Need Troubleshooting Suggestions

[Jim]

Hey folks, I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions. I'm
1300 miles away from the PC I'm trying to help someone get
back up and running over the phone unfortunately.
WinXP Home
512K Ram
56K Dial-up connection w/ AOL (no broadband, always on
connection)
PC was booting up and running fine this AM. I get a call
from mom, and now, when turning PC on, systems gets as far
as running POST, displays Windows splash screen with
words 'Welcome' or something, loads the wall paper, but
then stops, no icons, no Windows Task bar (so no 'Start'
button or clock), nothing. Mouse moves around still so
Windows in not frozen. Ctrl\Alt\Delete launches Task
Manager successfully every time also. After experimenting
around in the 'Process' tab of Tsk Mgr., discovered when I
have her highlight and 'End Process' on 'WinSpol.exe', the
Windows desktop finally loads and everything seems to work
fine. There also seems to be multiple instances of WinSpol
running, though I only need to End Process on the first
instance and the desktop loads. This happens every time
the PC is rebooted.
I apologize for lack of additional info, I am hoping this
is an easy, documented issue someone recognizes, though
it's difficult as heck trying to troubleshoot WinXP over
the phone with your mother who barely knows where to find
the Start button and would go nuts trying to find the 'Any
Key'. Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions on
things to check for and or try.

Jim

 

[David Candy]

Dodgy file name gives it away.
http://fr.trendmicro-europe.com/enterprise/security_info/ve_detail.php?Vname=BKDR_IRCBOT.AE

 

[davetest]

Hey folks, I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions. I'm
1300 miles away from the PC I'm trying to help someone get
back up and running over the phone unfortunately.
WinXP Home
512K Ram
56K Dial-up connection w/ AOL (no broadband, always on
connection)
PC was booting up and running fine this AM. I get a call
from mom, and now, when turning PC on, systems gets as far
as running POST, displays Windows splash screen with
words 'Welcome' or something, loads the wall paper, but
then stops, no icons, no Windows Task bar (so no 'Start'
button or clock), nothing. Mouse moves around still so
Windows in not frozen. Ctrl\Alt\Delete launches Task
Manager successfully every time also. After experimenting
around in the 'Process' tab of Tsk Mgr., discovered when I
have her highlight and 'End Process' on 'WinSpol.exe', the
Windows desktop finally loads and everything seems to work
fine. There also seems to be multiple instances of WinSpol
running, though I only need to End Process on the first
instance and the desktop loads. This happens every time
the PC is rebooted.
I apologize for lack of additional info, I am hoping this
is an easy, documented issue someone recognizes, though
it's difficult as heck trying to troubleshoot WinXP over
the phone with your mother who barely knows where to find
the Start button and would go nuts trying to find the 'Any
Key'. Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions on
things to check for and or try.

Jim

What is winspol.exe ? are you sure it's not winspool?
I don't think winspol is a valid file.
Maybe your mother should run a full virus and spyware
scan.

Dave

 

[btkramer]

Are you sure its winspol.exe and not winspool.exe?
Winspool is a valid system process, but winspol.exe is a
backdoor virus. Here's a link for removal instructions:

http://fr.trendmicroeurope.com/enterprise/security_info/ve
_detail.php?Vname=BKDR_IRCBOT.AE

Hope this helps.

 

[Jim]

Morning folks. Yes, I am sure it is spelled 'Winspol.exe'
in Task Manager, explicitly asked her twice to spell it as
I to was first thinking it was the valid WinspOOl process
and figured she was just spelling it wrong to me. Looks
like you guys nailed it, I'll be attempting to take care
of it this evening. I appreciate the assistance, you have
my utmost gratitude.

Jim