Win XP won't load properly after using Regrun reanimator

[Sohail]

Hi All,

I am having a problem running win XP on my HP Presario notebook.
Everything was fine until I tried to scan my system for root-kits
using regrun reanimator program. It asked me to restart now as it will
check for those root-kits at next restart.

Now the system starts up, win XP logo screen with progress bar comes
up and then the next screen comes up which is supposed to be the login
dialog. But, here, nothing comes up. only the mouse cursor is there
that can be moved. keyboard is not active, I have to use power button
to shut down.

I have searched many discussion threads and used all the schemes from
safemode and other startup options, to setup CD based repair of
windows. But, all result into the same blank screen with a movable
mouse cursor and that's all.

The last thing, that comes to mind is some problem because of that
reanimator software. I have used its earlier .exe versions and they
did do a good, smooth job. But the latest version actually installs on
the system.

Another clue, may or may not be of use, is that even before trying
anti-root-kit action by reanimator, I tried opening my simple text
file that I used to write few comments. It didn't open up in notepad
while in the process explorer, I could see the instance of notepad
running.

Thanks for your expert advice in advance.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Is WinXP SP3 installed?

Is KB979559 installed?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a(nother) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer?

Did a Norton or McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computer when you
bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)

 

[Sohail]

Is WinXP SP3 installed?

It is winXP SP2 that I have been using.

Is KB979559 installed?

I don't think so...but will check again...by the way, what it is all
about

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current?  What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

I have simple AVG 8.5 installed and has updated virus definitions. No
third party firewalls other than Windows.

Has a(nother) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer?

Did a Norton or McAfee free-trial come preinstalled on the computer when you
bought it? (Doesn't matter if you never used or Activated it.)

No

 

[Twayne]

In

Hi All,

I am having a problem running win XP on my HP Presario
notebook. Everything was fine until I tried to scan my
system for root-kits using regrun reanimator program. It
asked me to restart now as it will check for those
root-kits at next restart.

Now the system starts up, win XP logo screen with progress
bar comes up and then the next screen comes up which is
supposed to be the login dialog. But, here, nothing comes
up. only the mouse cursor is there that can be moved.
keyboard is not active, I have to use power button to shut
down.

I have searched many discussion threads and used all the
schemes from safemode and other startup options, to setup
CD based repair of windows. But, all result into the same
blank screen with a movable mouse cursor and that's all.

The last thing, that comes to mind is some problem because
of that reanimator software. I have used its earlier .exe
versions and they did do a good, smooth job. But the latest
version actually installs on the system.

Another clue, may or may not be of use, is that even before
trying anti-root-kit action by reanimator, I tried opening
my simple text file that I used to write few comments. It
didn't open up in notepad while in the process explorer, I
could see the instance of notepad running.

Did you switch to Notepad to see if it had your file open? Sometimes loading
it up takes a very long time for things lke this.

"A useful software for removing Trojans/Adware/Spyware and some of the
rootkits", so that's actually an admittedly weak program for root kits
anyway.

Overall it sounds like corrupted files are the problem and if files were
corrupted when you ran that program, the corruption may have gotten worse.
Or not, who knows? You should probably re-image or Restore from backup your
boot drive right about now, and fix any problems with it before going after
other problems.

Thanks for your expert advice in advance.

How long are you waiting before you decide nothing is happenng?
That's a screen that sometimes can take a long time to complete. Give it
a good 3 minutes of iniactivity before you decide it's crashed; leave the
mouse alone for the duration.
What does Task Manager show w/r to anything named for the program?


HTH,

Twayne`

 

[Sohail]

Did you switch to Notepad to see if it had your file open? Sometimes loading
it up takes a very long time for things lke this.

I had seen notepad process in process explorer (utility for task
manager) but it didn't show up on screen. the file size is very small.

"A useful software for removing Trojans/Adware/Spyware and some of the
rootkits", so that's actually an admittedly weak program for root kits
anyway.

Overall it sounds like corrupted files are the problem and if files were
corrupted when you ran that program, the corruption may have gotten worse..
Or not, who knows? You should probably re-image or Restore from backup your
boot drive right about now, and fix any problems with it before going after
other problems.

I don't have a backup image separately on other storage media and the
windows setup / restore had been used but to no luck.

How long are you waiting before you decide nothing is  happenng?
   That's a screen that sometimes can take a long time to complete. Give it
a good 3 minutes of iniactivity before you decide it's crashed; leave the
mouse alone for the duration.

I had waited for more than 3 minutes though not at the first time.

What does Task Manager show w/r to anything named for the program?

Now, there is nothing that can be seen askeyboard actions are not
operational and thus Task manager cannot be viewed.

It looks as if I have to do a clean re-install...

 

[Twayne]

In

I had seen notepad process in process explorer (utility for
task manager) but it didn't show up on screen. the file
size is very small.


I don't have a backup image separately on other storage
media and the windows setup / restore had been used but to
no luck.


I had waited for more than 3 minutes though not at the
first time.



Now, there is nothing that can be seen askeyboard actions
are not operational and thus Task manager cannot be viewed.

It looks as if I have to do a clean re-install...

That's probably your fastest recovery route. Don't forget to back up all
your data first.

HTH,

Twayne`