XP Will Not Start After .Malware Removal

Hello,
Chaslang from the malware removal forum helped me get rid of something that was hijacking my internet explorer. I was unable to complete his last set of instructions though because my XP stopped loading.
My next to last post in the malware removal thread includes detail of what happens when I try to start in safe mode, last known config, etc. Can you review that info easily or do I need to include it here? (I would have cut and pasted already but without a working computer, I am stuck with only the 2 inch screen on my cell phone, and so far I can't even find cut/paste function.)
Thank you,
Christine

 

These Microsoft based methods can repair and/or replace missing/damaged files:

chkdsk: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265/en-us
scannow: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310747/en-us
System Restore: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084
Last Known Good Configuration: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307852/en-us
Repair Install: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

NB: the malware cleaning could have deleted all system restore points.

 

The link to FabFlorida's (Christine's) thread is here: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=185751

 

Wow, thanks for the fast reply. I will go to the library tomorrow to check out those links.
Thabks again,
Christine

 

I finally got to a computer that works and I checked out all of the microsoft links you recommended. Four of the five (chkdsk, scannow, system restore, repair install) require me to be in windows. Windows will not load since I removed the malware.

The fifth link is last known configuration. I can get the advanced startup options by pressing F8 at startup, but last known last known configuration will not process and takes 20 minutes to return a return blue screen telling me to check for adequate disk space, to check for driver updates, to try changing video adapters, to check for bios updates, and to disable bios options such as caching or shadowing.

Any other suggestions for getting Windows XP working again?
Thanks,
Christine

 

The repair install does not involve booting up your Windows installation. You boot from your Windows setup disc.

 

I've always only had preloaded windows and never had any windows disks. Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Christine

 

I think it is now worse. I just turned on my main laptop for the first time since being unable to start in safe mode, restore last known config, etc, and now, F8 doesn't even work at startup. I just get a black screen that says:

A disk read error occurred
Press ctrl+alt+let to restart

 

10 minutes later:
I rebooted using F8 again and got the advanced startup screen. I tried "last known configuration" and got message:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

It says I can attempt repair wit setup CD, but I never had one.

 

I have another viao with windows xp but it didn't come with disks. I am on this computer in order to read/reply to this log. ONLY as of two days ago though, every time I reboot on this computer:
1. a webpage from trendmicro opens automaticlly even before I try to access te internet
2. the "k" character types itself incessantly and at will
3. I cannot get the "h" or "k" buttons to work at all, even after reloading the keyboard device driver.

The only way I was able to type this email to you so that you could read it was to find an "h" and a "k" in your email and cut and paste them REPEATEDLY into my reply! This is insane!!! This garbage started at the exact same time as trendmicro.com started opening by itself at computer startup.

I have wasted days and days and days and days on these two issues and have just ordered a recovery cd from sony. These computers were bloody expensive so I have to get them working again, but after this, no more sony or windows products for me. Can't take it.

(Oh yeah, and I have a third sony/windows XP in front of me that doesn't work either. Sometimes would boot if I removed the battery, but now even that isn't working.) This is a nightmare.