Need Install Repair advice after removing Trojan

After helping me clean my Dell Dimension 8400 (Win XP Pro SP2) system of unwanted malware, including the TrojanDownloader.Small.azk, chaslang of the Spyware forum suggests a Reinstall Repair is in order to resolve the remaining problems outlined in my thread in the spyware forum Missing Starup & Taskbar.

I have reviewed chaslang's reference How to Run a Repar Install as well as an article at www.michaelevanstech.com. Microsoft also has link in the last reference to removing a problemmatic file in WINDOWS System 32 (und_guimode.txt). According to the Microsoft article, this command in OEM Reinstall CDs causes unnecessary problems and should be removed prior to initiating the Reinstall.

All of this has made me a bit uneasy, so I am hoping someone can guide me through the Install Repair process.


Thanks in advance,

kellyplus

 

There is not a lot to it really, however you may lose some settings and Patches, but that's not a big deal.

To repair XP, follow these steps after first configuring your Bios to boot from CD, then insert your Windows XP CD, and restart your computer



1. When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.

2. Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen.

3.Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.

4.In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.

5.Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.

6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.


That's it!

 

Houston, we have a problem! After reconfiguring BIOS to boot from a CD, I followed the steps outlined in your response. Everything fine until windows attempted to do the setup , resulting in this error message:

"an error...prevents setup from continuing. Setup failed to install the product catalogs. This is a fatal error. The set up log files should contain more information."

The Log said:

"Error: The signature for Windows XP Professional Upgrade is invalid. The error code is 426. The service has not been started..." then the above fatal error message was essentially repeated.

As mentioned in my first post, my computer is a dell, with Windows factory installed. The CD they provided is a Windows Reinstallation CD. Also, I tried to remove the command that causes problems in OEM Reinstalls, but was unable to find the file in the command window.

Now, if I try to reboot in either normal or safe mode, setup attempts to restart and the same message loop starts all over again.

What to do now?

kellyplus

 

Forgot to mention that I'm now posting from my wife's computer which is networked with mine by a router.

 

Followup: Removing the Reinstallation CD brings up a message:
"the file 'asms' on Windows XP Pro... is needed. Type the path where the file is located then click OK."

kellyplus

 

Insomniac,

I am back in business from the disaster of the attempted Install Repair. This is thanks to Dell's technical assistance, and a Symantic recovery program tucked away in a separate partition in my Dell Dimension 8400. This program restores the computer to its original factory settings. I have to reinstall my non-factory software applications, but there were no guarantees with the install repair, and I am much happier looking at a working computer than a Fatal Error.

For what it's worth, Dell told me that one sure problem with the attempted Install Repair was the factory-installed modem card # X2749. This particular card apparently creates problems in all types of Install/Resinstall Repair operations, and should be removed before proceeding with the Install Repair.

I opted to try the Symantic recovery option, in lieu of the failed install repair, and it gave me a computer in hand today, that I badly need for my work.

 

Insomniac,

I failed to thank you for your help. Also, please pass on my special thanks to chaslang whose assistance in removing Trojan malware made this step possible. My computer is running again in full form for the first time in nearly a month...all problems resolved...if I can only keep it that way.

You guys do a great service with your site and your forums...

kellyplus

 

I didn't really do much, but thank you.

And yes, Chaslang and the guys at the Spyware Forum do a great job, as does this site.

 

In case my last comment wasn't clear. "You guys" was meant to include both the Software and the Spyware Specific forums. I have logged a lot of time in both these forums, especially the last month, and both have been very helpful.

Regards,

kellyplus