My Windows Xp Loads As Vista. Why?

Several weeks ago I installed a Vista emulation program on my Windows XP Pro, HP Computer. I later removed it after noting that certain programs would not load at all as well as other little twirks in the system. In spite of doing everything I could to remove the Vista emulation software my computer boots up with a Windows Vista logo before loading the drivers and then loading as Windows XP.

With this, last used program icons will not go into my Start Menu box, like before. My XDrive backup program cannot find my network, and thus will not load properly. It says: "The specified network name is no longer available." My Network Places \ Entire Network lists:

1. Microsoft Terminal Services
2. Microsoft Windows Network
3. Netware or Compatible Network
4. Web Client Network

Where these all came from, I do not know. I am not on a network where I share with another computer. I do use Virtual Box, running another copy of Windows XP in virtual, and it and works well. My XDrive will work fine through my Virtual Box but not through my main desktop.

Also, when I boot up I am forced to have to login as HP Administrator when I never had to login before. I simply had the machine to boot up without having to login.

All this has occurred since I installed and removed that Vista emulation software. I use ESED NOD32 antivirus and the free version of Online Armor as my firewall. I have also run Malwarebytes and Superanitspyware and cc cleaner and RegCure, to no avail. Can you help me identify and root out this problem? I would much appreciate it.

 

well in my opinion Vista emulation is a bad idea but anywho how exactly did you emulate vista? did you dowload something like $$$Servicepack$$$ or something like that?

 

I don't remember the name of the emulation program I downloaded. After it gave me trouble I started wiping out all references to it, thinking it was infected.

 

ok try this > My computer > C: > WINNT > and try searching for the thing you downloaded

or it wight be in "add or remove" did you try to check?


***Note*** anything you delete will be lost forever

 

You might try Revo Uninstaller 1.60 at http://www.majorgeeks.com/Revo_Uninstaller_d5706.html

IMO, it is the best uninstaller I have come across.

It usually lists programs you have forgotten you installed, and not used for ages. Check every icon, there will be lots of icons.

It may not work in your case as you have already deleted many references, but should be worth a try. Bazza

 

I downloaded Revo Uninstaller 1.60 and ran it. Nothing of the old program was listed.

 

Sorry about that. It was worth a try.:cry Bazza

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I did a regedit and found vista transformation pack on my registry. This is the program I originally installed. Do you think I can just go in there and delete it?

 

I would try the registry scan using CCleaner. It will back up your registry and may remove it for you. http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4191.html

E

 

How did you uninstall it? How you uninstalled it willdetermine how to completely remove everything.

After using the Vista Transformation pack windows will start up with the vista screen first and then use XP after that.

 

I'd also recommend giving Advanced WindowsCare v2 Personal 2.7.2 a go.
From http://www.majorgeeks.com/Advanced_WindowsCare_v2_Personal_d4991.html

There is also a version 3 available at Major Geeks, but v2 is simpler to use for the first time.

Don't be frightened by the numbers shown when you first run it. It is only loading its' database. A great program, one of my favourites, and I run it daily (together with CCleaner, and others).

Bazza

 

I had previously ran ccleaner, and did it again at your request. Also downloaded and ran Advanced Windows Care v2. Neither one fixed the problem.

To my remembrance I originally uninstalled Vista Transformation through the program's own uninstall file.

Once again, I did find several references to Vista Transformation pack in my Registration files, through regedit. Is it advisable to go ahead and delete those references? Everything else seems to delete trash around it.

 

Since no-one has answered you previous post, I would suggest making a backup copy of your Registry first by loading Regedit, then -----> File --->Export to somewhere where you will remember it in case something goes wrong.

Then delete all entries that you can find, and see what happens. Use this suggestion at your own risk, of course. Bazza

 

I did that the other day. I deleted all references to Vista Transformation, rebooted and the Vista logo still came up and I still had the same other problems, plus several of my regular programs would not work. I had to restore to a previous setting in order to get my system back to where it was.

I was wondering if it's something in my Master Boot Record. If so, what can I do about it?

 

I'll leave an answer to the MBR suggestion to others more expert than myself, but if forced to give an answer I'd say no. Bazza

 

Now I want to ask you some questions.
1.What service pack do you have?
2.What version of VTP do you install on Xp 8.0 or 8.0.1?