Problem after installing SP2

[Guest]

I had a spyware issue and resolved that on my niece's Sony computer. It is
running XP Home Edition. I set up automatic downloads and installed several
(59) downloads.
Following that, and the machine was working properly, windows reported that
AD was ready to install SP2. It downloaded it and then began the install. It
took a long time to finish the installation but it finally did. After it
restarted, the machine loads XP Sp2 but does not bring up any icons or
taskbar and simply shows the desktop background.
I have restarted it in Safe mode and get exactly the same response. No icons
or taskbar and no desktop background. It will bring up the Task Manager in
both normal and safe mode but that is all.
What can I try next. I am "stumped"

 

[R. McCarty]

Try Safe Mode with Networking. Once the user is logged in
use Ctrl-Alt-Del to call up Task Mgr. Click the text option
"File", New Task and type Explorer. This should start the shell
and immediately locate and run Internet Explorer and go to
http://update.microsoft.com and try to get the 80+ post SP2
updates for the machine.

 

[Guest]

we have a fix, but one quick question are u able to go online. i.e, browse
websites?

 

[Guest]

Yes, I can surf the internet but only after starting firefox through the
task manager.

 

[Guest]

Evidently either she had previously uninstalled IE or it is not available
after the update because the only browser I can find is firefox and that will
not load the update page.

 

[R. McCarty]

Try invoking it directly from Explorer by navigating to:
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Iexplore.Exe
IE is very integrated into the OS, so while the shortcuts
may be missing the executable (as above) should still exist.

 

[Guest]

I navigated to the folder as you suggested and iexplore.exe was not there.
the crash detection exe was there but nothing else.

 

[PA Bear]

Add/Remove Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components > Is Internet Explorer
checked here? If it's not even listed...

1. Uninstall SP2 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot.

2. Run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting your HijackThis
log to an appropriate forum.

Check for Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/

When all else fails, HijackThis (http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe)
is the preferred tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove
any hijackware/spyware.

**Post your HijackThis log to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or
other appropriate forum for expert analysis, not here.**

3. Do not install SP2 until an expert gives your HijackThis log a clean bill
of health.

Also see:

What to Know Before Downloading/Installing SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

Installing SP2 Step-by-Step
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insthowto

Troubleshooting Your Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insttshoot

WinXP SP2 FAQ: What to do after installing SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;ln;xpsp2installed

Service Pack (any) Installation Checklist (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

WinXP SP2-specific Page (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=837783

 

[Guest]

Earlier in my original posting, I said that I had no icons or taskbar. I
meant nothing but a screen with the desktop background picture. I only seem
to be able to get the Task Manager to come up and I know of no way to get to
the add/remove screen through this.

Add/Remove Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components > Is Internet Explorer
checked here? If it's not even listed...

1. Uninstall SP2 via Add/Remove Programs and reboot.

2. Run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting your HijackThis
log to an appropriate forum.

Check for Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/

When all else fails, HijackThis (http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.exe)
is the preferred tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove
any hijackware/spyware.

**Post your HijackThis log to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or
other appropriate forum for expert analysis, not here.**

3. Do not install SP2 until an expert gives your HijackThis log a clean bill
of health.

Also see:

What to Know Before Downloading/Installing SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx

Installing SP2 Step-by-Step
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insthowto

Troubleshooting Your Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];xpsp2insttshoot

WinXP SP2 FAQ: What to do after installing SP2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;ln;xpsp2installed

Service Pack (any) Installation Checklist (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

WinXP SP2-specific Page (MVP Jupiter Jones)
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm

The hard disk space requirements for Windows XP Service Pack 2
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=837783

--
~PA Bear

I navigated to the folder as you suggested and iexplore.exe was not there.
the crash detection exe was there but nothing else.