded moan!
If anyone can help me with this I will be very grateful.

X

[brad]

Sounds like you've got a lot of stuff running in the background.
First I'd delete all Temp folders/files and Temporary Internet Folders/files.
Update your Anti-Virus software and run it.
Did you update SpyBot before you ran it? Try that also.
What's in your MSCONFIG / Startup? Can you post what's there?
If you want you can download and run . Then post the log file here.
brad

[LittleMoth]

[liljim]

[brad]

Yes, you can delete all the Temp Folders/Files as long as you've rebooted since you installed or updated anything.
Right Click on your Internet Explorer Icon and Select "Properties". On the "General" Tab select "Delete Files" (including "offline"). You can also "Delete Cookies" if you so choose. Go ahead and "Clear History" while you're there.
As liljim said:"Click start>run then type in msconfig,press enter.Click the startup tab."
You can uncheck all the unnecessary programs but you'll have to check which ones are necessary. That's why I suggested the HiJack This program it would show us that and much more.
Here's an easier way to show us your Startup Programs:
Start / Run / Type msinfo32.exe and click "Ok" / Now Click the + beside "Software Enviroment" / Now Click "Startup Programs" / Now Select Edit and choose "Copy" / Now you can Post a reply here and paste the information.
brad

[LittleMoth]

Thanks for tips! I couldn't seem to find Hijack This (got a Cannot-find-server message)... So, below is what the Mirosoft System Info told me:

Strangely enough, everything seems to have sped up to normal speed again (?!) but now my Homepage has been reset to some obscure search engine (I'm understand that's definitely a result of spyware of some sort?)

AOL Tray Icon Startup Group "C:\AOL 4.0i\aoltray.exe" -check
Adobe Gamma Loader.exe Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe"
WinZip Quick Pick Startup Group "C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE"
ScanRegistry Registry (Machine Run) c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
TaskMonitor Registry (Machine Run) c:\windows\taskmon.exe
SystemTray Registry (Machine Run) SysTray.Exe
IrMon Registry (Machine Run) IrMon.exe
LoadPowerProfile Registry (Machine Run) Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
CountrySelection Registry (Machine Run) pctptt.exe
PTSNOOP Registry (Machine Run) ptsnoop.exe
AMD PowerNow! Registry (Machine Run) "C:\Program Files\AMD\PowerNow!\GemBack.exe"
PCTBackEXE Registry (Machine Run) "C:\Program Files\AMD\PCTBack\PCTBack.exe"
QuickTime Task Registry (Machine Run) "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\QTTASK.EXE" -atboottime
TkBellExe Registry (Machine Run) "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
Windows Shell Library Loader Registry (Machine Run) load shell.dll /c /set
LoadPowerProfile Registry (Machine Service) Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
SchedulingAgent Registry (Machine Service) mstask.exe

One day I'm going to invent a steam-powered computer... any problems would be easily solved by simply feeding more coal into the boiler! ; )

Thanks so much for your time, everyone!
x

[Ranger Bob]

[LittleMoth]

Great, thanks for that!

I've downloaded Hijack This, and here is the log: (apologies for taking up so much space, it's quite long!! )

x

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 22:52:39, on 14/02/04
Platform: Windows 98 SE (Win9x 4.10.2222A)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 (6.00.2600.0000)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RNAAPP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TAPISRV.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IRMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\ptsnoop.exe
C:\PROGRAM FILES\AMD\POWERNOW!\GEMBACK.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\AMD\PCTBACK\PCTBACK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\QTTASK.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\REAL\UPDATE_OB\REALSCHED.EXE
C:\AOL 4.0I\AOLTRAY.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\WINZIP\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\PSTORES.EXE
C:\UNZIPPED\HIJACKTHIS_1.97.7\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchURL = C:\WINDOWS\system32\searchbar.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://portal.plus.net/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = C:\WINDOWS\system32\blank.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://1-se.com/home.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = C:\WINDOWS\system32\searchbar.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = C:\WINDOWS\system32\searchbar.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://portal.plus.net/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = PlusNet Internet Explorer
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://1-se.com/home.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,(Default) = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 5.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.OCX
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FD60B590A87D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\REAL\TOOLBAR\REALBAR.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O3 - Toolbar: REALBAR - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FD60B590A87D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\REAL\TOOLBAR\REALBAR.DLL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] c:\windows\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IrMon] IrMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CountrySelection] pctptt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PTSNOOP] ptsnoop.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AMD PowerNow!] "C:\Program Files\AMD\PowerNow!\GemBack.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCTBackEXE] "C:\Program Files\AMD\PCTBack\PCTBack.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\QTTASK.EXE" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Shell Library Loader] load shell.dll /c /set
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SchedulingAgent] mstask.exe
O4 - Startup: AOL Tray Icon.lnk = C:\AOL 4.0i\aoltray.exe
O4 - Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O9 - Extra button: Related (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Show &Related Links (HKLM)
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://portal.plus.net/
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shoc ... wflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {E855A2D4-987E-4F3B-A51C-64D10A7E2479} (EPSImageControl Class) - http://tools.ebayimg.com/eps/activex/EP ... -0-3-0.cab
O19 - User stylesheet: (file missing)

[brad]

First I'd download / update / and run: and .
Now run HiJack this again and post the Log.
brad

[LittleMoth]

