Fail to startup after deleting Internet Logs

[Guest]

Howdy--

Kind of new to Windows XP so please bear with me...

I have not installed SP2 yet and it had been advised that I install
ZoneAlarm Pro

I bought ZoneAlarm Pro 4 a little less than a week ago, installed it, was
hit with a virus (which Avast! claimed to have caught- four files were
affected but now I am having the following problems...) updated the ZoneAlarm
software through their website and things started acting wierd.

I could surf ok but when checking my email (not using Outlook) those
websites were SUPER sluggish. In fact it took over 90 seconds to download a
page in some cases. I am using dialup but it has NEVER taken that long
before and refreshing does nothing.

A user on the ZoneAlarm forum suggested disabling ZoneAlarm, Rebooting in
safe mode and then deleting all the files from the internet log file
(C:\Windows\Internet logs). I did this, rebooted and now I just get my
wallpaper at startup and no taskbar or icons.

It is a rather lovely wallpaper and all but access to my computer would be
nice.

I can ctrl+alt+del and get into the task manager and was able to copy some
of my critical stuff to a disk fortunately but I have no idea what to do at
this point short of reloading windows XP.

I did create a restore point BEFORE I installed ZoneAlarm Pro. Can I get
back to it somehow?

Also, when I boot from the Windows XP cd-rom It has a repair selection but
it takes me straight to dos. typing dir gives me a directory of 5 columns:

date time a------ bytes used fn.ft
xxx xxx a-d---- 1200 fn.bat

(the second row is kind of an example)

I know that third column is telling me something but I don't know the third
columns language. There is a string of 8 characters and each position has a
specific letter assigned to it and I assume it refers to the file it is
associated with. Might it be telling me if one is damaged or not?

Anyway, any help would be much appreciated,

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

If you've had a virus, it's not advisable to use System Restore as its file
store may have been infected as well and it's not possible to selectively
clean the file store. After a virus, as a general rule, it is advisable to
turn off System Restore, reboot and turn it back on as this clears System
Restore entirely restarts the process of restore point creation from there
while wiping all previous restore points.

There are two repair options in XP setup, it sounds as though you went to
the first option which takes you to the Recovery Console. You want the
Repair Install option as follows:

NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and you have an
actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below. If the
system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to enter
the system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

When the system boots, a few screens into the process you may see a message
instructing you
to hit any key in order to boot from the CD along with a countdown. When
you see this be sure to
hit a key on the keyboard, if you miss this instruction and the system fails
to boot from the CD, it's too
late, you'll need to reboot and try again.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console. ***The selection you want at this screen is
"Setup Windows,"
NOT "Repair Windows Installation.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP which will allow you to perform the
above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.


--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol.

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

 

[Guest]

Thank you for the much needed advice...

I will give it a try and see what happens!

By the way, do you have reliable knowledge of how to use the Recovery Console?

I am also curious as to the third coulumn and the significance of each
letter (Just call me curious George...).

Again many thanks, I'll head home and see what happens!

Struggling

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

This Knowledge Base Article may give you the information you are seeking on
the Recovery Console:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307654

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol.

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

 

[Guest]

God Bless you, God Bless you, God Bless you...

I am now writing this reply from MY OWN computer!!

I will also look into this article some... I am anxious to have more
oppurtunities to learn about these new fangled machines (I used to be pretty
well versed with DOS way back when... then I left the country and my how
things have changed!).

Interesting your name is Solomon, I spent some time in a country by the same
name, beautiful place.

I am so very appreciative, I hope I am not gushing too much...

Thank you again,

Struggling a little less

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

From your mouth to God's ear.

Thank you very much for the kind words, such compliments and "gushing" are
greatly appreciated.

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol.

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

 

[Pop]

Even other readers get a warm-fuzzy from reading things like that. Too many
people never bother to leave a come-back, and I know what it's like to
wonder if suggestions helped...or not.
Pop

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

Pop:

I realize that a lot of people I help in the newsgroups are new or at least
new to the groups and it was all they could do to access the groups to ask
their question in the first place. Hence, it doesn't raise my level of
concern too much when we don't hear from them again but a "Thank You," is
always nice.

I've been pretty lucky in that when I do successfully help someone, there's
usually at least a "Thank You" and I always try to acknowledge so they know
I've seen it even though I realize many of them will not return to the group
to see such a response but it also alerts the regulars, including the
lurkers that we do take note of such things.

When someone adds such kind words in addition to "Thank You," it is truly
the icing on the cake, all the more so knowing that others take note of it
and share in that feeling as well.

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol.

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/