In the last week, I receive this message when I start my Dell Inspiron 600m laptop:

Amount of memory decreasing

The computer then hangs. If I push the on button again, I receive the following message at startup:

Memory write/read failure at ... read ...expecting ...
Memory address line failure at ... read... expecting...
Memory write/read failure at ... read... expecting...
Decreasing available memory
Strike F1 key to continue F2 key to run setup utility

The ... are things like IFFE0008, FEIIFEI0 and they change each time I reboot the computer.

I hit F1 and the memory is still listed as 256 which is what it should be. However, the computer is running very very slow. Programs take a long time to open and it takes longer to switch between two tasks like IE and excel.

I have updated the BIOS. I have not installed any software recently, but have been cleaning up old files and uninstalling software I don't use. I've also deleted all my cookies and temporary internet files before doing the prework.

The AVG virus checker also says I have a trojan horse generic_c.EQ in a file labelled:
C:\documents and settings\teffie\local settings\temporary internet files\Content IE.5\P8S1WGFQ\ne[1].mov

It is in the AVG virus vault.

I've attached the prework and I'm trying to figure out if I need to replace my DIMM card or if its the virus (or both--horrors).

Thanks for any assistance.
Steph

Attached Files

	hijackthis1.log (11.4 KB, 1 views)
	SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log - 11-07-2007 - 12-51-56.log (3.5 KB, 1 views)

Hello dr. steph,

I have a feeling that you may need to replace your memory but let's get rid of a few things first and see if it helps.

Run HijackThis and check the following:

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {549B5CA7-4A86-11D7-A4DF-000874180BB3} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FDD3B846-8D59-4ffb-8758-209B6AD74ACC} - (no file)
O4 - Startup: PowerReg Scheduler V3.exe
O4 - Startup: PowerReg SchedulerV2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] \"C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_01\bin\jusched.exe\"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
O4 - Global Startup: EPSON Status Monitor 3 Environment Check 2.lnk = C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\E_SRCV0 2.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Office Startup.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA.EXE

Click FIX CHECKED

Attach a new HijackThis log.

I agree, it's probably hardware. I pulled one 256 DIMM and it was brutally slow. Then I swapped it with the other DIMM and I'm here and it's running not too bad. I think the other one is fried.

It is still slower than my desktop which has less ram and a slower processor, so I'm working on this side too. I appreciate your help--thanks.

I've attached the new hijackthis log.

Stephannie

Attached Files

hijackthis11-12.log (10.5 KB, 1 views)

Hello Stephannie,

Your HijackThis log appears to be clean. The only other suggestion I can think (besides replacing your memory) of is to clean out your temporary files.


Download CCleaner and install it. (default location is best). Do not run it yet!

CCleaner Tutorial


*NOTE* CCleaner deletes EVERYTHING out of temp/temporary folders and does not make backups.

Let's empty the temp files:

Run CCleaner.

1. Starting with v1.27.260, CCleaner installs the Yahoo Toolbar as an option which IS checkmarked by default during the installation.
IF you do NOT want it, REMOVE the checkmark when provided with the option OR download the toolbarfree Basic version instead of the Standard Build.

2. Before first use, select Options > Advanced and UNCHECK "Only delete files in Windows Temp folder older than 48 hours"

3. Then select the items you wish to clean up.

In the Windows Tab:
• Clean all entries in the "Internet Explorer" section except Cookies.
• Clean all the entries in the "Windows Explorer" section.
• Clean all entries in the "System" section.
• Clean all entries in the "Advanced" section.
• Clean any others that you choose.

In the Applications Tab:
• Clean all except cookies in the Firefox/Mozilla section if you use it.
• Clean all in the Opera section if you use it.
• Clean Sun Java in the Internet Section.
• Clean any others that you choose.

4. Click the "Run Cleaner" button.
5. A pop up box will appear advising this process will permanently delete files from your system.
6. Click "OK" and it will scan and clean your system.
7. Click "exit" when done.

If it asks you to reboot at the end, click NO.

CCleaner should be run with the above settings for each User Account!

I hope this helps get you up to speed.

Post back and let me know how it turns out.

Thanks.