Wierd Windows!

[kanad1]

Oh man! What is it with Microsoft! Can't they assure a bug free system for > 1 and a half years? Just a few days ago I was bragin to all my friends @ how XP was running fine for one and a half years now, when all of a sudden XP's lost it! Here is a list of "Things that I use and aren't there":
1) Where's my "Send To" menu? All of a sudden XP deciden that since I use Send To in explrer right click very much, it's not neded any more! I WANT IT BACK!

2)Desktop icons vanish in front of my eyes! (I think XP likes my wallpaper so much that it want's me to show it fullscreen! ) I then have to launch Task manager and relaunch explorer.exe

3)Windows Explorer has killed Internet Explorer! All of a sudden Windows Explorer has taken the burden of Internet Explorer since I can't see any iexplore.exe in the running processes in task manager. That results in extremely slow browsing and it wasen't the case when Internet Explorer used to run.

Many thanks to all, in advance.

 

[Geiser34]

Back up files, Reformat, ReInstall, Done.

 

[kanad1]

Geiser34, r u absolutely sure that nothing short of a format and reinstall will cure my problem? I kinda don't have that much time on my hand.

 

[MrChad]

Some things to check.

1. Make sure your Windows is fully up-to-date with the latest security patches.
2. Do a full system scan with a reliable anti-virus (like Kaspersky).
3. Do a full system scan with a reliable spyware detection engine (like Lavasoft's Adaware or Microsoft's Windows Defender).
4. Run a copy of Hijack This and look for any suspicious processes that may be interfering with Windows system processes.
5. Make sure you are using the latest WHQL-certified drivers for all of your hardware devices.
6. Run "chkdsk /r" to ensure filesystem integrity.

 

[pcgeek11]

Looks like a victim of a hijack...

pcgeek11

 

[hans030390]

You are running a legit version of Windows, right?

I'd check it like MrChad said, and if that does nothing, do as Geiser34 said.

 

[xtknight]

Maybe a couple shell files went unregistered. Follow the instructions here. http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articl...s/Internet-Explorer-corrupted-fix.html

 

[compudog]

I agree with pcgeek11. Sounds like a hijack.

Try this - GUIDE

DOWNLOAD

Good luck!

 

[Lemon law]

To kanad1,

Although its is not definitive that you have a virus---you can do on line scans at Kaspersky, Panda, trend micro, or McAfee. But while Kaspersky may now be the best in the business, it is sad that their on line scan does not do subsequent removal and is confined to identification.---but finding out what if anything you have is just a step one---with a HJT log also recommended.

But in the event that this is established as the work of a virus---removal of said virus is but a step one---and you also have to be prepared for the posssibility that even after the virus is removed---so much damage will have already have been done that you will have to nuke your system and start totally fresh with a clean install on a reformatted HD. Or you may get lucky and removal will cure the problem.

But the other wake up call you got in case this is a virus exploit---you need to upgrade your security so this never happens again. You need a firewall, you neeed a antivirus app, at least a few anti-syware apps, and one or more process control apps.---the your chance of being nailed again is much much lower.

 

[MadRat]

You really need to find a friend with a Windows PE disk. You can boot off the cd then go online and run the Kaspersky scanner.

http://usa.kaspersky.com/services/free-virus-scanner.php

 

[kanad1]

Thanx all for replying. Some quick facts I forgot to mention about my system:

1) Antivirus - AVG Free Edition fully updated and manually scanned atleast once per week
2) Lavasoft AdAware SE Personal - Installed and updated every day.
3) Firewall - Sygate Personal Firewall [latest version untill Sygate was bought out]
4) Windows Updates - Updated automatically with my permission for downloading and installing updates. [I have Service Pack 2]

As far as I remember, I diden't install / remove software / hardware, change any system critical settings [paging file or playing with registry, etc.]

What I want to say, in short, is that I have absolutely the lastest of everything EXCEPT HijackThis. Also, the problems surfaced all of a sudden one fine day, and I was so terrified that I ran checks for both Viruses and Ad/Malware but there was nothing to be found.

Please suggest more about HijackThis since this is the first time I have heard of this software.
Thanx again.

 

[gwag]

have you tried system restore?

 

[kanad1]

Alright! stability problems have gone away and I can happily say that my system is completely stable for hours on end no. Still one very small but important problem remains and that is of the "Send To" menu's disapperance. Please tell me how to get it back.
Thnx all!


BTW: For all of u who were wondering what was wrong with my system, it was some kind of a parasite. I updated my AdAware and it detected and removed it.