PCTech Forums

I have 2 hard disks installed, and run windows XP.
I opened a word attachment to an e mail yesterday, and a warning message pop up box from my norton antivirus appeared, asking to quarantine a "malicious script...". I entered yes.
Since then although the computer starts OK, none of the usual programs load up. The icons appear on the desktop, but a message saying "cannot find C:program.......(what ever program icon I press). This includes norton antivirus,systems work,firewall, word, excel, adobe , all the accessory programs except defragment disc.etc. Only internet explorer and microsoft outlook open. In the lower right hand corner, on the task bar, no icons appear. Same thing when I enter through start or via the my computer icon. The program icons appear, but " cannot find C:program.....
I have scaned with Norton antivirus from the semantic website, and booting from my norton disc, the computer starts OK but the problem remains.
Also CD s are recognised but not run.
My antivirus is up to date.
It is as if my C drive cannot be found !
Help !!!!!!
Jimmi

Have you run a Trojan scan?
Did Norton give you any details? I've been searching and I'm coming up blank........
If you open Windows Explorer can you navigate to the programs in question? Will they run if you click their .exe file? Is the path of the shortcut correct?
You said you had two HD's.... Have the drive letters been changed?
Before I recomend "System Restore" I'd really like some more info. brad

A new version of the blaster program is being sent out as an email so I wonder if you got infected with it. Can you run a virus scan.

What is the name of the quarantined file?
Also in Norton's quarantined section you can select the quarantined file and then select properties, select the virus info tab, what is the name of the virus?

HI all,
Using windows explorer leads to the same problem. A message box saying "Windows cannot find 'C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe. Make sure you have typed the name correctly and try again" Similar to the message boxes that appear with all the other applications apart from outlook and internet explorer. Though if I go through a saved picture or document or saved music file I can indirectly start the programs eg with word, picture it , WMP.
My Norton programs are updated weekly so are up to date, and besides I have scaned for viruses and Trojans using symantic website, and my own NAV disc to boot the computer and scan in DOS.
Since I cannot start the antivirus from the start menu, or desktop, or via my computer I cannot get to the quaratined items.(I can get into most of my programs as above)
Also the programs which load as windows does normally, like the firewall,background antivirus monitoring, Real player, WMX etc are not loading.
Icannot access MSCONFIG via run, as it a message box appears as well saying "windows cannot find MSCONFIG"
Though NAV said it was sending it to Symantic I suspect it did not.
I hope Ive answered everyone
HELP!!!!!
Jimmi

Can you get to Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore? If so try restoring the system to the day before this happened and see if it corrects the problem.

Hi
As I mentioned before, only scan disk works under accessories. System restore does not open . Instead a message box saying " Windows cannot find'C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\Restore\rstrui.exe' Make sure you typed.....
Jimmi

Are you able to start your systm in safe mode?
(Start the computer and then press the F8 key when Windows begins to start)
Can you access any of the programs in safe mode that you can not access under normal mode?

Thanks,
but the problem persists in safe mode
Jimmi

If nothing else is suggested that works you might want to consider doing a Repair of your install of Windows XP with the installation CD.

Ive tried that, but I get the msgbox saying windows cannot find D:\setup exe. So the disc will not start
Jimmi

Have you tried booting from the Windows XP CD?
Load up your windows XP CD in to your CD Rom drive.
Now restart your system if your BIOS is set to boot from CD first then you will see the Windows Xp setup screen. If your BIOS is not set to boot from CD first then windows will load, if this is the case then you will have to change your BIOS. To change your BIOS restart your system, when you see the BIOS detecting your drive press the “Delete key” that should get you into the BIOS. Now look for the “Boot Sequence” and using your arrow keys select Boot from CD Rom first, press f10 to save your changes and your system will reboot to the CD Rom with your Windows XP CD in it. Now you should be booting of the Windows XP CD and you can repair from there.

I have booted from widows CD. It boots OK (It does boot from CD first in BIOS) but the problem is still there.
I had a problem with the R(repair), when it asks for administrators password, as I am the only profile on the computer. What can I do to get round this ?
Jimmi

Have you tried putting in your password? Failing that, you may have specified a password when you first installed windows - if you have several passwords that you may have used, you may have to just go through them onje by one