nonexistent desktop progress

[yey]

i still cant get my start menu and taskbar to show up. i
have tried to recall any malicious occurence before this
happened and this is what i found out.

there was a popup that said "It's time!'
while im using mcafee firewall, a program named Project1
asked permission to access which i rejected at the time
prior to this error.

Project1 is still in my program files and i dont know
what use this is for. it has folder named 0. this folder
contains 'winpup' and 'optimize'. Project1 also contains
apps that says 'sysu' and 'ddm_d' with a
subtitle 'dynamic desktop media'.

please, if anyone can help figure out what these files
mean, and help me figure out how to have my start menu
back, that will be appreciated. none of the past
suggestions actually worked. this is frustrating.

 

[Chris Lanier]

Greetings

Unfortunately, none of use have any idea way this is happening. You might
of just helped slove part of the problem.

Adware.Dynamic
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.dynamic.html

--------

There is a very good chance this is being caused by a virus.

Reboot Windows XP into Safe Mode
--How to start Windows XP in Safe mode--
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001060608000039

1) Goto Start>>Run>>Type "regedit"
2) Navigate to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and delete
"Explorer %SYSTEM%\Explorer.exe"
3) Reboot your PC as normal.

If that doesnt work...

Reboot Windows XP into Safe Mode
--How to start Windows XP in Safe mode--
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001060608000039

1) Open My Computer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32. Search in the
System32 directory for "explore.exe" or "explorer.exe" If the file exists
delete it.
2) Goto http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and scan your either system for
virus.
3) Reboot your PC.

NOTE: Do NOT delete "explorer.exe" from your C:\Windows directory!

You may try the following if you don't boot into Safe Mode.

1) Press CTRL+SHIFT+ESC
2) Goto the Applications Tab
3) Click New Task...
4) Type "C:\Windows\explorer.exe", hit Enter
5) Open My Computer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32. Search in the
System32 directory for "explore.exe" or "explorer.exe" If the file exists
delete it.

NOTE: Do NOT delete "explorer.exe" from your C:\Windows directory!

Also try a virus scan to clean things up.
1) Open Internet Explorer
2) Goto http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and scan your either system for
virus.
3) Reboot your PC and see if you now have a desktop.

----If that doesnt work goto...----
Repair/Customize Desktop, Quick Launch, Taskbar and Notification Area
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

----More Help for No Desktop/No Taskbar----

HOW TO: Start the System Restore Tool from a Command Prompt in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304449

W32.Aplore Removal Information
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]

W32.HLLP.Handy Removal Information
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.hllp.handy.html

Taskbar Is Missing When You Log On to Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;Q318027

Preform a Spyware Scan
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

---If none of the above help i would suggest trying a repair install of
Windows XP.---

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[Sharon F]

i still cant get my start menu and taskbar to show up. i
have tried to recall any malicious occurence before this
happened and this is what i found out.

there was a popup that said "It's time!'
while im using mcafee firewall, a program named Project1
asked permission to access which i rejected at the time
prior to this error.

Project1 is still in my program files and i dont know
what use this is for. it has folder named 0. this folder
contains 'winpup' and 'optimize'. Project1 also contains
apps that says 'sysu' and 'ddm_d' with a
subtitle 'dynamic desktop media'.

please, if anyone can help figure out what these files
mean, and help me figure out how to have my start menu
back, that will be appreciated. none of the past
suggestions actually worked. this is frustrating.

Something called "Dynamic Desktop Media" has been installed on your
computer. It is known to cause the desktop items to disappear. Use Task
Manager to end the sysu.exe process.

Look in Add/Remove Programs and in Windows\Downloaded Programs for "Dynamic
Desktop Media" and uninstall it. If a "ddm" folder remains behind (could be
in C:\Program Files or C:\Programs\), delete it.

Info about winpup (known adware) can be found at these sites:
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/library/winpup/index.phtml
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.winpup.html

May also want to download, update, and run Adaware from
http://www.lavasoftusa.com and Spybot Search
& Destroy from http://www.safer-networking.org/