Cheers,
OK, I've done that and here's the log now:
x

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 20:43:57, on 15/02/04
Platform: Windows 98 SE (Win9x 4.10.2222A)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 (6.00.2600.0000)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IRMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\ptsnoop.exe
C:\PROGRAM FILES\AMD\POWERNOW!\GEMBACK.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\AMD\PCTBACK\PCTBACK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\QTTASK.EXE
C:\AOL 4.0I\AOLTRAY.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\WINZIP\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\REAL\UPDATE_OB\REALSCHED.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RNAAPP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TAPISRV.EXE
C:\UNZIPPED\HIJACKTHIS_1.97.7\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchURL = C:\WINDOWS\system32\searchbar.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://portal.plus.net/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://1-se.com/home.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = C:\WINDOWS\system32\searchbar.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = C:\WINDOWS\system32\searchbar.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://portal.plus.net/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = PlusNet Internet Explorer
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://1-se.com/home.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,(Default) = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 5.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.OCX
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FD60B590A87D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\REAL\TOOLBAR\REALBAR.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O3 - Toolbar: REALBAR - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FD60B590A87D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\REAL\TOOLBAR\REALBAR.DLL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] c:\windows\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IrMon] IrMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CountrySelection] pctptt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PTSNOOP] ptsnoop.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AMD PowerNow!] "C:\Program Files\AMD\PowerNow!\GemBack.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCTBackEXE] "C:\Program Files\AMD\PCTBack\PCTBack.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\QTTASK.EXE" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Shell Library Loader] load shell.dll /c /set
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SchedulingAgent] mstask.exe
O4 - Startup: AOL Tray Icon.lnk = C:\AOL 4.0i\aoltray.exe
O4 - Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://portal.plus.net/
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shoc ... wflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {E855A2D4-987E-4F3B-A51C-64D10A7E2479} (EPSImageControl Class) - http://tools.ebayimg.com/eps/activex/EP ... -0-3-0.cab
O19 - User stylesheet: (file missing)

[brad]

First, open a new HJT log and check the entries below to be fixed. Then, with all browser windows closed, click "fix checked".
R0-R1's If you recognize the URL at the end as your homepage or search engine, it's OK. If you don't, check it and have HijackThis fix it.
O16 - DPF: {E855A2D4-987E-4F3B-A51C-64D10A7E2479} (EPSImageControl Class) - [http://tools.ebayimg.com/eps/active...ntrol_v1-32.cab]
and
O19 - User stylesheet: (file missing)

Reboot the computer. Do the problems still exist?
brad

[LittleMoth]

Thanks Brad,

I did that, rebooted and the problems disappeared... (I did another scan with HJT and all the dodgy-looking entries seem to have been removed)

... But, when I disconnected from the 'net I got a strange error message saying that Internet Explorer had a fault running scripts...

and sometime between then and now, the problem with the resetting homepage seems to have re-appeared!

When I open IE the homepage resets to a file on the C drive simply called 'Homepage.htm' (it's a link to some weird search engine which also sells insurance!! ).... I tried to delete this file but got a message to say that it's a system file and removing it could cause problems.

So, I did yet another HJT scan and by the looks of it, the problem entries seem to have re-appeared too!

here: (again, apologies for the longgggg post!)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RNAAPP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TAPISRV.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IRMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\ptsnoop.exe
C:\PROGRAM FILES\AMD\POWERNOW!\GEMBACK.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\AMD\PCTBACK\PCTBACK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\QTTASK.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\REAL\UPDATE_OB\REALSCHED.EXE
C:\AOL 4.0I\AOLTRAY.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\WINZIP\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSHTA.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\UNZIPPED\HIJACKTHIS_1.97.7\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://1-se.com/home.html (obfuscated)
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = C:\WINDOWS\homepage.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://1-se.com/home.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://1-se.com/home.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = C:\WINDOWS\homepage.htm
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://1-se.com/home.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = PlusNet Internet Explorer
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://1-se.com/home.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,(Default) = http://1-se.com/srchasst.html (obfuscated)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 5.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.OCX
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FD60B590A87D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\REAL\TOOLBAR\REALBAR.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O3 - Toolbar: REALBAR - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FD60B590A87D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\REAL\TOOLBAR\REALBAR.DLL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TaskMonitor] c:\windows\taskmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IrMon] IrMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CountrySelection] pctptt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PTSNOOP] ptsnoop.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AMD PowerNow!] "C:\Program Files\AMD\PowerNow!\GemBack.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCTBackEXE] "C:\Program Files\AMD\PCTBack\PCTBack.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\QTTASK.EXE" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Shell Library Loader] load shell.dll /c /set
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [LoadPowerProfile] Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [SchedulingAgent] mstask.exe
O4 - Startup: AOL Tray Icon.lnk = C:\AOL 4.0i\aoltray.exe
O4 - Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://portal.plus.net/
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shoc ... wflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab

:bummed: what should I do now?

Huge thanks to everyone who's been giving me tips with this, I really am very grateful. x

[brad]

Did you have Internet Explorer and all other Programs closed when you had HiJack This "Fix" the problems? You must have everything closed.

In HiJack This remove or repair:
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\REAL\UPDATE_OB\REALSCHED.EXE
C:\AOL 4.0I\AOLTRAY.EXE
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FD60B590A87D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\REAL\TOOLBAR\REALBAR.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: REALBAR - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FD60B590A87D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\REAL\TOOLBAR\REALBAR.DLL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - Startup: AOL Tray Icon.lnk = C:\AOL 4.0i\aoltray.exe
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://portal.plus.net/
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shoc ... wflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab

Now Reboot
I'd also suggest downloading to eliminate Browser Hijacking.
brad