Help, I can't access any programs

[larry38]

Yesterday I was using my daughter's computer cleaning some things up. I had removed a spyware program and it continued to work normally for a while. Then something went haywire because I could no longer access any programs. That is, I couldn't access any programs using the desktop icons or from the start programs menu. I thought about doing a system restore, but I can't start that program. The computer boots to the desktop and everything appears normal except when you try to launch a program. From the start menu, you can access things like accessories then system tools without a problem but when you click on system restore you just get the same message you get when you try to launch any program and that is

"Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

A description of her computer is as follows: Operating system - Windows XP Home edition; mb ASUS A8N-E; CPU - AMD 3200+; RAM - 1 Gb; Lite-On it optical drive; Floppy Drive - Mitsumi ; HD Seagate, Barracuda 7200, 80 Gb; Video card - EVGA eGeForce 6600GT; Power supply - Antec Smart power 2.0, 450 watt.

Can anyone help me get this straightened out? Thanks before hand for all suggestions.

[law99]

Will it work in Safe Mode? There is also Last Good Known Config.
What was the spyware program? How was it removed?

[larry38]

Thanks for the reply, Law99.

Originally Posted by law99 Will it work in Safe Mode? I haven't tried to boot it into Safe Mode, so I am not sure if it will work there or not. I'll check that tomorrow when I am over at her house. There is also Last Good Known Config. I'll try this tomorrow What was the spyware program? How was it removed?

I'm not sure what the spyware program was (something that got downloaded to look for spyware, but then wanted you to give them $ before it would fix it.) I removed the program using the Add/Remove utility in windows. She has AVG 7.5 anti-virus installed and I updated it first thing yesterday and scanned the computer before I got started doing anything.

[law99]

That sounds like it infected the PC. I hope Save Mode works & you can run AV & AS programs.
Do know after today AVG 7.5 will not update? A good read, mainly posts #5&6>

http://forums.pcpitstop.com/index.php?showtopic=156942

You may want to make a CD with new AV & HighjackThis v2.0.2 & take it.

SUPERAntiSpyware, a-squared, ThreatFire (active), Spybot are good & free. Spyware Blaster a active blocker.
Never download a unknown

[larry38]

Well, I just got back from trying to get my daughters computer to work. I booted into Safe mode and selected last known good config. It didn't make any difference. So I re-booted into safe mode again and selected safe mode. The computer wouldn't go any further than the black screen that says "safe mode" and some information relative to the XP version running on the machine. (Does anyone have a suggestion as to what might be keeping the system from continuing to boot to the desktop?) After waiting for about five minutes, I launched the task manager (by pressing ctrl alt del) and from that I could get the programs to launch as expected.

I would like to be able to logon as Administrator but can't launch it using the User Accounts in the control panel. Is there some other way I can logon as Administrator? I know that when I booted into Safe Mode, there was a screen that asked me if I wanted to logon in as Administrator or and my daughter. I selected Administrator but was never able to get to the desk top in Safe Mode. Tomorrow I hope to have time to download Spybot and Adware and scan the computer with these looking for a problem.

Is there anyone out there with other ideas I might try? I really appreciate the help I've received so far.

[larry38]

Oh, I forget to say that I could get to the net via Internet Explorer and Foxfire from the desktop icons but can't launch anything else.

[glc]

The *only* way to log in as Administrator with XP Home is in safe mode.

[law99]

Sure Spybot & AdAware are good, so is SUPERAntispyware.

You may want to make a CD with new AV & HighjackThis v2.0.2 & take it.

HJT instructions here by Administrator Jacee for a forum dedicated to HJT logs (you could register at home)>

http://forums.pcpitstop.com/index.php?showtopic=157097

If it is a bad infection there is no better help!

[larry38]

Originally Posted by glc The *only* way to log in as Administrator with XP Home is in safe mode.

Thanks for the information glc. When I tried to log in as Administrator in Safe Mode (only tried it one time) it didn't complete the boot to the desktop as I thought it would. Do you have any ideas why that might be?

[larry38]

Originally Posted by law99 Sure Spybot & AdAware are good, so is SUPERAntispyware. You may want to make a CD with new AV & HighjackThis v2.0.2 & take it. HJT instructions here by Administrator Jacee for a forum dedicated to HJT logs (you could register at home)> http://forums.pcpitstop.com/index.php?showtopic=157097 If it is a bad infection there is no better help!

I'll try to check it out tomorrow with those you suggested. Hope to find out the problem soon because patience isn't one of my daughter's strong points. Thanks for your suggestions.

[law99]

A bad infection repaired by a HJT Pro adviser might not be a fast fix. You maybe should look at some in the repair process.

http://forums.pcpitstop.com/index.php?showforum=25

A reinstall could be the fastest fix.

Instructions are clear or ask, your daughter should be able to do it if she can run the PC as is.

[glc]

A nuke and pave would be the *fastest* way to fix it.

[larry38]

Thanks for the hint, glc. I will probably wind up doing as you suggested, i.e. nuke and pave it. At the moment I am re-running AVG (verrrrrrrrrry slow) and it has already found several problems and the trojan horse Sheur. I'm letting it run until I can get back over there tomorrow sometime. I assume that when I nuke and pave it, I will reformat the whole drive (there are several partitions) - is this correct? I would like to backup the files not contained in the C:\ partition to an external USB drive that I have. I'll keep you posted on the progress. Thanks again for your help.

[glc]

Once you back up the files, I'd zero fill the drive and start from square 1.

[larry38]

Thanks for the information, glc. I had thought I should zero fill the drive. Just one question - after doing a zero fill, do I also need to reformat the HDD, or does the zero fill accomplish everything that I might need to do?

[glc]

The OS reinstall allows you to partition and format it. Zero fill totally wipes it like it came from the factory.

[larry38]

Once again, Thanks glc. I appreciate your taking time to explain it to me. I have it in my plans to do a zero fill tomorrow when I get some time. After that, I'll attack getting the software and drivers loaded and will report back the final results. Thanks again

[larry38]

Two days ago I started scanning with AVG (it took about 30 hours) but found several viruses and trojans. After dealing with those, I downloaded AVAST and scanned the system again and found some more. After getting that done, the system appears to be working great again and I didn't have to start all over again after doing the zero fill. I was prepared to do that however as I had downloaded the zero fill and other utilities from the Seagate site so I am prepared to do that if it turns out to be necessary. I reminded my daughter that she needed to be careful what she downloaded and what sites she visited on the web. Anyway, Thanks to all for the help - you are a great source of helpful information.