Re: Windows unable to run explorer.exe or IE

Dave Sell wrote:

> Partial reply to NotMe
>
> As I understand Windows is a conglom of many processes including
> explorer.exe & iexplore.exe. What I get on a reboot is my desktop
> background and the mouse pointer in the middle of the screen. I am
> able to
> move the mouse and <CTRL+ALT+DEL> brings up taskmgr. So mouse and
> keyboard
> portions of Win is working. A program called explorer.exe and
> iexplore.exe
> exist. Their versions claim current Microsoft. I get the feeling that
> those versions have been denied access maybe by the virus or by some
> other action. I have looked at properties and both have the same
> properties as NOTEPAD.EXE and FREECELL.EXE which both work. Where else
> would access rights to progrmas
> be? What other reason would they now run? Is there a way to check if
> any other files have been denied access? Or maybe something simpler is
> broke?
>
> NAV is current and a check of ALL files reveals nothing now. I am
> able to
> access the internet for updates for both Wndows and Norton. Windows
> update
> is set to auto download and install. I can run all the .CPL files so
> I can make some changes. I can rename, delete, move files with
> taskmgr.
>
> I have tried SFC.EXE with original WinXP Home CD. I think I'll have to
> load SP2 again - I'm not sure if versions of all system files go back
> to
> original. ...?
> Dave Sell
>
> ------------------
> NotMe
> strange...explorer.exe IS windows, if it's not running, you aren't in
> windows.
>
> iexplore.exe on the other hand is internet explorer.
> it sounds like you may still be infected.
>

Actually explorer.exe is just the Graphical User Interface (gui). It is
not "Windows". However, you need to have it run for normal operation.
Here's the thing - the OP didn't know this simple piece of information
but yet wrote a "batch file" to do who-knows-what and made numerous
other changes in his efforts to remove the trojan (for which there are
removal steps if you know where to look). I'm not saying this to hurt
Mr. Sells' feelings - I'm just stating an apparent fact and being
practical regarding remedies.

At this point, the system is in an unknown state. Undocumented changes
have been made, so unwinding from these will be most difficult. I would
back up any data first, either with Knoppix or a Bart's, and then try a
Repair Install. If the Repair Install doesn't work, the easiest and
probably best solution will be a Clean Install.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm - Repair Install
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install

http://www.knoppix.net
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
.

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