Well, explorer.exe will open, but close almost instantly. I see my taskbar flash into view for a split-second, then disappear. iexplore.exe won't open either. Renaming these and then running won't work either. Windows Task Manager seems to work fine, it's the only way that I can open applications now. My startup programs aren't getting run, but I can manually start them. TopDesk Trial gives an error if I start it. I don't seem to have any other problems. I'm running Windows XP Home Edition 5.01.2600 SP2.

Things I did before this:

1. Turn on computer, and log on to my account.
   
2. Install Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta 1. I didn't complete a scan. This still works fine.
   
3. Log off.
   
4. Log on to my brother's account.
   
5. Used Firefox and Opera.
   
6. Reinstalled Flash Player 7 plugin.
   
7. Install then uninstall Google Desktop search.
   
8. Log off.
   
9. Log on to my account and *BAM* I have a huge problem.

if u r using windows xp then try to use the system restore feature... u can acees this from
start>programs>accessories>system tools>system restore.. then follow the screenn.......

I have System Restore turned off.

Wasn't System Restore in Windows ME as well?

then try to reinstall msn explorer...(latest one for ur os).. this may fix ur peoblem...

What MSN Messenger version are you running? Check out some other spyware products to see if something is there that MS isn't picking up. Try Spybot or AdWare

In the Task Manager goto

File > New Task > type msconfig and hit enter.

On the General Tab click on Diagnostic Startup. Click ok and reboot. If a program is causing explorer.exe to crash then this should fix it. It maybe that the user.exe is corrupted for your account and if thats the case your screwed and will have to create a new account and delete this one.

quote:

---

Originally posted by shezi_ali
then try to reinstall msn explorer...(latest one for ur os).. this may fix ur peoblem...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by mwe99
What MSN Messenger version are you running? Check out some other spyware products to see if something is there that MS isn't picking up. Try Spybot or AdWare

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Matty
In the Task Manager goto

File > New Task > type msconfig and hit enter.

On the General Tab click on Diagnostic Startup. Click ok and reboot. If a program is causing explorer.exe to crash then this should fix it. It maybe that the user.exe is corrupted for your account and if thats the case your screwed and will have to create a new account and delete this one.

---

Means you should have an adminstrative account when doing that, and what Matty suggested, will work, I guess.

Create a New account ,  an delete the old one

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brian
Means you should have an adminstrative account when doing that, and what Matty suggested, will work, I guess.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by rav0
There has never been a non-admin account on my computer.

---

Just make a New Account , that should fix your problems, but b aware the Microsoft Spyware program is just a Beta an will have problems with it, ur better to use something more stable

The problem is in all acounts. I made a new one, it's there too.

I just noticed something, I have had my Windows version showing on my desktop. It would always at the bottom right. If I moved or hid the taskbar, it would move into the very bottom, otherwise it would be at the bottom, just clear of the taskbar. Now that there is no taskbar there, it didn't move, it is in the same position that it would be if the taskbar was there. I hope that that makes sense.

Even though it gave an error, Diagnostic Startup seemed to have effect, though it didn't fix my problem. When custom startup options are enabled, Windows should give a warning at logon, it didn't, but it had a normal startup entry in the registry.

Windows is now asking me to reactivate because there have been 'significant hardware changes' but I haven't changed any hardware. I can reactivate, but I'd rather not.

i'd be formatting XP an reinstalling or ring Microsoft an get ya Creditcard out an hopee they can help otherwise ur screwed

quote:

---

Originally posted by rav0
split-second, then disappear. iexplore.exe won't open either. Renaming these and then running won't work either. Windows Task Manager seems to work fine, it's the only way that I can open applications now. My startup programs aren't getting run, but I can manually start them. TopDesk

---

There's some ... umm ... files on there that i want to keep

@Purity
Do you know what the virus name is, or do you have a removal tool?

I have a stack of assignments and my pc is almost impossible to use.

quote:

---

Originally posted by rav0
1) Turn on computer, and log on to my account.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by CookieRevised
First mistake in such cases....

ALWAYS boot up in safe mode and run immediatly a virusscan

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Demz
F8 or F12 to get into safe Mode isnt it Cookie?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Demz
and for a Virus, it doesnt always mean there's a virus causing the problem. Can be anything like if there are bad sectors on the HDD, they need dealling with.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by CookieRevised
Everything I read points in big letters to "virus". Either way, even if it is something else, you DO need to make a virusscan first, in safe mode, to make sure.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by CookieRevised
As any other action taken, without doing a scan first, will only result in a possible virus spreading and damaging more and more... Only when you are 200% certain it isn't a virus you can go to the next step of the diagnostic and scan for adware/spyware. Then when that is finished (and fixed) you can start dealing with HDD errors and the likes...

Doing this in any other order will only result in more havoc and unfixable things..

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by CookieRevised

quote:

---

Originally posted by Demz
F8 or F12 to get into safe Mode isnt it Cookie?

---

something like that, or F5...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by chris4

quote:

---

Originally posted by CookieRevised

quote:

---

Originally posted by Demz
F8 or F12 to get into safe Mode isnt it Cookie?

---

something like that, or F5...

---

It's F8

---

I'll try that. How does running a scan in safe mode work better that running a scan in a normal environment, though?

there are less processes running, which would include the viral process if there is one, allowing the virus scan to detect more easily, because the viral process could be stopping your anti-virus software from doing its job. But your computer seems to have a Virus or adware/spyware, which are all reasonably easy to move. Ad-Aware SE and Spybot are exellent adware/spyware removals. Norton is a top of the line Anti-Virus remover. Also run an online virus scan from here ---> http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/home.asp?langi...SYGRHYTINMHDKDCWLL  <--- if this doesnt work contact me, and will try to help you further. Goodluck, hope it all works out for you

I have the same problem in safe mode, so I can't start a scan. Does anyone know the command to get the Norton AntiVirus 2004 Professional GUI up, and the default installation path?

If it is any use to anyone, below are the processes that I have running in safe mode, and under a normal boot. I noticed that one instance of svchost.exe has a significantly higher that the rest. Is this normal?

Safe Mode:

Normal:

svchost.exe has been known, and from experience to be infected by certain, Backdoor Trojans and worms. If you are experiencing high svchost.exe it could be caused by a virus. I recommend you run an online scan from here--> http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?pr...angid=ie&venid=sym <-- and this will scan your computer for any potential threats, if you are able to run internet explorer. If you cannot then if you have another computer networked to that one. use your antivirus software from the other computer to scan your Harddrive. I cannot see anything else that could be stopping explorer.exe from running, unless you have a corrupt windows file(s). Hope this helps you.

Symantec's checker wont start for me, I see the intro pages, but when I should get the checker, I get a file not found error.

I tried running explorer.exe from my SP2 installer, that failed also.

Try going into www.symantec.com.au > security responce > then scroll down and click on check for security risks, and go from there, that may help your situation, finger corrsed! good luck Mate!