Blank Desktop & Start menus

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by GolfLSD, Jun 6, 2011.

  1. GolfLSD

    GolfLSD Private E-2

    Hi, today I got a friend's computer whereby he had lost everything on his desktop. When you press the Start button, it shows you all the folder names, but each folder shows as 'empty'.
    When I log in as another user, it is the same. I ran MBAM, SAS, CCleaner, etc, as I have in the past for cleaning viruses from this and other friend's systems.
    It found a couple of fake av, and Trojan viruses and cleaned them out.
    But, when I try to run System restore to even go back to an infected state, it cannot run. It says the system restore is unable to protect this computer, please restart. I have but it doesn't help. Also, I can only run these programs by digging my way down to the program directory and double clicking on the the executable files, as all these programks had been previously installed, but the shortcuts to get to them are gone. I have even looked for them in the all users thru windows explorer, and the menus are empty.

    I don't have a desire to rebuild the hard drive from scratch, but fear that this will be a necessary procedure.

    This is a Dell latitude laptop, 2gb ram, running windows XP sp3. 120gb hard drive.

    Thanking you in advance for any advice and assistance.
     
  2. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    Please download and save the below to your Desktop or anywhere else you can find it ( if the Desktop is not showing )

    http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/grinler/unhide.exe

    Now run it. Did that help?

    Work your way through the below too.

    Please read ALL of this message including the notes before doing anything.

    Pleases follow the instructions in the below link:

    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide


    and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.
    • **** If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going. ****
    • Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not. MGtools will frequently run even when all other tools will not.

    • After completing the READ & RUN ME and attaching your logs, make sure that you tell us what problems still remain ( if any still do )!
    Helpful Notes:

    1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode, you can run the steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:
    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.
    3. If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this other user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.
    4. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:
    Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.
     
  3. GolfLSD

    GolfLSD Private E-2

    Fantastic!! Everything worked.:-D
    Thank you so much.
    I had to run the unhide from the original infected user, then on a reboot, everything he needed is back!
    Your site ROCKS!! Only place I come to for assistance. In the past I haven't had to post as the basics of removal have always gotten the systems I need to repair back in working order - I help my family and friends a bunch.
    Now if I can only get them to stop hitting the bad sites...

    I greatly appreciate your guidance.

    You ARE THE BEST!! :cool
     
  4. Kestrel13!

    Kestrel13! Super Malware Fighter - Major Dilemma Staff Member

    You're welcome. To check for any possible remaining malware please attach the requested logs and I can then review them.
     

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