explorer will not open upon bootup

[jacobneer]

Hi

Yesterday my computer worked fine, but suddenly the windows update logo
pops up in the tray, telling me that my pc is infected with spyware. I
tried to make it stop, as it kept popping up - disturbing me in my
work, but with no luck. I therefore restarted my computer and now
whenever it boots up, it only shows me a blank desktop. I have tried
running "explorer.exe" and it runs explorer, but only for half a
second, or so, before it closes by itself again. I have been able to
open my internet browser and download various spyware programs, as i
suspected that it might have something to do with the message i got
earlier, but they do not make any difference.

I hope someone is able to help me out.

regards,
Jacob

 

[Malke]

Hi

Yesterday my computer worked fine, but suddenly the windows update
logo pops up in the tray, telling me that my pc is infected with
spyware. I tried to make it stop, as it kept popping up - disturbing
me in my work, but with no luck. I therefore restarted my computer and
now whenever it boots up, it only shows me a blank desktop. I have
tried running "explorer.exe" and it runs explorer, but only for half a
second, or so, before it closes by itself again. I have been able to
open my internet browser and download various spyware programs, as i
suspected that it might have something to do with the message i got
earlier, but they do not make any difference.

I assume by "windows update logo" popping up you really mean the MS
Antispyware program because the Security Center does not monitor
viruses or spyware. You don't mention whether you have a full-featured
antivirus installed - a version that is not earlier than 2004, has an
active subscription and updated virus definitions.

It is definitely tricky to run programs without a graphical user
interface (explorer.exe) but it can be done. Either use the Windows key
and R to start the Run box or Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up the Task Manager
and choose New Task. You can then copy programs to the hard drive from
a cd-r or usb thumbdrive from the commandline (cmd) and then run those
programs.

If you don't have an av installed as per my first paragraph, start
scanning with either Sysclean or Dave Lipman's Multi-AV:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#TrendMicros_Sysclean
http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm - how to use Dave Lipman's Multi-AV
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/Multi_AV.exe - Multi-AV download

After you've run one of those first-line av tools, continue your
housecleaning:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

If all those instructions seem too difficult - and there is no shame in
admitting that as we all have our areas of expertise - take your
computer to a professional computer repair shop (not your local version
of BigStoreUSA).

Malke

 

[Guest]

Hi

Yesterday my computer worked fine, but suddenly the windows update logo
pops up in the tray, telling me that my pc is infected with spyware. I
tried to make it stop, as it kept popping up - disturbing me in my
work, but with no luck. I therefore restarted my computer and now
whenever it boots up, it only shows me a blank desktop. I have tried
running "explorer.exe" and it runs explorer, but only for half a
second, or so, before it closes by itself again. I have been able to
open my internet browser and download various spyware programs, as i
suspected that it might have something to do with the message i got
earlier, but they do not make any difference.

Sounds like you got whacked by Spyaxe...

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic36868.html

.... it puts up a fake Windows security alert in the systray, alternating
between two icons. One is the Windows Update icon and the other is the red
shield icon. If you would have clicked on the balloon, it would have tried to
take you to a website for Spyaxe.

There is a removal tool available from the website link above.