Oops..

[luke333]

Hey guys, I'm new here, and you guys seem to be like the people that would be able to help me in some matter. I recently got a five year old alienware (passed down from my uncle) to use for gaming over the mac i already had. it worked great, and after downloading a few things, I kept getting an irritating pop-up that said there was spyware on my computer, and of course, the computer started acting very sluggish and froze every 5 minutes opposed to its normal amazing performance. So i downloaded a free anti spyware/virus program called Spywareterminator. I scanned my computer and it found alot of threatening files, so i hit remove. I didnt see explorer.exe in the list, but wouldnt you know, it got deleted. Now when i log on in normal mode, the screen is just a wallpaper and it blinks. in safe mode, it does the same thing, so i cant ctrl alt del in either mode, and i'm stuck in this sh*tty situation. Any ideas? If it comes down to reinstalling xp pro again, that's fine, and if you would be so kind to direct me to the right programs for virus and spyware protection, it would be appreciated. im very new to windows, because ive been a mac user for 7 years.

Thanks,
Luke

 

[xwb]

AVG antivirus isn't too bad - it is also free.

Don't know about anti-spyware.

 

[wolluf]

A repair reinstall may fix your immediate problem - leaving apps & data intact

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315341

If your install disk is lower service pack level than install you'll need to reapply service pack (& any windows updates) - or you can create a slipstreamed new install CD with service pack (and hotifixes since SP2 if you want) - eg,

http://www.nliteos.com.

If you haven't to backup & don't mind reinstalling apps, a clean install might be better.

That app you got was itself spyware - that's one of the ways they work.

If you take the repair route, I'd run spyware scans with several good anti-spyware apps (spybot, adaware, avg) and I'd install Windows Defender (free from MS) - which doesn't find the most spyware (nothing find it all) but does give realtime protection (ie, stops it getting on), whihc other free ones don't.

If you do a clean install, no need for scans, but make sure you install anti-virus & anti-spyware apps before going on the net!

As mentioned AVG is decent free anti-virus - as is Avast.

 

[luke333]

is there anyway to fix it without needing the disc. i just got the computer and not the xp pro disk which costs 200 dollars. is there any other options? if there isnt, is there something i could download and burn on a cd to help me? thanks for your answers btw.

 

[wunkunn]

AVG also has a "anti-spyware" program. It's is a trial version but after the trial you can use it as a free version,but you will have to manually update it.
AVG has kept me out of trouble for a long time.
Sorry, I can't help you with your explorer problem.
Good Luck!

 

[BadBigBen]

Sorry luke333, you will not get around this issue without a XP CD in the flavor that is installed on the machine...

as wolluf stated you will need to do a reinstall/repair install here...

I would try to borrow one from a friend or colleague if you do not want to fork out the cost of XP, btw. the prices are dropping... and who sold you the PC without the CD in the first place? as the license state that a transfer of the HARDWARE with an installed OS (XP) has to be accompanied with the CD and KEY for said product, exceptions to the rule are the RECOVERY CD's from big volume sellers like HP and DELL (just to name a few)...



Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[luke333]

my uncle gave it too me because it needed a new power supply and he just bought another computer, however, he might have given me the disks, but they were probably left at my dad's work where the computer was fixed up, my friend has a computer down the street with xp instaled, would his computer have came with an xp disk that i could use?.. and if he did and i used it, and it worked, would the virus be gone after doing a full installation? and furthermore, would it matter if it wasnt xp PRO? i didnt have much on the computer for it was strictly for gaming purposes, so i dont mind reinstalling. thank you so much for your help.

 

[linney]

When you loaded Safe Mode, did it offer you the possibility of running System Restore? If it did you could try that.

How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

It is not likely that Windows would allow the deletion of Explorer.exe, it seems more likely that a Registry setting has been deleted or corrupted. If you can get access to the Registry (perhaps via BartPE) check out this location in the Registry.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Check that the Value @ Shell = Explorer.exe and not something else.


These talk about BartPE as a recovery option, you could look into that if you like.

Cannot logon to winxp...losing lots of valuable documents
thread779-975236

Cannot Boot Windows due to Corrupt Registry
faq779-5362

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[linney]

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Try the free version of "Ewido" now called "AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5"

http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

Windows Defender

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

 

[luke333]

thanks ill try those things, but when i start safe mode, it doesnt allow me to ctrl alt del and it just blinks.. with no "life" almost. i cant access anything, and ive done a system restore before so.

 

[wolluf]

luke - to do a repair reinstall you need a copy of the XP you have installed (eg, XP pro retail version) and the key.

For a new install you need any version of XP plus key - but it can't be key used on another computer - licence and activation doesn't allow that.

So assuming you have the key to your installation, getting hold of install disk that matches is probably best bet.

 

[luke333]

so you're saying i wouldnt be able to do a fresh install off of a disk borrowed from a friend?

 

[vacunita]

As long as th CD you borrow matches the type of key you have if you have one. you can perform a fresh install.

If you don;t have a key, then your best bet is to buy a new license, as you are potentially running a Pirated copy of Windows, or at the very least infringing on Microsoft's EULA agreements.

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[luke333]

sigh, nobody i know has cd. this a very devistating to me.

 

[linney]

You could try your friendly computer repair shop. Again it cannot be stressed too much, you require to have a valid Product Key, otherwise the XP CD will mean next to nothing, although it should give you access to the Recovery Console, and a 30 day grace period in XP before Activation kicks in.

Replacement of CD or Product Keys
To replace a CD or Product Key, you must contact PSS. To locate the appropriate phone number for your product, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

326246 - How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326246&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

 

[Sympology]

May of missed this, but have you contacted Alienware, they may have some sort of disk either recovery or XP you can use for a lower fee.

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[luke333]

thats happened to me before, but the computer just blinks, not allowing me to ctrl alt del and in safe mode the font just keeps getting bigger and smaller in a blinking fashion. cmd.exe wont show up. i cant run anything. i have windows xp iso downloaded on this computer with a serial, i think i might have had it from when i had virtual pc, is there a way i can burn that to a cd and install that on my computer?... but id need to know how on a mac. thank you for all your help, if worse comes to worse, ill just give the computer back to my dad's friend to fix, but i just didnt b4 because i only had it for a week, and that would kind of look bad.

 

[linney]

You could ask your MAC questions here.

Apple / Mac operating system

http://www.tek-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=604

 

[luke333]

thank you guys very much for all your support!