explorer doesn't load on startup

can you boot in safe mode?

Do you remember what the trojans were called?

Assuming you ran avg from the start >>run - can you get to system restore?

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore\rstrui.exe

 

From Task Manager, New Task (Run...) enter iexplore and click OK. Does an Internet Explorer browser window open? If yes, click on the below link and select Run

MGtools

A command prompt Window will hopefully open and the MGtools scans will run. This should create a log named MGlogs.zip in the root folder of your Windows boot drive. Normally this would be C:\MGlogs.zip

Attach this MGlogs.zip file to your next message. (See: HOW TO: Attach Items To Your Post )

 

It did not run properly/completely. Possibly due to problems with Explorer.exe being missing.

See if you can run the System Restore command from Task Manager. Corporal Punishment gave you the command:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\Restore\rstrui.exe

If it runs, see if you can perform a system restore to a date in time before the problem began.

 

From Task Manager run cmd

Does a command prompt Window open up?


Also from Task Manager, New Task (Run...) enter iexplore and click OK. Does an Internet Explorer browser window open? If yes, click on the below link and select Run

XPsp2bu.exe

If this runs okay (i.e., you don't get any error messages), try copying and pasting the below into the New Task (Run...) box and click OK.

copy C:\MGtools\temp\explorer.exemg C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe

If the copy appears to work, now try running explorer.exe from Task Manager.

 

That is the correct behavior.

Exactly what I gave you all on one line. The below is what you should be copying. The spaces are important which is why I say copy and paste.

copy C:\MGtools\temp\explorer.exemg C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe

 

Okay I see the reason for explorer.exe not running. It is due to the below registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

See if you can run regedit.exe from Task Manager. If you can, then navigate to the above registry key and right click on it and select delete. Then see if you can run Windows Explorer. If you can then reboot and make sure you still can. If you cannot, then reboot and see if you can.

 

You're welcome. It would be a good idea to work thru the full cleaning procedure below just to make sure that your system is clean.


Please follow the instructions in the READ & RUN ME FIRST link given futher down and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

• If you have problems where no tools seem to run, please try following the steps given in the below and then continue on no matter what you find. You only need to try the TDSSserv steps if having problems getting scans in the Read & Run Me First.
  • TDSSserv Non-Plug & Play Driver Disable
• 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.

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

• 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:
   
   • Starting your computer in Safe mode
2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes and Spybot ( 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. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:
   • Don't Bump! It Only Hurts You!!!

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.
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