malware removed now computer has several issues

[soilsenasuil]

Hi, I was infected with "system security malware"... I had to restart several times and finally was able to delete it from my application data and registry thorugh safe mode. Now I have been trying to download a malware remover but my pc will not initialize any .exe file and throws an error. Also it will not let me checkdisk nor defrag. The current malware and virus protector I have is obviously useless so I thought a new one would be a good idea. Also several other programs will not initiate and occasionally I will start hearing as if a video is playing but there is nothing open. Any help please! Thank you......

I have XP sp2....

[glc]

The BEST thing to do is save your data files somewhere safe and reformat/reinstall. However, you could try a repair reinstall.

Repair Reinstallation of Windows XP (using XP CD)

The best malware remover out there right now is Malwarebytes. Any of the "big 3" free antivirus packages are decent (AVG, Avast, Avira).

[soilsenasuil]

Thank you for the info but my virus scanner found rootkit.win32.agent and quarantined it and now ask if I want to delete it.... is it safe to just delete it or is it a needed file that has been infected... thank you!

[glc]

If it found a rootkit, you should zero fill the hard drive and reinstall from scratch.

[soilsenasuil]

I was able to finally download malwarebytes and smitfraudfix and seemed to clean the system and registry of malware. I still cannot run chkdsk nor defrag but I am starting to believe I had this problem already since I can now execute all other software. Thank you for your advice.

[soilsenasuil]

Hi, I just completed a scan of my system to remove malware. My system is now functioning correctly in all respects except the defrag will not start and same message for chkdsk. Any ideas why this should be? Can I download these from somewhere to replace my files and associated files or am I stuck with them not working. I believe this was a problem before the malware and I just had not defrag in awhile....Thank you.

[glc]

Threads merged.

I still think a reinstall would be best. You have some trashed system files.

If you have your xp cd, you could run the system file checker and try and repair your files but your best bet is to follow glc's advice and reinstall.

[soilsenasuil]

I really do not want to reinstall unitil I have tried everything else I can. I am going to try sfc to see if it can repair any files then if absolutely necessary I will try the complete reinstall... thank you

[glc]

Try a REPAIR reinstall. This replaces ALL system files without affecting data or software.

Repair Reinstallation of Windows XP (using XP CD)