Re: Start-up problem
From: Malke (malke_at_nospoonnotreally.com)
Date: 09/13/04
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Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 10:01:07 -0700
Sean Power wrote:
> HI,
>
> I know its a week later, but ...
That's OK, Sean. See my comments inline:
>
> I can successfully boot into safe mode and create a new account.
> However, when i shutdown and start agina, log into this new account,
> it still restarts the PC after the log-in screen. I have tried both
> the traditional log-in and the XP user selection screen, with the same
> result. One error I have noticed - both the autoexec.bat and
> config.sys files are emtpy. They exist on the C:\ root but do not have
> any data in (either as a size indicator when viewing under the command
> prompt or when editing). There is another file in there called
> autoexectuted.bat which shows commands for deleting both the
> autoexec.bat and config.sys files.
Windows XP does not use autoexec.bat or config.sys for itself. Those
files are there for backwards compatibility with older programs. Based
on what you've written above, I would say that you have malware on your
computer.
>
> My experience of XP is somewhat limited (as you might have guessed)
> but this does seem strange. The PC does not have virus protection on -
> could we have picked up a virus from somewhere? Since this does seem a
> possiblity, I will install an anti-virus system anyway as a safeguard.
> Can you suggest anything else it could be?
If you do not have a current (no earlier than 2003 version) antivirus
installed using updated definitions, then the probability that you have
a virus on your computer is high. You should get a full-featured
antivirus immediately. If you have trouble installing it, then your
system is definitely infected. Post back for help then.
The probability that you have other malware not strictly viral in nature
is also high. Here are some general troubleshooting steps:
Scan with a current antivirus program (meaning a version not earlier
than 2003 using updated virus definitions). Also, remove spyware with
Spybot Search & Destroy from www.safer-networking.org and Ad-aware from
www.lavasoftusa.com. Be sure to update these programs before running
them. These programs are free, so run them both since they complement
each other. It is best to run antivirus and spyware removal tools in
Safe Mode. You may also want to run CWShredder and HijackThis from
http://aumha.org/freeware.htm. Although CWShredder is no longer being
updated, it will still clean older variants of the CoolWebSearch
malware. A combination of HijackThis and About:Buster
(http://www.majorgeeks.com) works well in removing homepage hijackers.
Please read the instructions carefully. Make sure you are able to see
all hidden files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options). Also,
make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update. Make sure
you are running a firewall.
If all of this is overwhelming - and it's perfectly OK to admit if it is
- take the machine to a good local computer repair shop (not a BestBuy
or CompUSA type of store) for cleaning.
Good luck,
Malke
-- MS-MVP Windows User/Shell Elephant Boy Computers www.elephantboycomputers.com "Don't Panic"
- Next message: anonymous_at_discussions.microsoft.com: "Can't open email, printer want stop printing after last subject was printed."
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