Error message when doing a repair install Windows XP Home

[Chris]

I am working on a computer for a friend. It was loaded with spyware and
viruses. Everything was coming along nicely until I ran Ad-Aware, cleaned
the system and re-booted. Upon re-booting, the computer would not load
Windows all the way. It would flash the background wallpaper and then go to
a solid blue screen with the 'Windows XP' logo on it. I could move the
cursor around with the mouse, but it would not go into Windows (did this
normally, and in 'safe' mode). I did a little research, and it looked like
the only way to repair this was to re-load Windows, and "Repair the
installation". I did this, and everything went well until it got to the
"Installing Windows" portion of the re-install, when an error message pops
up. It says "This file does not have a program associated with it for
performing the action. Create an associated in the Folder Options control
panel". The top line says "C:\WINDOWS\System32\rundll32.exe". This machine
originally came with Windows ME, and she bought and installed the Windows XP
Home Upgrade. It will let go through the prompt to change what
language/time zone and then asks me to enter the product key. Shortly after
putting the product key in, it reboots (no warning) and looks like it is
loading windows. When Windows starts to load, a message comes up "Setup is
not restarting..."

I am baffled and have tried everything. I have a clean system I could put
the hard drive into to edit it, but I am not sure where to go from here.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

(e-mail address removed)

Remove REMOVEME to email or reply to group. Any assistance would be GREATLY
appreciated.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

When you have any spywares in the system, best thing is to run the
antispyware programs first (may be three or four different ones). If
these fail to clear, then the chances are that Repair install will not
work either.

The only option left to you is to do a clean install or restore from CD
images supplied by OEMs.

hth

 

[Chris]

The problem of it not booting past the blue screen with 'Windows XP Home'
logo started after running 3 spyware programs and removing several hunderd
instances of spyware. I was actually on the last re-boot to make sure
everything was OK. Sorry I failed to mention that in the original message,
but thanks for your input. Hopefully there is an answer out there, but I
still haven't gotten any closer. Is there any way to cancel the Repair
Install once it has started?