[Raja G]

My laptop is infected with worm.win32.netsky. I have gone through several Forum postings and I am unable to find a matching condition similar to mine.
When the loptap is turned on, I see a pop up screen message that says worm.win32.netsky detected and need to perform a full scan. After a few minutes, there is a pop window that says Unable to initiate Userinit Login Application. And then the desktop shows no icons or task bars. It is empty with the background picture.

I tried to start the laptop in safe mode. It starts and displays a series of files and stops. No icons, or task bar.

Can I re-install Window XP? If I do that, will I lose all the data files? Are there any other solutions?

Thanks for your help.

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Hi, Raja G

Welcome.

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del. Would the Task Manager launches? If it does, run Explorer.exe as a New Task. Are you able to see the icons afterward?

[JSntgRvr]

Hi, Raja G

Welcome.

Press Ctrl+Alt+Del. Would the Task Manager launches? If it does, run Explorer.exe as a New Task. Are you able to see the icons afterward?

[Raja G]

I tried that. Task Manager is greyed out and not active.

[JSntgRvr]

Press the Windows key +r. Does the Run box launches?

[Raja G]

Sorry, I don't understand what +r means.

[Raja G]

I found it! I will try and let you know.

[JSntgRvr]

Let me make sure.

It is the Windows key plus the R key on the keyboard.

[Raja G]

I tried and nothing happens.

[JSntgRvr]

I would recommend a repair install instead of a clean install. With the Repair install, chances are you will not lose your documents. With a clean install, since it will require a reformat, your drive will be erased. A repair wont delete however the malware in your computer. Here are some instructions for the repair install:

http://michaelsteven...pairinstall.htm

If you select this option, once repaired you will need to go throughout our cleanup guide and post the reports requested.

[Raja G]

I appreciate your help. I will get back after I 'repair install'.

[Raja G]

Tried to repair install. It does not complete. It hangs in 'Installing Windows' step. The status window shows installing devices. 'Set up will complete in approx. 34 minutes' message appears even after 2 hours. Can I re-try?

[JSntgRvr]

I will move this topic to the Windows XP forum and ask someone to assist you.

[Broni]

Set up will complete in approx. 34 minutes

It looks like hardware issue.
Read here: http://support.micro...kb/828267/en-us

[The Skeptic]

Download Avira AntiVir Rescue system from here. The downloaded file contain a CD burnibg tool. Use it to burn and create a bootable CD. Boot the computer with the new CD and run a complete test of your computer. Please note:

The built-in CD burning program will only work with "normal" CDs (not DVD)

The default language of the program is German. You can change it to English (two flags at the left bottom corner).

Before starting the test click "configuration" and chose the option that do not delete infected files. Instead, it will try to repair them or change their name, making them harmless.

If after the scan you can boot the computer, move to the malware forum for a complete malware cleanup (a link to the forum in my list below).

[Raja G]

I checked the log files and found this error - Set up encountered an error while trying to set systems security. An extended error has occured.

The error is in 'Symantec Network Security Miniport'.

Is there any way to skip this section and proceed? Or should I try Avira AntiVir Rescue system option?