start and taskbar

[kirsty]

a friend has given me a laptop to look at because when it is turned on the
start button and taskbar are on the screen for around 10 seconds then
disappear.I have checked the control panel and all seems to be normal and it
is not set to auto hide,so what else could be the problem?
this is the operating system info i got off it:
unattended windows xp
service pack x build 3
version 2006
intel(R) pentium(R) M
processor 1600MHZ,590MHZ
he told me it had worked a few months back but got trogans and worms but was
apparently fixed.Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[Malke]

a friend has given me a laptop to look at because when it is turned on the
start button and taskbar are on the screen for around 10 seconds then
disappear.I have checked the control panel and all seems to be normal and
it is not set to auto hide,so what else could be the problem?
this is the operating system info i got off it:
unattended windows xp
service pack x build 3
version 2006
intel(R) pentium(R) M
processor 1600MHZ,590MHZ
he told me it had worked a few months back but got trogans and worms but
was apparently fixed.Any ideas?

The computer is probably still infected. You can try doing a winlogon fix,
but I'd also go through some really thorough virus/malware removal steps or
just back up his data and clean-install Windows.

1. Fix winlogon

Start>Run>regedit [enter]

Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Look at the string value for Userinit. It should be
C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,

If you see anything after userinit.exe except the trailing comma, delete it.
Don't forget to retain the trailing comma.

2. Malware removal steps:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

3. To reinstall Windows, follow the mftr.'s instructions if this is an OEM
box. Otherwise:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows - What
you will need on-hand

Malke

 

[Malke]

a friend has given me a laptop to look at because when it is turned on the
start button and taskbar are on the screen for around 10 seconds then
disappear.I have checked the control panel and all seems to be normal and
it is not set to auto hide,so what else could be the problem?
this is the operating system info i got off it:
unattended windows xp
service pack x build 3
version 2006
intel(R) pentium(R) M
processor 1600MHZ,590MHZ
he told me it had worked a few months back but got trogans and worms but
was apparently fixed.Any ideas?
Thanks

Addendum - In my last post I assumed that you know that you can run programs
even if you can't get to the Start button and my boilerplate instructions
for running regedit say "Start>Run>...". To run regedit without the Start
button, do Ctrl-Alt-Del to get Task Manager and then choose New
Task>regedit.


Malke

 

[kirsty]

I cant do a clean install as the lovely bloke that gave him the computer
never gave him the disc and i also noticed while doing a disc clean up that
it wanted me to insert the original windows disc that came with.im guessing
theres been another o.p installed over the top.i have done complete scans
with avg,came up clean.I just cant work out why the taskbar wont stay on
screen.not my comp so its not a major drama.thanks
--
lifes like that

a friend has given me a laptop to look at because when it is turned on the
start button and taskbar are on the screen for around 10 seconds then
disappear.I have checked the control panel and all seems to be normal and
it is not set to auto hide,so what else could be the problem?
this is the operating system info i got off it:
unattended windows xp
service pack x build 3
version 2006
intel(R) pentium(R) M
processor 1600MHZ,590MHZ
he told me it had worked a few months back but got trogans and worms but
was apparently fixed.Any ideas?

The computer is probably still infected. You can try doing a winlogon fix,
but I'd also go through some really thorough virus/malware removal steps or
just back up his data and clean-install Windows.

1. Fix winlogon

Start>Run>regedit [enter]

Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Look at the string value for Userinit. It should be
C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe,

If you see anything after userinit.exe except the trailing comma, delete it.
Don't forget to retain the trailing comma.

2. Malware removal steps:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

3. To reinstall Windows, follow the mftr.'s instructions if this is an OEM
box. Otherwise:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows - What
you will need on-hand

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!

 

[Malke]

I cant do a clean install as the lovely bloke that gave him the computer
never gave him the disc and i also noticed while doing a disc clean up
that it wanted me to insert the original windows disc that came with.im
guessing theres been another o.p installed over the top.i have done
complete scans with avg,came up clean.I just cant work out why the taskbar
wont stay on screen.not my comp so its not a major drama.thanks

Have your friend take the machine to a professional computer repair shop
(not your local version of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). They will be able
to repair it or do a clean install of Windows even though your friend is
missing the install disk. That's really the only option unless your friend
buys a Windows XP install disk and does a clean install himself.

Malke

 

[kirsty]

done a winlogon fix,nothing to delete after the comma.
and yes i do know i can still run programs without start.
Your last reply about my version of big computer stores and geek squads was
rude.
I dont pretend to know everything.i told my friend i can post a question as
they dont have the net either.thanks for the help so far.

 

[Malke]

done a winlogon fix,nothing to delete after the comma.
and yes i do know i can still run programs without start.
Your last reply about my version of big computer stores and geek squads
was rude.
I dont pretend to know everything.i told my friend i can post a question
as they dont have the net either.thanks for the help so far.

Jeez Louise, that's what I get for trying to help you. Rude? You want to see
rude? Just read your post to me here:

"I cant do a clean install as the lovely bloke that gave him the computer
never gave him the disc and i also noticed while doing a disc clean up that
it wanted me to insert the original windows disc that came with.im guessing
theres been another o.p installed over the top.i have done complete scans
with avg,came up clean.I just cant work out why the taskbar wont stay on
screen.not my comp so its not a major drama.thanks"

After I take my time to give you a reasoned, thoughtful answer to help you,
including warning you away from the big computer stores that will rip you
off and not do a good job, you come back with "not my comp so its not a
major drama".

You tell me your friend doesn't have an XP install disk. Therefore I tell
you the only option for your friend is to take the machine to a competent
shop where they will have the missing install disk or to buy one. And you
think that's rude?!!! WTF was I supposed to tell you - wish really really
hard and the fairies will bring you an install disk? Sheesh.

Forget you.

*plonk*

Malke

 

[kirsty]

im sorry,i obviously read more into the last message than i should have.i
mistook who you were calling a geek.my bad.
about the computer
i have hit the win key and have got the start menu up,
right clicked the properties to make sure it was not hidden
but still have not got start or taskbar up.
so i think i'll take your advice and he can deal with his own problem.
i apologise again.
thanks for your help