No desktop after login

[ianniow]

I have a laptop (WinXP) which managed to get the koobface virus.

I have cleaned that off and run a number of different anit virus/spam etc programs and am confident that it is now clean.

The problem is that there is no desktop, taskbar etc after login. I can ctrl-alt-del / newtask / explorer and everything is fine and it all works.

I have checked the HKLM\software\microsoft\windowsnt\currentversion\winlogon\shell is set to explorer.exe

I have even added it to the Run under HKLM\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion

and it still does not want to start.

I have also done sfc/scannow with an XP sp3 cdrom

Now I have reached my limit I would really like to fix this with out doing install fix/repair.

Has any one got any ideas

[elsiegee40]

I have a laptop (WinXP) which managed to get the koobface virus.

I have cleaned that off and run a number of different anit virus/spam etc programs and am confident that it is now clean.

The problem is that there is no desktop, taskbar etc after login. I can ctrl-alt-del / newtask / explorer and everything is fine and it all works.

I have checked the HKLM\software\microsoft\windowsnt\currentversion\winlogon\shell is set to explorer.exe

I have even added it to the Run under HKLM\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion

and it still does not want to start.

I have also done sfc/scannow with an XP sp3 cdrom

Now I have reached my limit I would really like to fix this with out doing install fix/repair.

Has any one got any ideas

 

I assume you have tried doing this in safe mode?

 

This probably isn't the answer you want: I have no idea how many hours you have spent on this, but seriously, there is a point at which it is easier and quicker to reformat the hard drive and re-install. You can spend hours trying to clear this sort of thing and get nowhere. Have you reached that point now?

[sonofsanta]

I assume you have tried doing this in safe mode?

 

This probably isn't the answer you want: I have no idea how many hours you have spent on this, but seriously, there is a point at which it is easier and quicker to reformat the hard drive and re-install. You can spend hours trying to clear this sort of thing and get nowhere. Have you reached that point now?

 

That point is usually a few seconds after realising a computer has a virus, a rootkit, malware, a driver clash... more or less anything. It's so easy to set up network computers compared to working out how to clear each virus that I just automatically reach for the XP disc.

 

The goalposts move for my personal PC, mind...

[ianniow]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I know that re install is the easiest route.

I am fitting this around more important work so I figure the user can wait a while.

I hate admitting defeat

[ianniow]

Fixed it

 

I had another pc with another problem logging off just as desktop appears and reboot when going into safe mode.

Anyway came across this site Intro & Updates

 

Followed the instructions and it got the desktop back.

Had to admit it was a leap of faith as I could not see exactly what is was going to do.