Defrag "can't start"

[Charles W Davis]

When I attempt to start defrag, I get the Windows XP SP3 message that
"Defrag can't start."

I downloaded Defraggler. Defraggler state: "Building file list failed."

What is next?

 

[Charles W Davis]

Now, I can't start in Safe mode. It just restarts after Safe Mode is
selected.

 

[Mark Adams]

Now, I can't start in Safe mode. It just restarts after Safe Mode is
selected.

Is the drive nearly full? If so, boot with a Knoppix disk or slave the drive
into another computer and copy your data off to free up space. Then retry
booting the machine. You need at least 15% free space in order for
defragmentation to work. Then buy a bigger hard drive.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Same computer where club member just installed N360?

 

[Charles W Davis]

Yeah, it's the same one. N360 insists that a complete scan be executed to
solve the problem, a complete scan requires N360 to back up 3.8GB of files.
The included space offered is only 2GB. Malwarebytes no longer finds
anything.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Wipe & reload.

Yeah, it's the same one. N360 insists that a complete scan be executed to
solve the problem, a complete scan requires N360 to back up 3.8GB of
files.
The included space offered is only 2GB. Malwarebytes no longer finds
anything.

 

[Charles W Davis]

PA, I appreciate your help. However, with our Club members, wiping and
reloading is only the last resort. Most are 70 year old retirees that have
no backup or other. We House Call volunteers are just that - volunteers. We
accept the challenge. I agree with you, a professional would, and should,
save the Club Member money by Wiping and reloading.

So with a lot of perserverance, I was able to determine that the RootkitTdss
was the culprit. I found the solution here:
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/Combofix-file197.html

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

I would NOT recommend using ComboFix, MBAM, or any other utility without
expert guidance, Charles.

 

[Charles W Davis]

I generally run MBAM when the computer comes to me. Problem solved. Yes,
install all windows updates. Uninstall old versions of Ad-Aware, Adobe
Reader, Firefox and on and on. In the last few months I've had three XP
machines without SP1. Seldom has anyone downloaded Microsoft Update for
their Office programs. Last week a Vista Home Premium machine without SP1.
These things always take time.

I have only had to reload three times. Lots of tears when they realize that
all of the images of grandma and their own children are gone....