Ad Aware crippled my XP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike
  • Start date Start date
M

Mike

I was deleting spyware and and when I rebooted all I get
is my screensaver, no Start bar. I had visited a web page
that installed a web browser hi-jacker and Ad Aware told
me it couldn't delete. All this happened around 11:44 AM
here on Saturday. I guess I need to know how to restore
from just before then, I can't get to Windows Explorer to
try to restore the deleted files, Task Manager runs and
all programs function but all has to be done through Task
Manager.

It was a Win32 system file, bi.dll with a copy in
C:/Windows

I sure would appreciate any help! thanks

Mike
 
Greetings

Unfortunately, none of use have any idea way this is happening. Ad-aware is
most likely not the problem. Here are a few suggestions on how you can try
and fix it.

There is a very good chance this is being caused by a virus.

Reboot Windows XP into Safe Mode
--How to start Windows XP in Safe mode--
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001060608000039

1) Goto Start>>Run>>Type "regedit"
2) Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and delete
"Explorer %SYSTEM%\Explorer.exe"
3) Reboot your PC as normal.

If that doesnt work...

Reboot Windows XP into Safe Mode
--How to start Windows XP in Safe mode--
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001060608000039

1) Open My Computer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32. Search in the
System32 directory for "explore.exe" or "explorer.exe" If the file exists
delete it.
2) Goto http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and scan your either system for
virus.
3) Reboot your PC.

NOTE: Do NOT delete "explorer.exe" from your C:\Windows directory!

You may try the following if you don't boot into Safe Mode.

1) Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
2) Goto the Applications Tab
3) Click New Task...
4) Type "C:\Windows\explorer.exe", hit Enter
5) Open My Computer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32. Search in the
System32 directory for "explore.exe" or "explorer.exe" If the file exists
delete it.

NOTE: Do NOT delete "explorer.exe" from your C:\Windows directory!

Also try a virus scan to clean things up.
1) Open Internet Explorer
2) Goto http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and scan your either system for
virus.
3) Reboot your PC and see if you now have a desktop.

----If that doesnt work goto...----
Repair/Customize Desktop, Quick Launch, Taskbar and Notification Area
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

----More Help for No Desktop/No Taskbar----

HOW TO: Start the System Restore Tool from a Command Prompt in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304449

W32.Aplore Removal Information
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]

W32.HLLP.Handy Removal Information
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.hllp.handy.html

Taskbar Is Missing When You Log On to Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q318027

Preform a Spyware Scan
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

---If none of the above help i would suggest trying a repair install of
Windows XP.---

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
 
Try pressing the F8 key while booting then you can select Safe Mode to try
and get into XP. Do a system restore to a date previous to your problem.
 
Mike said:
I was deleting spyware and and when I rebooted all I get
is my screensaver, no Start bar. I had visited a web page
that installed a web browser hi-jacker and Ad Aware told
me it couldn't delete. All this happened around 11:44 AM
here on Saturday. I guess I need to know how to restore
from just before then, I can't get to Windows Explorer to
try to restore the deleted files, Task Manager runs and
all programs function but all has to be done through Task
Manager.
Click to expand...

Just use RESTORE to go back to before you did this then download Spybot from
www.eon.net.au and run it to get rid of the nasty stuff safely. Running
Adaware and Spybot on your system, periodically, is a good idea as both know
things the other doesn't but Spybot is better at getting rid of some things
that Adaware wont.
 
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