[espinosakj]

I recently had a run in with a Win32/Virut virus and it infected many files on my computer. I was able to remove the virus but now when my computer loads it opens with the XP screen and no icons or start up menu. I can access many programs through the Windows task manager. But many of my programs will not open. Any Ideas on what to do???

Thanks

[techkid]

Hi espinosakj, and welcome to TSG.

It sounds like Windows Explorer is either somehow stopped from running, or possibly corrupted.

Try this. Go back into Task Manager > New Task, and type in "explorer" without the quotes. This should bring up your Start Menu, icons and taskbar. Let us know how this goes.

[tomsxp]

Sounds like you still have it, did you scroll down and download and run this >>

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/890830

[espinosakj]

i tried typing explorer in the new task and it came up with we cannot find explorer warning and i clicked on the link that was posted with the support and it could not connect to server. i am redoing the virus scan to see if there are any viruses left on here.

thanks

[raybro]

What AV program are you using?

Raybro

[Rich-M]

If you right click the Desktop and choose "View " make sure there is a checlmark in front of "show desktop icons".

[techkid]

Originally Posted by espinosakj

i tried typing explorer in the new task and it came up with we cannot find explorer warning

It sounds to me like when you cleaned the virus, Windows Explorer was washed away with it...

Your best course of action at this point might be to do a repair install of Windows. What this should do is remove and reinstall Windows, while leaving your installed programs and files in place. You may have to reinstall some programs, but will not be as bad as a full format. There is a step-by-step guide available here:

http://www.windowsxphome.windowsrein...exfullpage.htm

You would be advised, though, to backup your important files in case things go wrong. For this I recommend downloading Puppy Linux (http://puppylinux.org/main/index.php...ad%20Puppy.htm). Burn the image to a CD, and then reboot the computer, making sure to boot from the CD.

With this, you should be able to access files off your hard drive, and copy them to a USB drive.