When was the last time you cleaned up the hard drive? You might consider using Ccleaner or a similar program to clear out the temp files, cookies, recycle bin etc to see if that helps. Have you ran a full scan with MSE recently to ensure the computer is free of malware?

run an updated malwarebytes scan too just to rule out malware.
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (Win) - Detecting and Removing Malware

I think the key to this is that you have AOL software in most every instance I have seen that it is on a pc with AOL try to disable the AOL and use fire fox instead for a few days and see if it happens.

Another thing I would do is use the hive clean up tool which helps stop those kinds of things from hanging at close.
User Profile Hive Cleanup Service

I have also seen a few instances where AOL does not play well with MSE also. Personally I would highly suggest you get rid of AOL it really is so outdated and contrary.
get firefox browser here
www.mozilla.com

Here is a link that might be useful: firefox

You guys rock!
I downloaded the free Malwarebytes, and scanned. It found 2 things!!

1) A "Trojan.Agent". Categorized as a "File" in C:\Windows\hosts

2) Something called "PUM.Hijack.Startmenu". Categorized as "Registry data" in HKEY_Current_user\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Internet Explorer.....

I selected the Delete & Quarantine option, and I did the restart.

>>> Were these objects serious stuff?!

I do like the version of AOL-Desktop that I'm using. But, with the new year, maybe I should switch?!

>>> On an older PC like this, is Firefox a big program?

Thanks again!!!!
Faron

firefox is no problem at all and once you start to use it and find out all the great add ons you can use with it you will love it plus with the adblock plus and easylist you will see no more ads at all.

Yes those are serious stuff trojan agent is a real nasty one. We may want you to go to another forum and have them run some special scans to make sure it is all gone it is not always all gone. Keep updating and running malwarebytes daily for a few days and let me know if anything else shows up.

the PUM one could be from some program you have on the pc or it can be caused by malware.
PUM means potentially unwanted modification. Malware can set this or you can. It is a change in your registry. but it can in some cases be a false positive so if you find something now working right you may try going into quarantine and restoring it if it is still there. when doing the scans it is usually best to quarantine just in case there is a false positive.

did you also run the hive clean up tool?

keep me posted

You have probably been using AOL for some time and are comfortable with it. I know how that goes, because I used AOL for 14 years. I was slow to catch on, but I discovered through each new version of the program that AOL is IMHO very poor and buggy software to use. If you are using AOL as a dial-up connection to the Internet, you should simply sign on to AOL and then minimize it and launch the browser of your choice to use the web. If you already have a broadband Internet connection, I recommend not using AOL at all. After you get your malware cleaned up, try going without AOL for a while. You may find it an improvement.

Raven-
The only additional tool installed on the "Tools" tab of Malwarebytes is "File assassin". Again, I've got the free version.
OR...did'ja mean run my Registry-Mechanic program from PCTools? I run this ~ monthly, but it doesn't find much ever.

I'm wondering if the PUM-finding of "PUM.Hijack.Startup..." is the "Hijack This" program that's been recommended here. I downloaded it sometime in 2010, and its 2 icons are on my desktop.

Yeah, my AOL is the browser that "hangs" frequently. IE8 doesn't have any problems with computer shutting-down or signing into AOL for email.

You guys ROCK!
Faron

I meant to run the regular malwarebytes program you just ran to see if more infection shows up.
I and most people on support help forums ask that you not use any type of registry cleaner, they are not needed on todays windows and they can cause some very very major problems which may result in having to format the pc. In fact had you run a registry cleaner? if so it may have made the changes that resulted in the PUM. I have never seen hijack this cause a PUM.

AOL has long been extremely buggy and they really don't care to fix it since so many people have left them in the dust where it need to be left LOL.

the other thing I had asked you to run is that hive clean up tool I put the link to in my post up above.

Raven-
Yes, I did install the "Hive cleaner" that you linked.
* I saved the "Readme" to my desktop. There's no other icon for this little program?
* Or, does it just run invisibly all the time in the background?
* Yes, roughly monthly, I run the PCTools Registry Mechanic. Because this is an older PC, I (erroneously?!) thought it would help. The first few uses, there were a LOT of "errors", etc. that it fixed.

And.....guess what?!
I'm now viewing this site thru.....

Firefox!

>>> NO issues signing into AOL now!!

Faron

that is excellent news Faron! please please get rid of the registry cleaner so you will not be tempted to use it again, they do that scare tactic telling you there are so many errors to fix, the versions of windows from xp on up do not need registry cleaners at all, the very old versions did benefit a bit from them but not now, in fact we see more damaged computers from registry cleaners than you would belive.

to do the adblockplus on your firefox to block the ads you can watch this little you tube just pay no attention to the version numbers he mentions.
How to Install and Set Up AdBlock Plus

once you put adblock plus on firefox it will ask you to restart firefox do that then you can either do the easylist as they tell you on the video or just go here and under easy list click add to adblock plus, I also add their easy privacy. then restart firefox one more time to make sure it all set and you are good to go.

EasyList

any help you need with firefox feel free to ask, there are so many fantastic addons for it that I just can not live with out now. You can look through the lists of them here
Add-ons

a few that I love are
colorful tabs
copy as html link
dictionary search
WOT for safe browsing
xmarks which saves all your bookmarks to your persona xmarks page and you can access them from any pc anywhere plus it syncs all your bookmarks automatically if you put it on more than one pc so all your pc's have the same updated bookmarks. I love it.

so there you have a few to look at. You can always add them and if you find you don't like them very easily go back and remove them.

I can't say this enough guys!!

Thank you for making me see the light!

I've been tinkering around with the appearance, and now have the Christmas Snoopy "theme" for the browser header background. I'm a huge Peanuts fan from waaaaaay back!

Faron

I am a gal but I take the thank you just the same LOL I am just one of the "guys" anyway.

yes firefox has some very neat stuff that can go on it.

Bigtime sorry there Ravencajun!

Now I have to explore the "Easylist" add-on.

Again...I can't believe....using this GW website...WITH NO ADS!! Doesn't seem possible!
Whomever put together that "subscription list" should be awarded Sainthood! But I don't mean the "Nah-lins" Saints...hee-hee! G*d help me, I'm a MN Vikings fan....I was born when the team was, 1961, so I don't know any better LOL!

Faron

he was a really great guy named Rick that created the easylist unfortunately he passed away a little over a year ago, but thankfully he had taken care of making sure someone would take over the easylist and the rest of his projects and continue them.
You do not have to do anything with easylist once you have installed it, they updated it and send out the updates to your pc and you get the notices when there are updates for you add-ons and you just say yes and poof it does the updates for you. Same for all your firefox add ons.
If you like to keep up with weather one addon that I like is forecastfox it lives down in your bottom browser bar and keeps you informed to the weather for the area you select.