Computer won't boot up, desktop freezes

[ZYouL8R]

My GF's computer has been getting alot of popups lately so I told her to install some anti-virus software. She installed it, then it asked her to restart her computer, so she did. On the restart, the picture on her desktop background shows but no icons, no Start menu, no nothing. This happens on every boot.

She can ctrl+alt+del but nothing abnormal is running under the processes. I told her to go to File->New Task and then browse. "My Documents" comes up with several folders, but when she tries to go Back to her C:, it just shows the binoculars like its searching for it but never finds it. I'm stumped after messing with this for an hour or so. Any help?

BTW, this is WinXP.

[AbecX]

Perhaps you meant to post in the sports forum?

[ZYouL8R]

[QUOTE=AbecX]Perhaps you meant to post in the sports forum?[/QUOTE]

:confused:

[thiscat2000]

I would boot it in safe mode and install ad aware se personal edition with the latest spyware definitions. Try that then come back.

[Hunt4m3x]

WinPE.

[mgar22]

If you can Ctrl+alt+delete and pull up the Task Manager. Check to see if explorer.exe is running under the "Processes" tab. If not, click "New Task..." under the "Applications" tab and browse to c:\windows and open the "explorer.exe" file. Your desktop should then appear correctly.

I just read your post again. If it can't find the C:\ you may need to reinstall your OS. Or try and type C:\windows\explorer.exe in the open field when you go to "New Task".

[ZYouL8R]

Explorer.exe is running under the processes.

We tried to boot in safe mode using "msconfig". When it prompts you to restart the computer, it freezes after you choose "restart", so we had to use F8. When booted in safe mode, the computer wouldn't get past the screen where you pick which user you are. Nothing is working at all.

[lowthreeohz]

format

[dewayne6243]

I would get your OS disk and do a system repair. Don't just format it and give up.

[Richie064]

yes i have had this problem, for some fkn reason windows deciedes to delete a file by itself or some virus does it. all you have to do is like they said get a window xp cd run it and repair your windows takes like 5-10 mins.

[mgar22]

Agree. Try a repair first, if not, don't format, just reinstall the OS over the current one. It will save any important docs you may have had.

[DarkWolf]

[QUOTE=mgar22]Agree. Try a repair first, if not, don't format, just reinstall the OS over the current one. It will save any important docs you may have had.[/QUOTE]

As long as you're backing up those important docs, in preperation for a format, this is good advice.

But reinstalling windows over windows, is never a good idea for a long term solution.

Ever.

[ZYouL8R]

Well she put in the Windows recovery CD and it won't read the D drive, just said "Device is not ready". Something is seriously f'd here and I have a feeling nothing software related will fix it.

[Trip139]

I wouldn't be that disheartened. I'll bet a good ol' reformat will fix it. It cures what ails ya!

[mgar22]

[QUOTE=DarkWolf]As long as you're backing up those important docs, in preperation for a format, this is good advice.

But reinstalling windows over windows, is never a good idea for a long term solution.

Ever.[/QUOTE]
But if his computer freezes and doesn't allow him to get to important docs then that is what he'll need to do in order to recover them. Or is that what you are talling me?? Anyways, I've never had problems copying over a Win OS install, but I do agree, not the best long term solution. Clean format & install is always better.

[DarkWolf]

Yeah, I was meaning a dirty install is alright, as long as it's only for the length of time it takes to get the data backed up, so you can do a format and a clean install.