Help need to let Windows XP see programmes already installed

[MikeC]

Can anyone help me. I had a Trojan detected by Norton which it could not
automatically wipe out. It suggested that I reinstall Windows XP which Idid
and when I re booted all my files had gone. I see on right clicking on
"my computer" they are there and I have now saved all my documents on a back
up. The problem is that all the programme files eg Norton, Microsoft works
etc are not being seen and if I try to create short cuts I get
ALERTAST.EXE -Unable to locate component
MSVCP70.dll. I have tried reinstalling some programmes but get MMAIN.EXE
and the same message. Anyone got any ideas?
MikeC

 

[Rich Barry]

Mike, try these websites
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

http://safespy.net/Spyware_Hunter.htm

http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

http://spybot-spyware.com/trojan.htm

http://www.spysweeper.com/

http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/

 

[Alex Nichol]

I had a Trojan detected by Norton which it could not
automatically wipe out. It suggested that I reinstall Windows XP which Idid
and when I re booted all my files had gone. I see on right clicking on
"my computer" they are there and I have now saved all my documents on a back
up. The problem is that all the programme files eg Norton, Microsoft works
etc are not being seen and if I try to create short cuts I get
ALERTAST.EXE -Unable to locate component

A complete reinstall, of the type you have done, generates a new
registry and all programs have to be reinstalled. And I regard it as
little short of criminal for a major company like Symantec to suggest it
without detailed and careful explanation - and it should not have been
suggested at all.

But now it is done and you have your data backed up, I think your best
course is to do a clean install and start over; at least that way you
will have a clean playing field on which to reinstall programs. If you
have a maker's restore CD, use it to restore to ex-factory state. If
you have a retail XP CD, boot it direct. Enter Setup, and after the
license agreement take New Install. When it asks you to confirm where,
hit ESC; select and delete the current partition and make a new RAW one
to be formatted at the next stage

The important point is the delete. Without that it will just go ahead
and make a new install over the top of the old one

Then install programs again, and restore data.

You will need to get all Windows updates once more: it might pay to
wait, probably no more than days now, for the new Service Pack 2. But
be sure to have the firewall in place before connecting to the net even
for a minute