XP Start up issue...calling all guru's!

I have searched and found nothing here. Perhaps I need a lesson in searching this site. Here is my problem:

My son's friends were over Friday night and took my laptop to download a movie. They installed Limewire and got the movie they wanted Then they deleted limewire and the movie so that I wouldn't find out. Only, I of course found out. They had to tell me, because when you turn on the computer, it i smessed up.

Here's what happens: Turn on computer, it gets all the way to enter your password (Windows XP) when you enter the password, it accepts it and soon you see the wallpaper, but NO DESKTOP ITEMS, NO FILES, NO TASKBAR, NO MOUSE, NOTHING!

I have found CTRL ALT DEL brings up the Winows Task Manager, but I just don't know what to do to restore it.

Because I can't use the computer, I don't know how to copy what msconfig or anything else I have tried to this posting for you to see. I don't know what any of the techno babble means anyway. Obviously, I am using another computer to post this. I really need your help. Help me Obi Wan, you're my only hope!

 

Try using system restore to restore it to a time before they installed Limewire. To do this, open task manager, click file>new task (run) and type rstrui.exe. This should start system restore for you.

 

avoid limewire like the plague, it has so many viruses, keyloggers, trogans, etc on it. You need to stay away from it.

 

Zander Wan, just a point. There is no light-sabre (mouse/cursor).
[Uh-oh, who started this? ]

Fight your way through the dark lands of Startup and tap the mighty F8 key to unfold the Startup Menu. There you will see several paths. If you choose to go to the land of Safe Mode you will be offered an invitation to attend System Restore. Take it, and may the force be with you!

 

I have tried all of that. Even in safe mode with all of the options there, there are no working system restore options. The virus deleted all system restore points.

 

So scottsessions, this is the first time in this thread that a virus is mentioned. Now that you have added this to the equation, would you care to elaborate?

 

It works in Safe Mode? That will probably mean there is a junk program that is starting in normal mode.

You should be able to run antispyware and antivirus in safe mode, try that.

Look at the Startup tab in msconfig (Start -> Run, enter msconfig), you can uncheck all the items under the Startup tab if you wish.

Some of these "malware" are very tough to beat. Expect that you may have a battle on your hands.

If it is a virus, hopefully your Antivirus or Antispyware can extract it. They might, at least, tell you what is causing the problem.

Options:
You can work in Safe Mode, the system is basically operable.

The program Hijack This can tell you/us what might be happening during "normal" startup. Follow the instructions carefully for installing Hijack This. Post a HT log here if you like.

If worse comes to worst, and you have a Windows CD, you can reinstall (as opposed to reformat).

Let us know what you have tried and what information you think might help us. At the moment it appears to be a startup program problem.

Matt