Hello everybody!
I'm new here, so apologies if this is not the best place to post: I'm looking for help as to why my hard drive is continually being accessed, such that it is badly affecting the performance of my computer...

I have already had all the 'malware' cleaned out of my machine, but am at a loss to know how to find out what it is that keeps accessing my hard drive. My operating system is Windows XP. Any pointers greatly appreciated.

Welcome to PCHF.

No offense, but I would like our Security experts to check out your computer.

Please click on the Pre-Work link in my signature and follow the directions.
Attach/paste the required data on to this thread.

Thank you.

Thanks for the quick response.

Here is my Malware scan result, and the Hijackthis one too:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.32
MALWARE SCAN RESULTS:

Database version: 1630
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3

08/01/2009 15:32:13
mbam-log-2009-01-08 (15-32-13).txt

Scan type: Full Scan (C:\|D:\|)
Objects scanned: 182788
Time elapsed: 4 hour(s), 27 minute(s), 50 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

************************************************** ******

HI-JACKTHIS SCAN:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 16:35:03, on 08/01/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16762)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\windows\System32\smss.exe
C:\windows\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\windows\system32\services.exe
C:\windows\system32\lsass.exe
C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe
C:\windows\System32\svchost.exe
C:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\bgsvcgen.exe
C:\Program Files\Diskeeper Corporation\Diskeeper\DkService.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lxctcoms.exe
C:\Program Files\Maxtor\Sync\SyncServices.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\windows\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgrsx.exe
C:\windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\windows\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Labtec\WebCam10\WebCam10.exe
C:\Program Files\Lexmark 5400 Series\lxctmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Lexmark 5400 Series\fm3032.exe
C:\Program Files\Lexmark 5400 Series\ezprint.exe
C:\Program Files\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\winpatrol.exe
C:\windows\UMStor\Res.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LComMgr\LVComSX.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LComMgr\Communications_Helper.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
C:\windows\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Photo Toolkit\ivbar\phototoolkitmem.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNo tifier.exe
C:\Program Files\3COM Technology Corporation\3COM Wireless USB Utility\Wlan.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Plugin Manager\skypePM.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\windows\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE
C:\GMER\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = MSN.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = Live Search
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Live Search
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://192.168.0.1:8063
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Lexmark Toolbar - {1017A80C-6F09-4548-A84D-EDD6AC9525F0} - C:\Program Files\Lexmark Toolbar\toolband.dll
O2 - BHO: Skype add-on (mastermind) - {22BF413B-C6D2-4d91-82A9-A0F997BA588C} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Security Toolbar - {A057A204-BACC-4D26-9990-79A187E2698E} - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\AVGTOO~1.DLL
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AVG Security Toolbar - {A057A204-BACC-4D26-9990-79A187E2698E} - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\AVGTOO~1.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: Barra de Herramientas MSN - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\MSN Toolbar\01.01.2607.0\msgr.es.es-us\msntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Lexmark Toolbar - {1017A80C-6F09-4548-A84D-EDD6AC9525F0} - C:\Program Files\Lexmark Toolbar\toolband.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG8_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechQuickCamRibbon] "C:\Program Files\Labtec\WebCam10\WebCam10.exe" /hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [lxctmon.exe] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 5400 Series\lxctmon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lexmark 5400 Series Fax Server] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 5400 Series\fm3032.exe" /s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EzPrint] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 5400 Series\ezprint.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinPatrol] C:\Program Files\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\winpatrol.exe -expressboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LXCTCATS] rundll32 C:\windows\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\LXCTtim e.dll,_RunDLLEntry@16
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [USB Storage Toolbox] C:\windows\UMStor\Res.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware] C:\Documents and Settings\WXP\Desktop\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe /install /silent
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Skype] "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\windows\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [I&F Viewer toolbar] "C:\Program Files\Photo Toolkit\ivbar\phototoolkitmem.exe" -start
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNo tifier.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [3COM] C:\Program Files\3COM Technology Corporation\3COM Wireless USB Utility\Wlan.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Telsey 802.11g Wireless Utility.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Office Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Run WinHTTrack - {36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040} - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Launch WinHTTrack - {36ECAF82-3300-8F84-092E-AFF36D6C7040} - C:\Program Files\WinHTTrack\WinHTTrackIEBar.dll
O9 - Extra button: Skype - {77BF5300-1474-4EC7-9980-D32B190E9B07} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\windows\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\windows\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Program Files\Messenger\Msgslang.dll,-61144 - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @C:\Program Files\Messenger\Msgslang.dll,-61144 - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {FD0B6769-6490-4A91-AA0A-B5AE0DC75AC9} (Performance Viewer Activex Control) - https://secure.logmein.com/activex/ractrl.cab?lmi=100
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgpp.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~1\Google\GOOGLE~2\GOEC62~1.DLL,avgrsstx. dll
O23 - Service: AVG Free8 WatchDog (avg8wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: B's Recorder GOLD Library General Service (bgsvcgen) - B.H.A Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\bgsvcgen.exe
O23 - Service: Diskeeper - Diskeeper Corporation - C:\Program Files\Diskeeper Corporation\Diskeeper\DkService.exe
O23 - Service: Google Desktop Manager 5.7.806.10245 (GoogleDesktopManager-061008-081103) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1150\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: LVSrvLauncher - Labtec Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\SrvLnch\SrvLnch.exe
O23 - Service: lxct_device - - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lxctcoms.exe
O23 - Service: Maxtor Service (Maxtor Sync Service) - Seagate Technology LLC - C:\Program Files\Maxtor\Sync\SyncServices.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\windows\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\PCSuite\Services\ServiceLayer.exe

--
End of file - 8966 bytes

************************************************** **


As it happens, my pc is now quiet! It has been on now for several hours, about 5 or 6; makes me wonder if some program or other is running a continuous scan every time I boot up - maybe an anti-virus hangover from Norton, a program I have previously found very difficult to completely remove!


Or perhaps I have inadvertently switched on some sort of file tidy-up program, or de-fragmenter, which takes hours to run in the background, slowing everything down...? I also occasionally get some sort of memory reading problem on boot-up,and nearly always have to manually kill a program or two when closing down.


Any pointers in uncovering what is makiong my hard disc work so hard gratefully received!


Kind Regards,


Bigmacinspain.

That is brilliant,thankyou for the results.

I will move your thread to the NEW HJT Section for you ready to receive further help from our Security Team.

JB.

***Moved to HJT Section***

I should also perhaps add that the Lexmark fm3032.exe program seems to be always running, I think it's a fax manager type program, but it just kind of sticks out when I check the processes running using ctrl_alt_del. ?

This is not a malware problem.One of our outher techs will maybe able to assist you on this one.

Thanks, Pancake,

bigmacinspain, suggestion you download and install this program (it's free) CCleaner ... Alternative Download.
1. After installing...run the program...
Before the first use, select Options > Advanced and UNCHECK "Only delete files in Windows Temp folder older than 48 hours"
Click on Analyzer...then click on Run Cleaner.
2. On the left side of the window, click on Registry...click on Scan for issues...click on Fix selected issues.

This program will cleanup your temp files and cookies.