XP Pro - After Login There is Nothing!!!

[pjmdesigns]

Hi, hope someone can help! I'm Going Crazy here!

We have a PC on our Network running XP Pro, when you boot the PC it seems fine, however once you have logged into Windows all you get is the Wallpaper, absolutely nothing else, the right click on the mouse does not work, all you can do is Ctrl-Alt-Del and Task Manager is displayed, from here you can shutdown, and that is about it! If I try to run any programs from here I get the message:

"This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the folder options control panel"

Which isn't much help as I have no task-bar or access to Control Panel. Does anyone have any ideas? I assume I have some sort of virus but have no idea where to start at correcting it.

For your information; I have tried to enter in safe mode but have the same problem, I can start with the DOS Prompt but not sure exactly where to go from here?

Am I beyond help?

Thanks in advance
Paul

 

[vijaychin]

I had same kind of problem last week. I pressed F8 while booting, and from the menu I chose "return to last known good configuration", and it worked. Try that.

 

[pjmdesigns]

I tried this, but gave it another go just now as well, no joy!! I am just downloading a Boot disk, hopefully there is some sort of repair utility.

 

[mattjurado]

Does the os work okay in safe mode?

Matt J.

Please always take the time to backup any and all data before performing any actions suggested for ANY problem, regardless of how minor a change it might seem. Also test the backup to make sure it is intact.

 

[geistman]

I am not clear on something. You say you see nothing at all on the screen except wallpaper, that you can only do CTRL-ALT-DEL and shut down from the Task Manager, but then you say if you try to run any programs you get the "Association" error message. How are you running the programs? Icons, Start/Run?

Anyway, there is a registry file you can download that can fix association problems caused by viruses/trojans/spyware. Go to

http://www.dougknox.com

and click on Win XP Fixes. Click on "Restore Default File Associations Quickly." You can download a batch file (zipped) which will reset the registry settings for all default extensions. See if that helps at all.

Harry

 

[amen1973]

You can run programs from the taskmanager as well under the application tab and clicking on new task. I believe that is what pjmdesigns was referring to by running programs from "here". Have you tried to do a repair install via the windows XP CD? Also are you running Service Pack 2? Before taking any drastic measures, I would as mattjurado suggested, back up all your important data first.
Good luck

Art

 

[pjmdesigns]

Hi All, apologies for not getting back sooner!

Starting from the top:

(1) The system does exactly the same thing in Safe Mode, no matter which 'Safe Mode' I select, i.e. with Network support etc.
(2) As amen1973 stated, I was trying to run tasks from the Taskmanager. I have now visited

http://www.dougknox.com

and reset the registry setting, but to no avail. I was able to run this BAT file from the command prompt!
(3) The machine is running SP1.
(4) I have yet to try doing a repair install (as I have never done this before).

Before I attempt the repair install, what is the best way for me to do a backup? I have a CDRom but it is not writable, do I just backup to the hard drive?

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I will let you know how I get on.

Cheers
PJ

This is Some Strange S....................

 

[bcastner]

See this discussion: thread779-915545

 

[Katbird]

I just had the same problems on a users laptop running XP.
After logging on press CTL+ALT+DEl to access the task manager. From the Process tab, look for MSSYS.EXE and end this task. That should restore your icons, task bar and start menu. This is a virus. Go to TrendMicro.com and search for MSSYS.exe and follow all suggestions for removal.

Good Luck!!!

 

[pjmdesigns]

Thanks to you all, I tried everything suggested but unfortunately to no avail, if nothing else I learned a few things

Ended up with a reinstall and all is now fine.

Thanks again.