[mcsmc]

I've reinstalled Windows XP so many times on this machine it's not even funny. Also, I recently (within the last month) replaced all hardware except for the hard drives and case (new mb, RAM, video card, power supply, etc.) and did a fresh install of Windows XP Professional after the hardware replacement/upgrade.

Here is my issue:

When I boot my computer up, and login (using classic login, not the welcome screen), the monitor is black. It's not in standby, it's receiving signal, but it's just black. If I press CTRL+ALT+DEL, the Windows Security window appears with the Change Password, Task Manager, etc. buttons. It looks normal. I can click on the Task Manager button, and start new tasks. However, the Start button/task bar aren't there... the window of say, Firefox, completely maximizes to the size of the screen. If I end process explorer.exe and restart it, nothing changes. However, if I log off (not reboot) and login again, sometimes it takes a few times, it will startup as normal.

I've recently installed some programs that I didn't end up keeping installed -- I uninstalled them again. One in particular, FolderLock (I believe that's the name) trial, messes with the registry to hide selected files from explorer, etc. It didn't seem to uninstall completely, but I can't be 100% sure that's the problem. I was getting errors when I closed Notepad and a few other programs, though not most programs. I ran a registry fixing utility/program that appeared to fix that. However, whenever I "Shutdown", the error windows appear for a few processes briefly, not long enough to read, before it goes into the light blue screen/"Windows is saving your settings" etc.

I just completed a scan with RootKitReveal and here are the results too (I'm not sure what they mean):

HKLM\S-1-5-21-1708537768-115176313-682003330-1003\Software\DFX\7\11\LASTUSED_DFXP\valSpectrumBand1\ 4/18/2006 7:51 PM 10 bytes Data mismatch between Windows API and raw hive data.
HKLM\S-1-5-21-1708537768-115176313-682003330-1003\Software\DFX\7\11\LASTUSED_DFXP\valSpectrumBand2\ 4/18/2006 7:51 PM 10 bytes Data mismatch between Windows API and raw hive data.
HKLM\S-1-5-21-1708537768-115176313-682003330-1003\Software\DFX\7\11\LASTUSED_DFXP\valSpectrumBand3\ 4/18/2006 7:51 PM 10 bytes Data mismatch between Windows API and raw hive data.
HKLM\S-1-5-21-1708537768-115176313-682003330-1003\Software\DFX\7\11\LASTUSED_DFXP\valSpectrumBand4\ 4/18/2006 7:51 PM 10 bytes Data mismatch between Windows API and raw hive data.
HKLM\S-1-5-21-1708537768-115176313-682003330-1003\Software\DFX\7\11\LASTUSED_DFXP\valSpectrumBand5\ 4/18/2006 7:51 PM 10 bytes Data mismatch between Windows API and raw hive data.
HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services\sptd\Cfg 4/5/2006 12:30 AM 0 bytes Access is denied.

I considered posting in the malware forum, and if this problem is more appropriate there, feel free to move the topic. However, all of my antivirus scans, etc. come up fine and it appears to be something with the registry, though I don't know where to begin. I've already tried System Restore, to no effect. Could someone please help?

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Oh yeah. Another issue that could or could not be related is the fact that my internet connection has been really screwy since around that time as well. My internet connection consists of a cable modem hooked into a Lingo "adaptor" hooked into a Linksys router which is hardwired to my computer via cat5 cable (in that order). I keep having to reset (via unplugging and plugging back in) all three modem/adaptor/router because my internet connection will just stop sending and receiving packets period, thus no connectivity to the internet.

[mcsmc]

Oh yeah. Another issue that could or could not be related is the fact that my internet connection has been really screwy since around that time as well. My internet connection consists of a cable modem hooked into a Lingo "adaptor" hooked into a Linksys router which is hardwired to my computer via cat5 cable (in that order). I keep having to reset (via unplugging and plugging back in) all three modem/adaptor/router because my internet connection will just stop sending and receiving packets period, thus no connectivity to the internet.

[Retired Tech]

Click start then run, type prefetch then press enter, click edit then select all, right click any file then click delete, confirm delete

Click start, all programmes, accessories, system tools to run disc clean up, then from system tools, run disc defragmenter.

Click start then run, type sfc /scannow then press enter, you need the XP CD and Windows File Protection will show a blue onscreen progress bar, when the bar goes, reboot

Download and install Tune Up 2006 Trial

Run Tune Up Disc Clean Up

Run Tune Up Registry Clean Up

Click Optimize and Improve to run Reg Defrag, which will take a few minutes and need a reboot. You should disable the antivirus programme to run this and check it is running after the reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to optimize the computer, select computer with an internet connection from the drop down menu, this also requires a reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to accelerate downloads, select the speed just above your actual connection speed, this requires a reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to run system advisor