Windows XP Home CRASH... please help.

[WD4KAV]

Hello.

While entering data in Microsoft Works today, my system suddenly fell
to it's knees. I REALLY need help here, as I have LOTS of registered
software installed on this PC, and don't want to have to format the
hard drive and start from 'day 1'.

System: Compaq Pressario w/ Celeron 2.7 Gig CPU, 120 G HD, 512 M of
RAM & XP Home Edition (pre-installed...but also backed up to 7 CD's).

PROBLEM: Data entry in Works suddenly got all messed up ('numbers'
showed up as their 'shifted'value). I exited Works and re-booted.

NOW... whenever I click on just about any icon on the desktop, SEVERAL
icons are 'selected'. I am unable to run most programs by clicking on
a icon (as several get selected).

TWICE, while re-booting XP failed with:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or
corrupt:
<Windows Root>\System32\ntoskrl.exe. Please re-install a copy of the
above file."

I tried booting with disk 1 of my 7 CD XP disk set, but the only
option (other than Quit) is RESTORE, and the one other time I tried
that (due to a failed un-install of Adobe Acrobat 6.0) ALL my
purchased software (other than XP, of course) became 'unregistered'!
I want to avoid that again, if at all possible.

Any help you can give would be appreciated (and YES, this old 200 mhz
P II with win 98 seems SLOW by comparison...grin).

....Joe

 

[roger]

Hi WD4KAV,

Check for malware:

Download the utility CWshredder:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/cwshredder.zip

Unzip - close *all* instances of IE & OE, hit the executable and
follow
the prompts.

You can also download Hijack This from here:

http://www.mjc1.com/files/merijn/hijackthis.exe

Go here:
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

For instructions on how to use it; you have to post the log it
produces so experts tell you what is good and what is malware


Try downloading, installing and updating the
spyware removers from the links below. Run both of them.

Ad-aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

Spybot S&D
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download


If these don't correct the problem, then get yourself a copy of
BHODemon, available at
http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm .

It does not need installing - simply unzip and run the EXE program. It
is easy to use. It will find the hijackware DLL files, and give you
the ability to disable them.

Perform an online scan of your box at any of the following:

Trend Micro HouseCall:
http://housecall.antivirus.com/pc_housecall/

Panda Active Scan:
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan/

RAV AntiVirus Online Virus Scan
http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/

BitDefender Free Online Virus Scan
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php

Good luck