[rich]

One day last week I booted up to find no programs will run. The program
MIGHT show its opening screenm then lock up. Most times theyh don't get
that far. Even trying to run msconfig is impossible, I get an hourglass
for a few seconds then nothing, If I start windows xp in SAFE mode, I
can run msconfig, but no programs will run.
The only thing I can recall happening out of the ordinary was seeing
that there were new windows updates flashing on the bottom of the
screen. I have it set to not download but to alert me to new
download...thsi apparently downloaded and wants to install. I even tried
installing (as one of the updates was for malicious software)...but even
that wouldn't run to install.

I tried to run Norton but like all the other programs it won't launch. I
can connect to the internet through verizon but as soon as I try to
launch a browser it locks up, On another computer I downloaded a simple
anti-virus program called AnitVir which DID extract and upon
installation checkd my computer for viruses.......it found 40 trojans
and 1 backdoor virus and cleaned then up. Yet nothing has changed as far
as running programs.....I even tried running ANtivir again under save
mode and it ran but under regular mode it won't.

Anyone got any ideas what I can do?

rich haynes

[Peter Foldes]

Try AdAware,Spybot,CW Shredder, Hijack this and some other AV's. If no luck may I suggest a system Restore.
Wait for some more inputs to your Issue at present maybe some others can shed more light on it.

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"rich" <user@hicom.net> wrote in message news:oLete.16191$fa3.1947@trndny01...
> One day last week I booted up to find no programs will run. The program
> MIGHT show its opening screenm then lock up. Most times theyh don't get
> that far. Even trying to run msconfig is impossible, I get an hourglass
> for a few seconds then nothing, If I start windows xp in SAFE mode, I
> can run msconfig, but no programs will run.
> The only thing I can recall happening out of the ordinary was seeing
> that there were new windows updates flashing on the bottom of the
> screen. I have it set to not download but to alert me to new
> download...thsi apparently downloaded and wants to install. I even tried
> installing (as one of the updates was for malicious software)...but even
> that wouldn't run to install.
>
> I tried to run Norton but like all the other programs it won't launch. I
> can connect to the internet through verizon but as soon as I try to
> launch a browser it locks up, On another computer I downloaded a simple
> anti-virus program called AnitVir which DID extract and upon
> installation checkd my computer for viruses.......it found 40 trojans
> and 1 backdoor virus and cleaned then up. Yet nothing has changed as far
> as running programs.....I even tried running ANtivir again under save
> mode and it ran but under regular mode it won't.
>
> Anyone got any ideas what I can do?
>
> rich haynes

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Rich

There comes a point, if problems are left long enough, where there is no
option other than to do a repair install or clean install..

If you have a Windows XP CD, you should be able to do a REPAIR install..
this page will tell you how..

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com

If you have a vendor RECOVERY CD, please follow the instructions in your
computer manual, or call the vendor for instruction.. bear in mind that use
of the recovery CD will perform a destructive install.. ie. all data will be
lost..

I will supply you with a list of processes that you may or may not be able
to do based upon the fact that your computer appears to be in a severely
disabled state..


One or two notes before you start.. some programs, like Kazaa for instance,
will always give you problems.. even if you install the so-called spyware
free versions, files downloaded from these services can be devastating..
there are users of these services that deliberately make infected files
available to the unwary.. others just do not realise that their systems are
infecting those of others in a covert manner..



Please try the processes below.. and do them in order.. none of the
processes are beyond the abilities of a newbie user..



You would be better advised to work on the problems rather than start over
now, have the same things happen again, and then have to repeat the
process.. maintaining a computer should be done regularly, and will only
take a few minutes per week..



OK.. start by turning OFF the System Restore function.. click on the Start
button.. right click on 'My Computer', then select Properties.. now select
the 'System Restore' tab..

Check the box "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all
drives".. now click on 'Apply'.. you will be asked if it is ok to lose all
restore points.. answer YES to this.. now click on 'OK'



Now to the removal process..



Run a one shot virus remover.. I have found that McAfee Stinger works for
people.. download and run it..



http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/



Another alternative is ..



http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp



Finish this process first..



You will also need to download Spyware removal software.. Spybot and Adaware
are available at these websites.. both are free.. download and run them..
don't forget to check for updates after you have started them..



http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html



http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/



.... and this link is for the latest Microsoft helping..



http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx



Spybot has the ability to immunize a system, but there is better for this
function, so download and run Spyware Blaster too.. again, check for
updates..



http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/



Time to turn ON System Restore.. this is obviously like turning it OFF, so
just reverse the procedure..



If you have any sense, you will now remove any programs that are known
carriers of all things bad.. some, like Patchou's MessengerPlus can be
installed such that the sponsor software does not get installed with it..
the sponsor software, if left, will re-infect your system immediately it is
run again.. use ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS to un-install and then re-install,
taking care to check the box that gives you the option of NOT accepting the
sponsor crap.. if a program installation process does not allow you to do
this, forget about it.. leave it well alone..



If you have had your Internet browser hijacked, that is to say, you get
redirected through a search engine NOT of your choosing, you will need
different tools..



HijackThis is a popular and effective tool.. download it from here..



http://www.spychecker.com/download/download_hijackthis.html



CWShredder will eliminate CoolWebSearch and variants.. there is a free
download here..



