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Registry Issues

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by davtin, 2008/02/11.

  1. 2008/02/11
    davtin

    davtin Inactive Thread Starter

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    recently encounter malware problems which are now resolved however during the clean up process i am sure somethings happened to my registry files as certain programs no longer work. Also my IE browser is not working properly. The desktop icon creates a new IE shortcut everytime i click it, and many pages cannot be displayed. I deleted the icon and tried to create a new one using 'customise desktop' under 'display properties' but the option to display IE icon on desktop has disappeared?

    My gmail is now viewed in basic HTML and when i attempt to switch to standard the screen just goes blank?

    Please help!
     
  2. 2008/02/11
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    If you have System Restore enabled, use it to return to a time when things worked. I mean before the registry was "cleaned ".

    If that isn't available and you have no other system backup, you should back up any valuable personal files to separate media and reinstall XP clean. A Repair install won't likely work in your case but feel free to try.
     

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  4. 2008/02/11
    davtin

    davtin Inactive Thread Starter

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    the later sounds a bit drastic!

    System restore is enabled, but how do I restore?
     
  5. 2008/02/11
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore and follow the wizard.
     
  6. 2008/02/11
    davtin

    davtin Inactive Thread Starter

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    thanks, however wizard doesn't run, i get either nothing or a blank window
     
  7. 2008/02/11
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    If you used a Registry Cleaner, most of them make backups. How about yours? If it has backups, run them and restore the Registry in hopes of curing the ills.

    If that isn't an option, click on C:\System Volume Information and see what's inside there. If you are refused access, open a command window and type:

    cacls "C:\System Volume Information" /e /g owner:f

    If your user name isn't "owner" then change the script above accordingly.

    That will give you permission to open the System Volume Information folder. Hopefully it will contain several _Restore {xxxxxxxxx folders and within each will be an RP# folder and within that will be a Snapshot folder. The Snapshot folder contains a copy of the Registry hives on the date the System Recovery made its backup.

    Post back what you find from that and it may be possible to fix your system by copying these Reg files back to your active Registry using the Recovery Console. There is still some doubt that it is an actual Registry problem so if it isn't, none of this will help at all.

    Feel free to also run SFC /scannow and have your installation CD ready when asked. This probably won't help either but it will give you more reason to accept the clean install method.


    Edit. I forgot to mention that the System Volume Information folder is a hidden folder. To reveal it, you will need to change your view settings to show all files and folders:

    Open Windows Explorer or My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > View >

    Tag the box labeled "Show hidden files and folders "

    Untag the boxes labeled "Hide file extensions for known file types" and "Hide protected operation system files "

    OK out of there.
     
    Last edited: 2008/02/11
  8. 2008/02/12
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    I don't think, this is a good idea to use System Restore after malwares were removed, unless you want them back.
    I'd rather try running:
    sfc /scannnow, or Windows Repair option.
     
  9. 2008/02/12
    davtin

    davtin Inactive Thread Starter

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    regarding the command line, can you confirm there should be a SPACE before and after the " ". Also, is there a SPACE between /e/g ?

    pls cfm as i've tried a few permitations but always get syntax error?
     
  10. 2008/02/12
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    cacls~ "C:\System~Volume~Information "~/e~/g~owner:f

    The red tilde indicates where spaces are inserted.
     
  11. 2008/02/12
    davtin

    davtin Inactive Thread Starter

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    thanks, after typing the command line, i get the following message: -

    No mapping between account names and security IDs was done
     
  12. 2008/02/12
    davtin

    davtin Inactive Thread Starter

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    ** tried running sfc /scannow the command prompt flashed on screen for a few seconds, then disappeared?
     
  13. 2008/02/12
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Windows Repair option?
     
  14. 2008/02/12
    davtin

    davtin Inactive Thread Starter

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    forgive my ignorance, but where can I find that?
     
  15. 2008/02/12
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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    Now you're starting to understand why I suggested the drastic move early on. Systems with damage like yours has are hard to resurrect to normalcy.

    It will be much faster and easier to bite the bullet and do the clean install. I would try the Repair over-install first but don't be too surprised if it doesn't do a complete fix. There is a possibility that it could return the System Restore applet to functionality so that's some hope. Even if it does, you still risk re-corrupting your system from the stored backup data in System Recovery. Not a lot there to give hope.

    I recommend that you get your valued data backed up first. Do a clean install and get the system back to the latest updated standard. Then reinstall your software. Then get a disk imaging software and make regular backups to separate media so that the next time this happens, you can be back up and running in less than 15 minutes. There's something you can count on for a cure and future preventative.

    I'm sorry I can't offer any specific fix for your present condition. I doubt you'll find one but feel free to wait for any further ideas from others.

    Good luck.
     
  16. 2008/02/12
    surferdude2

    surferdude2 Inactive

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