XP boots right into my user folder...

[NOX]

About two days ago my wife installed this Isearch adware program (she said it was an accident). I was having problems removing it with Ad Aware, because XP's system restore feature had already made backup copies of my system. So I had to run XP in safe mode and use Ad Aware to remove it. It got ride off the program with all its adware/spyware registry information and all that other crap.

Anyway, soon after that I noticed that everytime I boot into XP it would take me directly into my user folder. I tried looking at the boot files etc., but none of that worked. So everytime I boot into XP the computer goes right into my user folder, which is starting to bug the crap out of me.

Does anyone know how I can stop my computer from doing this? I know it'll prabably be something simple that I am over looking.

Thanks.

[UPDATE]

I've also tried looking in the registry, but I'm not sure what I'm suppose to look for. I've heard of XP booting into the System32 folder, but the fix for that is not working for my problem.

 

[NOX]

TTT

 

[blizz]

This thread may help.

 

[NOX]

That's good to know, however, my problem must be something else because everything there was fine.

 

[imported_Phil]

Start -> Run -> msconfig.

Check for any blank entries (un-tick them), and check that all the command line options (e.g. "c:\windows\somewhere\something.exe") are enclosed in speech marks.

I used to have this problem, and that solved it.

 

[NOX]

Ok, I will try that when I get home.

Thanks.

 

[NOX]

Man, this is crazy. Msconfig showed that WINNT32.exe was in the startup, the registry also confirmed this. Anyway after shutting it off (unchecking it in Msconfig), my computer no longer boots opens my user folder upon booting up.

So it's fixed, but now I'm wonder why it did this to begin with? Why would WINNT32.exe be in the startup option when it really doesn't have to be?

Also would it be safe for me to remove WINNT32.exe from my startup in the reg? I don't see why not because I've already disabled it in msconfig, however, I want to make sure.

Thanks.

 

[amdskip]

Its fine to have that removed, probably just spyware that did it.

 

[KF]

>WINNT32.exe was in the startup
WINNT32.exe is the name of the XP installer. It is the program on the CD which installs XP. The only copy I have on my HD is from a copy of the install directory on the CD. There is no way you should be running this program normally.

I tried typing WINNT32.exe in the "run" box, and what showed up was my personal Documents and Settings folder. I think the reason is that it is the folder the OS ends up at when it can't find the file it's looking for anywhere.

 

[NOX]

Originally posted by: KF
>WINNT32.exe was in the startup
WINNT32.exe is the name of the XP installer. It is the program on the CD which installs XP. The only copy I have on my HD is from a copy of the install directory on the CD. There is no way you should be running this program normally.

I tried typing WINNT32.exe in the "run" box, and what showed up was my personal Documents and Settings folder. I think the reason is that it is the folder the OS ends up at when it can't find the file it's looking for anywhere.

Yeah that's funny because when I do the same it finds nothing. Yet it shows WINNT32.exe in the registry. Well, like amdskip said it was probably some type of spyware like that Isearch toolbar, which my wife accidentally installed.