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My Friends Puter has Wallpaper [resolved]


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#1
Learnatic

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My friend has wallpaper and a dialogue box saying
"Explorer.exe Application Error oxc0000022"
"Appliction Failed".
This started happening last Sunday ( 9th Oct) and I started it in safe mode and set it to restore at 16th Sept. But same results came up !! I've come to a dead-end.
I ran ( in safe mode) the un[u]-updated Ad Aware, Spybot, CWS, AVG and HJT.
It will not hookup to the internet for updates and she has no printer, even if it'd work in Safe Mode.
Still just a picture in normal mode sans toolbar, icons and mouse activity.
Thanks for looking.
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#2
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I posted tis topic on 11th of Oct I think and no response and now I can't find it.
Puzzleous to say the least.
Windos starts up and Wallpaper shows but then it's completely inert. No taskbar or icons or right-clicking on mouse.
Where can I go, who can I run to??
It's Win XP SP2 about 3-4 months since new.
Intel P4 3.0Ghz
512DDRRAM and 80 Gbyte Seagate.
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#3
g2i2r4

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Welcome back Learnatic to Geeks to Go!

I found your topic and merged it into this one.

Can you post me a HijackThis log made on that computer?
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#4
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Thanks g2i2r4. I can't print the HJT log as there is no printer and I don't know if it's work in safe mode anyway.
Would you suggest I write it all down and type it? This might be my only option.
Cheers.
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#5
g2i2r4

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Maybe you can put it on a floppy (or disk or stick) and transfer it like that?
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#6
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Gosh mate, it is so modern, it doesn't have a floppy and I was surprised I could 'copy' it to a CD but when I got the CD into my puter, nothing was there !!! And it wouldn't recognise a stick when we put it into the USB portMight try and take a photo when up the street next.
Cheers,
Max.
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#7
g2i2r4

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This is not gonna be easy then. For most thing I will need use a tool other than the ones already on it.

See if you can at least post me a log.
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#8
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Will do thanks g2i2r4.
Will see her this evening and somehow copy the log. It's 9:30AM here at the moment.
Cheers,
M.
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#9
g2i2r4

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:tazz: We have a small timezone difference then.

Take your time, I'll be around somewhere.
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#10
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Thanks g2i2r4, the screen has been black now for some time. Have rebooted but just the black screen so it's now going to the shop. The box 'blinks' from time to time but after many hours and various monitors, no light.
In the past, I've booted Win98 with a diskette but these newer puters don't have an 'A' drive. How can I get a disk to boot her puter up if this happenes again? Just puzzleous.
Thanks.
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#11
g2i2r4

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Does she have a boot disk?
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#12
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We have the new XP disc still in it's cellophane wrapper.
Can't do much now thanks mate, just back from knee surgery and anaesthetic still wearing off. Will be compus-mentus tomorrow.
Thanks for your help.
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#13
g2i2r4

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Ough, I hope you get well soon. Let me know when you're up to it.
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#14
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OkieDokie g2i2r4, puter fixed at shop for 'only' $Aus50.. The fellow simply booted off from another XP disc. I'd tried that but to no avail !! So everyone's happy (ecxept me the Learner. I wanted to fix it) :-)
Thanks for your thoughts.
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#15
g2i2r4

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Thanks for the feedback. I feel pretty much like you, we could have done it, I'm sure of it...

Still, I happy for you it's solved now. I'll post you some tips for the future.

Stay well!

----------

Please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
  • Disable and Enable System Restore. - If you are using Windows ME or XP then you should disable and re-enable system restore to make sure there are no infected files found in a restore point.

    You can find instructions on how to enable and re-enable system restore here:

    Managing Windows Millenium System Restore

    or

    Windows XP System Restore Guide

    Re-enable system restore with the instructions from the tutorial above

  • Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
    • From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
    • Click once on the Security tab
    • Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
    • Click once on the Custom Level button.
      • Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
      • Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
      • Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
      • Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
      • Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
      • Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
      • When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
      • If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
    • Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
  • Use an AntiVirus Software - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.

    See this link for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs:

    Virus, Spyware, and Malware Protection and Removal Resources

  • Update your AntiVirus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.

  • Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is succeptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.

    For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:

    Understanding and Using Firewalls

  • Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer always has the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.

  • Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option. This will provide realtime spyware & Hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with this program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software.

    A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

    Using Spybot - Search & Destroy to remove Spyware , Malware, and Hijackers

  • Install Ad-Aware – Download and install Ad-Aware. You should also scan your computer with this program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software in conjunction with Spybot.

    A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

    Using Ad-aware to remove Spyware, Malware, & Hijackers from your Computer

  • Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will add a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.

    A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:

    Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware

  • Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.
Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

You may want to check this fine article by Tony Klein: How did I get infected in the first place?

Glad I was able to help.
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