Problems with My Computer and Internet Explorer

[vMaster]

I have been trying to sort out the PC of a friend.

Having installed an up-to-date anti-virus checker
and cleared out some viruses, the main problem still
remains: any icon you click on for explorer, my computer
or Internet explorer, control panel just don't open.

I am thinking some nasty has changed the machine's
settings, but can't think how to regain control.

I tried stopping most of the stuff that loads on
boot up unless it is something loading that is doing
the blocking but this didn't get me anywhere.

Anybody have any ideas short of backing up the
data and reinstalling everything from scratch?

Thanks

Mike

 

[Dr. Bill]

I have been trying to sort out the PC of a friend.

Having installed an up-to-date anti-virus checker
and cleared out some viruses, the main problem still
remains: any icon you click on for explorer, my computer
or Internet explorer, control panel just don't open.

I am thinking some nasty has changed the machine's
settings, but can't think how to regain control.

I tried stopping most of the stuff that loads on
boot up unless it is something loading that is doing
the blocking but this didn't get me anywhere.

Anybody have any ideas short of backing up the
data and reinstalling everything from scratch?

Thanks

Mike

Mouse OK?
If so try these
Ad-Aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
http://www.lavasoft.nu/
http://www.lavasoft.de/
Ad-Aware VX2 cleaner plug-in
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/plugins/vx2cleaner.shtml
http://www.lavasoft.nu/software/plugins/vx2cleaner.shtml
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/plugins/vx2cleaner.shtml
IMPORTANT NOTICE About Ad-Aware:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm#Attention

Spybot - Search & Destroy by Patrick Kolla
http://security.kolla.de/
http://spybot.eon.net.au/
http://www.safer-networking.org/
SpyBot S&D guide
http://www.chem.wisc.edu/~network/spybot/

NOTE: After you install the above, click "Online" and get the latest
updates for the database. Update it regularly for new spy info.

Spyware Blaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
http://www.net-integration.net/tools/spywareblaster.html
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareblaster.html

CWShredder (Removes browser hijacker known as CoolWebSearch)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/cwshredder.zip
http://doxdesk.com/parasite/CoolWebSearch.html

HijackThis
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/hijackthis.zip

Advertising Spyware: Blackstone Data Transponder and its derivatives
http://www.cexx.org/vx2.htm

Here's an option to scan your PC under "Do You Have Parasites?"
http://www.aumha.org/a/noads.htm

 

[Guest]

Here you go:

Spyware/Virus Removal and Prevention:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/windowsxpsolutions.htm
(Links to online virus scans on the same page)

How to optimize Windows XP, 2000, ME
for the best performance (Step-by-step Visual Guide):
http://www.fixyourwindows.com

Good Luck!