HELP, Windows XPHome loads but is blank screen

Some Please help. I feel that my next step is to clean install (BIG PAIN). I came home from the firehouse to discover my desktop (running Windows XP Home with AVG Free 8.0) had multiple spam windows open telling me I had virus'. Also, my Spy Begone and XoftSpy SE had run with multiple findings. AVG had run during the night and found approximately 15 adware and viruses. I attempted to fix/clean from the three of them and the computer crashed. I then attempted to restart in Safe Mode to run scans.

Windows booted into safe mode but there are no icons or task bar. My mouse is able to move but I am unable to run ANY program. Booting normal brought the same results, No Icons, No Task Bar.

I took the HD out and placed it into an external case. My laptop recognized the HD and I was able to run AVG 8.0 on it and found 2 Trojans (I forget the names). AVG was able to remove the viruses and I replaced the HD back to the desktop. After the reboot all I get is the blank screen after windows loads. If I boot into safe mode I get the words in the corners of the screen but nothing else.

I’ve tried the repair option on the Windows XP disk (not the first R option but the one after you except the terms). Does any one know how I can fix this? Is this a fixable problem? Or am I going to need to clean install? I’m really stuck. :cry Thanks

 

While in "safe mode" does ctrl-alt-del bring up the task manager?
You might be able to use "run" command within task manager to do other fix-it tasks (msconfig, hijackthis,etc).

 

thanks for the reply. No even in Safe Mode the Ctr-Alt-Del doesn't open the task menu. I even tried to boot to Safe Mode with Command Prompt but the same resulted. I had hoped to be able to Restore the OS but even the F8 Directory Services Restore Option doesn't help me, Black screen with Safe Mode in all four corners.

 

OK, since no one knows how to fix this problem effectively, especially Microsoft (worthless), I've chosen to just wipe the HD and start over. I'm using a third party tool from WebRoot to clean the HD on three passes so there is virtually no chance of the Virus hanging around. The wiping tool even wipes and rewrites to boot and memory. Hope this helps anyone else that has/had the same problem.