CWShredder.. http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html



About:blank.. http://www.securiteam.com/securityreviews/5RP0L0UD5U.html or

http://www.pchell.com/support/aboutblank.shtml



For other tools in the fight against spyware, visit this website and
bookmark it..



http://www.pchell.com



Mark Hasting has put much work into this site.. it is an invaluable site,
both for reference and fix-its..



You must also run a firewall and anti-virus program.. here are some links
for you..

http://www.mcafee.com

http://www.symantec.com

http://www.zonealarm.com

http://www.kerio.com

http://www.sygate.com

http://www.avast.com

http://www.grisoft.com



If you do not run a firewall and anti-virus solution, you are leaving
yourself open to attacks of all kinds.. these two types of program are your
first line of defence..



So by now, your system should be in reasonable shape.. you will have tools
'locked and loaded', ready for weekly use against those who seek to destroy
your pleasure.. incorporate these into a housekeeping policy that includes
running Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup, and you will be able to easily
maintain your system..



Please return to this thread and provide feedback.. it is the only way that
helpers here can determine how effective the advice given has been..



Good luck..



--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User

"If hard work were such a wonderful thing, surely the rich would have kept
it all to themselves." - Lane Kirkland


"rich" <user@hicom.net> wrote in message
news:oLete.16191$fa3.1947@trndny01...
> One day last week I booted up to find no programs will run. The program
> MIGHT show its opening screenm then lock up. Most times theyh don't get
> that far. Even trying to run msconfig is impossible, I get an hourglass
> for a few seconds then nothing, If I start windows xp in SAFE mode, I can
> run msconfig, but no programs will run.
> The only thing I can recall happening out of the ordinary was seeing that
> there were new windows updates flashing on the bottom of the screen. I
> have it set to not download but to alert me to new download...thsi
> apparently downloaded and wants to install. I even tried installing (as
> one of the updates was for malicious software)...but even that wouldn't
> run to install.
>
> I tried to run Norton but like all the other programs it won't launch. I
> can connect to the internet through verizon but as soon as I try to launch
> a browser it locks up, On another computer I downloaded a simple
> anti-virus program called AnitVir which DID extract and upon installation
> checkd my computer for viruses.......it found 40 trojans and 1 backdoor
> virus and cleaned then up. Yet nothing has changed as far as running
> programs.....I even tried running ANtivir again under save mode and it ran
> but under regular mode it won't.
>
> Anyone got any ideas what I can do?
>
> rich haynes

[rich]

Peter Foldes wrote:
> Try AdAware,Spybot,CW Shredder, Hijack this and some other AV's. If no luck may I suggest a system Restore.
> Wait for some more inputs to your Issue at present maybe some others can shed more light on it.
>

Almost forgot, system restore doesn't work either....I tried under safe
mode and no point works

rich

[Rock]

rich wrote:

> One day last week I booted up to find no programs will run. The program
> MIGHT show its opening screenm then lock up. Most times theyh don't get
> that far. Even trying to run msconfig is impossible, I get an hourglass
> for a few seconds then nothing, If I start windows xp in SAFE mode, I
> can run msconfig, but no programs will run.
> The only thing I can recall happening out of the ordinary was seeing
> that there were new windows updates flashing on the bottom of the
> screen. I have it set to not download but to alert me to new
> download...thsi apparently downloaded and wants to install. I even tried
> installing (as one of the updates was for malicious software)...but even
> that wouldn't run to install.
>
> I tried to run Norton but like all the other programs it won't launch. I
> can connect to the internet through verizon but as soon as I try to
> launch a browser it locks up, On another computer I downloaded a simple
> anti-virus program called AnitVir which DID extract and upon
> installation checkd my computer for viruses.......it found 40 trojans
> and 1 backdoor virus and cleaned then up. Yet nothing has changed as far
> as running programs.....I even tried running ANtivir again under save
> mode and it ran but under regular mode it won't.
>
> Anyone got any ideas what I can do?
>
> rich haynes

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Richard Harper’s Guide to Cleaning Pests
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

For viruses, start with Trend Micro’s Sysclean and McAfee’s Stinger.
Download them and the Sysclean signature file. Delete the temporary
internet files, turn off system restore, boot into safe mode and run
them. Boot back into normal mode and run a full AV scan with your
normal AV program. Then turn system restore back on.

Trend Micro Sysclean
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp

Trend Micro Signature File
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp

McAfee AVert Stinger Virus Removal Tool
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

You should also regularly run at least two of these online scans in
addition to your regular up to date AV program:

Online and Downloadable Virus Scanning:

Panda ActiveScan
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

Bit Defender Online Virus Scan:
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php

Symantec Online Virus and Security Scan:
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp

TrendMicro:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

McAfee Online Virus Scan:
http://www.mcafee.com/myapps/mfs/default.asp

RAV AntiVirus - Scan Online
http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/

F-Secure:
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

Run these programs to check for spyware/malware. After installing
update them, then boot into safe mode and run them. You should update
and run them weekly.

Cwshredder
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html

Ad-aware SE
http://www.lavasoftusa.com

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org

Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner
http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10247783.html

Pest Patrol Free Pest Scanner
http://store.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_main.entry25?page=FindOutWhosWatchingYou&client=ComputerAssociates&sid=35715

If you’re still having problems after running these then run HijackThis
and post the log to one of the specialty forums, _NOT_ this one.

HijackThis
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155

Forums to Interpret HijackThis Logs:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/

After your system is clean use these programs to help keep it clean:

Spywareblaster
www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

Spywareguard
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sgdownload.html

IE-SPYAD
http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm


--
Rock
MS MVP Windows - Shell/User