CTL + Alt + Delete =...!?

[KiticanaX]

Nothing. My Task Manager doesn't pop up anymore. Can someone please help?

[glc]

Right click on the taskbar and click on Task Manager.

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by glc Right click on the taskbar and click on Task Manager.

Nothing happens.

[glc]

What operating system, and have you done malware scans? Have you tried a system restore to before the problem started?

[rjfvillarosa]

I have used the VB scripts on this site many times and several of them I use all the time, so I trust them.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Scroll down to line #51 right hand column "Enable the Task manager - Disable the Task manager"
Left click on the text 'Enable the Task manager' and a download/run window will open, save or run from the window, this will make a registry change and hopefully bring back your task manager.
When you press CTL + Alt + Delete do you get the message "Task manager has been disabled by your administrator"?

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by glc What operating system, and have you done malware scans? Have you tried a system restore to before the problem started?

Windows XP Home Edition.

And I don't remember exactly THE day when it started (maybe since I reinstalled my OS). However I clearly do remember screwing around with the Registry in order to get Windows to work while a Microsoft Employee helped me out over the phone.

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa I have used the VB scripts on this site many times and several of them I use all the time, so I trust them. http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm Scroll down to line #51 right hand column "Enable the Task manager - Disable the Task manager" Left click on the text 'Enable the Task manager' and a download/run window will open, save or run from the window, this will make a registry change and hopefully bring back your task manager. When you press CTL + Alt + Delete do you get the message "Task manager has been disabled by your administrator"?

Could you explain this in a bit more detail. All I got was left click on #51 on "Enable Task Manager" and that's it. Sorry but I'm a little out of the wind now.

[glc]

Click on it and either save it or run it. If you save it, you will have to run it from the download location.

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by KiticanaX However I clearly do remember screwing around with the Registry in order to get Windows to work while a Microsoft Employee helped me out over the phone.

It sounds like your "screwing around" disabled the task manager.

Originally Posted by KiticanaX Could you explain this in a bit more detail. All I got was left click on #51 on "Enable Task Manager" and that's it. Sorry but I'm a little out of the wind now.

Despite the fact that the pieces of text are along side one another 'Enable Task Manager' and 'Disable Task manager' are two seperate download links.
Left click on 'Enable Task Manager' and in the GUI (graphic user interface) download Window that opens you will be given three options, Run, Save and Cancel, click 'Run' and you will then get a message saying 'Are you sure you wish to add this entry to the registry' or 'Are you sure you want to make this change to the registry' Click OK and the change will be made and hopefully your task manager will be returned to you.

[KiticanaX]

But when I left click it the GUI download window doesn't appear. And when I click "Save Link As" (I'm using Firefox it just saves it as a Notepad file. I did the same in Safari and got similar results.

[glc]

UNHIDE your file extensions and please tell us what the complete file name is, WITH extension. I could care LESS what kind of icon it has or what "kind" of file Windows thinks it is.

It should be "taskmanager.reg". If it is, DOUBLE CLICK it and it will edit your registry for you.

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by glc UNHIDE your file extensions and please tell us what the complete file name is, WITH extension.

Please explain. how do I "unhide" my file extensions.

Originally Posted by glc It should be "taskmanager.reg". If it is, DOUBLE CLICK it and it will edit your registry for you.

Well I double clicked the file and Task Manager isn't popping up.

[glc]

Control panel, folder options, view. UNcheck "hide extensions for known file types".

When you double click, it should ask you permission to edit the registry.

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by glc Control panel, folder options, view. UNcheck "hide extensions for known file types". When you double click, it should ask you permission to edit the registry.

I unchecked it and when I double clicked the registry file nothing happened it just opened up in Notepad again. Can't I just run my registry editor?

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by KiticanaX when I double clicked the registry file

The registry file, what .ext does it have? .reg or .txt? Does the icon for the file look like kiddies building blocks or a notepad?

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa The registry file, what .ext does it have? .reg or .txt? Does the icon for the file look like kiddies building blocks or a notepad?

.txt., and it's a notepad

[rjfvillarosa]

Kiti. That's the problem.
Change the .txt to .reg by renaming the file, but only the ext, leave the filename as is.
Now double click it and hopefully it will put this little problem right for you.

[exil0r]

Your pc may infected by Virut or sality virus. It useless to change the registry

[glc]

When you download the file, you do *NOT* save it as a .txt or Notepad file - it *MUST* be saved as a .reg or registry file! That is what the .reg extension signifies. The file is "taskmanager.reg".

[Ahura]

Most likely not Virut.

You'll be better off running some sort of AV scan to see. Like Nod32 online
Then malwarebyte, then microsoft malicious remove tool latest.

[KiticanaX]

Okay I changed it to .reg, and it is a .reg file due to the fact that the stuff you told me before happened and that the icon change. But Task Manager still doesn't pop up.

[glc]

I clearly do remember screwing around with the Registry in order to get Windows to work while a Microsoft Employee helped me out over the phone.

Maybe it's time for another reinstall.

[rjfvillarosa]

When the file was still in .txt (notepad) did the notepad page open and display text like this?

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System] "DisableTaskMgr"=dword:00000000 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy Objects\LocalUser\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System] "DisableTaskMgr"=dword:00000000 "**del.DisableTaskMgr"=" " [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system\] "DisableTaskMgr"=dword:00000000 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon] "DisableCAD"=dword:00000000

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa When the file was still in .txt (notepad) did the notepad page open and display text like this?

Yes that exactly.

[KiticanaX]

I would like to point out before I went and changed my registry while I was on the phone with tech support we saved a backup of the default registry. I know I should have used it by now but I'm afraid that if I do I may not be able to log onto XP. Should I take the risk and change it all?

[rjfvillarosa]

What was the original problem?

[KiticanaX]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa What was the original problem?

Windows wouldn't give me the license number to register.

[rjfvillarosa]

What do you mean "Windows wouldn't give me the license number"?
Had you just installed/reinstalled Windows?
Did you use the product code key that came with the installation CD or were you doing a factory reinstall?
Did you get a blue screen with a message offering to help you register Windows via the telephone?

[KiticanaX]

Okay usually when you reinstall Windows you have to enter your serial number. I did that then you had to register it with a number that you are suppose to either get online or through technical service. This works by entering in your serial number so that Windows can supply you with this number so that you can tell it to the technician so they can give you your registration number.

The thing is that I never got that number that I was suppose to tell the technician.

[rjfvillarosa]

Normally you enter the Product code during the installation process and registration is automatic via the internet. If your copy of Windows fails to register and you get the option of registering via the phone, one of several things could have happened.
The most common reasons are:
1. no internet connection
2. multiple uses of the same product code
3. pirated copy of Windows
If you get this screen you would normally see a fault code that you need to give the customer support person via the phone and they in turn would give you a new registration key.
Did you reinstall Windows more than once in three months?
Did you make any hardware changes that necessitated a format and reinstall of Windows?

[glc]

Is this a name brand computer or a generic? Is your Windows CD a generic CD or a name brand computer restore CD?