not able to run any programs from the desktop

[stephen Jester]

I've been getting this error message: rundll32.exe is not
a valid win32 application. I had a friend tell me that my
system files are corrupted, and to reinstall windows.
Problem is, I put the XP pro disc in the drive, and the
main screen comes up, but it won't let me reinstall
windows. I'm assuming that I somehow got a virus or
spyware and it has just ruined my computer.

 

[hustedj]

Do a virus scan on your PC, I think you have a worm.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

Re-boot your machine and during the boot-up there should be a function key that will take you straight to the set-up menu. There should be an option in set-up to "boot from CD-Rom." Choose this and boot from your XP disk. From there you'll have options to repair your current installation or you can do what I usually do and re-format the hard drive and start over. Nothing can hide from a format. You will of course lose everything on the hard drive but it doesn't sound like you're getting any good out of it as it is.