Registry Editor

[Guest]

On boot up my desktop is empty with no icons, start button at bottom left, or
any taskbar.The only thing showing is my background photo and the registry
editor. What has gone wrong? I cannot get into anything apart from the editor
as there are no other options eg: start button is non existant.I am running
windows XP. The problem started when I removed a PC fix program and rebooted.

 

[Richard Urban]

A PC fix program covers a whole lot of territory. WHAT ONE?

Did you buy it? Was it installed without your knowledge through the
internet?

--

Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Guest]

Hi Richard
Yes it ws installed without my knowledge.
Will running windows XP from CD repair this problem?

Gary

 

[Richard Urban]

So, you were/are infected with malware! Were you using a firewall and an up
to date antivirus program?

Install a good firewall - one that blocks unwanted outbound traffic as well
as unwanted inbound traffic. Then when something tries to connect, out of
the ordinary, you will be flagged. At that point you can disallow that
particular instance either once or permanently. A good FREE firewall is
available here:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?lid=dbtopnav_za

Then check you system for infestations of viruses, spyware, dialers, key
loggers etc.

Download, install, update and run the following:

If you don't have any antivirus installed, AVG Antivirus (free) from
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

Ad-Aware (free) from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

SpyBot Search and Destroy (free) from
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Microsoft Anti Spyware (free) from
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Don't ever go clicking things just because a web site, e-mail, popup or
rogue desktop tells you to! If you are not 101% certain what an action will
do - don't perform that action. Control your clicking finger!


--

Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!