[masconomo]

I'm back......
everything is fine when I boot up in safe mode. No problems with opening My Docs , Control Panel.

[rainforest123]

m:
Congratulations!

Now, return to page 1 of this thread and follow the clean boot troubleshooting instructions.

Test by trying to reproduce the errors / failures.
Test everything that has resulted in an error / failure.

RF123

[masconomo]

Do you suggest downloading Windows "Guided Help" for clean boot? Also, keep in mind that I've never received any error notices -- I just can't open folders on the desktop, My Docs or the Control Panel.

[rainforest123]

m:
I have just re-read pages 1 & 2 of this thread.

There is an entry that bothers me; pandobar

I am going to have a moderator obtain a consultation from a malware removal specialist at Techguy.org.

Please wait until an antimalware specialist looks at the case. It may take 24 to 96 hours.

RF123

[Paynesmanor]

Originally Posted by rainforest123

Take a look at this thread.

http://forums.techguy.org/malware-re...ml#post5698983

RF123

Could you give me a fish? Or fix your quote?

[rainforest123]

P:
I am sorry for being so dense. I do not understand.

If you are having a computer problem, I suggest that you start your own thread.


Cheers.
RF123

[masconomo]

Thanks. Pandobar is a toolbar an app that allows you to send large files through email. www.pando.com

[Paynesmanor]

Sorry this is not related to your problem, Your Quote says "teach someone to fish and they eat for a day, Teach someone to fish and they eat for a lifetime" It should be "GIVE someone a fish and they eat for a day, Teach them to fish and they eat for a lifetime"

[rainforest123]

P:
Thanks. Yes, I am aware of the verbage in the quote. That's why I cited the reference and noted "with apologies to".



RF123

[rainforest123]

m:
Please do the following
start > run
type: msconfig
press "enter"
In the future, I will simply state "go to the sys config utility"

If you are in selective startup, click on each tab and note that which is checked or unchecked.
If in normal startup, go to the "services" tab.
Left click "hide all microsoft services"
Left click "hide all"
Now, go to the "startup" tab.
Left click "hide all"
Left click ok
Left click "no" to restart.
Shut down your computer.

NOTE: your will have no protection against viruses, spyware or hackers.
Disconnect the ethernet cable, if present, from the back of your computer.

Turn on your computer.
Test.

If the problems occur, report.

If the problems do NOT occur,
enter the sys config utility

services tab.
Hide all microsoft services
Enable 1/2 of the services.
I like to group them by manufacturer.
Keep careful notes.
OK
reboot

If the problems do NOT occur,
enter the sys config utility
hide microsoft services
enable 1/2 of those still disabled.
reboot
test

Continue this process until the problem returns or you are down to 1 service.
Enable last service.
reboot
test

During the above process, pay attention to the startup group, as well. Sometimes, when we enable a service, a startup group item also springs to action.

After all services have been enabled, AND the problem has not returned, begin to enable the startup group items, 1/2 at a time; reboot; test.

Continue until the problem returns, or you are back into normal mode.

On rare occasions, the clean boot process will fix a problem.

During the clean boot process, if the problem returns, and you have most previously enabled 6 items, return to the sys config utility and disable 3 of the most recent 6.
reboot
test

"Divide and conquer"

If you have questions, please ask.

RF123

[masconomo]

Hi RF,

I followed your instructions and the original problems still occured.

BTW -- in your instructions did you mean to say "left click disable all"? There is no separate "hide all" button to click.

I rebooted in several different hide/disable formats but the problems were still there.

[rainforest123]

m:
RATS!

Yes, thanks for the correction.

That means that the problem is 1 or more of the following:
Malware;
Driver;
A Microsoft service [ could be malware masquerading as a Microsoft service ];
Item loading from system.ini;
Item loading from win.ini

Not many things load, in Win XP from the win.ini & system.ini files.

Trying to identify a problematic driver is possible, but tedious.
For FUTURE [ hopefully you will never have to use it ]
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308514

There is a problem with troubleshooting Microsoft Services. As noted, below:
"If you disable these services, you may permanently delete all restore points. Do not do this if you want to use the System Restore utility together with existing restore points.
e. Click OK, and then click Restart."
Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 "

I suggest that you follow the steps, immediately below "Step 2:" from Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

If that fails to help locate the source, go to the system restore utility and find out how far back system restore points are available.

On 15 March, you wrote: "I did a Sys Restore but it didn't help.".
How far back did you take your system?
If you do that again, you will undo the actions of the script devil_himself wrote for you.

Please follow these steps.

Step 2: Configure selective startup options
1. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click the General tab, and then click Selective Startup.
2. Click to clear the Process SYSTEM.INI File check box.
3. Click to clear the Process WIN.INI File check box.
4. Click to clear the Load Startup Items check box.
5. Click the Services tab.
6. Click to select the Hide All Microsoft Services check box.
7. Click Disable All, and then click OK..
8. When you are prompted, click Restart to restart the computer.
Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353


Please read this, VERY CAREFULLY. Do not perform these steps at this time. The steps are intended for Vista, os, in XP you can disregard the reference to User Account Control Permission.

"Step 1: Perform a clean boot
Note If the computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent you from following these steps. We strongly recommend that you do not use the System Configuration utility to modify the advanced boot options on the computer unless a Microsoft support engineer directs you to do this. Doing this may make the computer unusable.
a. Log on to the computer by using an account that has administrator rights.
b. Click Start Start button , type msconfig.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER to start the System Configuration Utility.

User Account Control permission If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
c. On the General tab, click Selective Startup, and then click to clear the Load startup items check box. (The Use Original Boot.ini check box is unavailable.)
d. On the Services tab, click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then click Disable all.

Note Following this step lets Microsoft services continue to run. These services include Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, Error Reporting, and other services. If you disable these services, you may permanently delete all restore points. Do not do this if you want to use the System Restore utility together with existing restore points.
e. Click OK, and then click Restart."
Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

See these for detailed information about clean booting.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135 << for Vista, but applies equally to XP, and better written.


RF123