Program Files is not accessible (XP)

I have Windows XP Pro and tried to load a new antivirus, which looks like it installs but the desktop link always goes into "search" mode and doesn't find the link. I tried to go to my Program Files folder but it says it is not accessible and "Access is Denied". I'm assuming this is a virus or malware but I'm stuck. Any ideas? / thanks Mark

 

A little clarification. You tried to install/have installed a new AV? Which one? Did you previously have one installed? If so, did you uninstall the old one before installing the new one? are you sure it installed properly? and are you the admin on the account? Do any other people use your pc?

Look in add/remove programs in the control panel and see if the program is listed in there. If you are denied access the control panel then either you aren't the admin or there is a possibility of malware present. There is also a possibility that its simply just installed wrong or you don't have the correct admin privileges.

Depending on your answers you may want to follow the Read and Run Me and create a new post in the malware section of this forum with the results of all the tests.

 

My old anitvirus account ran out. I deinstalled it and I decided to load Bitdefender but it would not run (as I described). I even worked with the Bitdefender helpdesk but they could not get it to work either. I am the admin on the account, my wife also uses it occasionally (she's an admin as well).

I feel strongly that I have a malware but can't get anything loaded to help debug. Iwas going through the Read & Run procedure but the Super Anti Spyware would not run (the same way as Bitdefender and everything else I've tried to load).

 

Where you able to locate it in the control panel? Have you tried any of this in safe mode? Have you gotten any programs from the read and run me to work?

If you have, its best to post in the malware forum the results you do have. Those guys over there are geniuses and can fix just about any malware created problem.

 

Bitdefender did not show up in "Add or Remove Programs" but it was under "Start - All Programs". If I tried to run it or repair it, the "browse for bdagent.exe" message came popped up and never found the program. CC cleaner worked, but I stopped after the Super Anti-Spyware wouldn't run.

 

More - Safe mode wouldn't let me load programs. Should I take this over to the malware forum?

 

Yes, I think you need to go to the virus docs.

You may have to download and run those tools from a flash drive, but you'll get instructions there.

Good Luck!!!:wave

 

My old anitvirus was Norton - I went to their website and used an uninstaller that removed that version plus left-over versions dating back to 2005. I tried to run antivirus and anti malware programs from a flashdrive and it seemed like they ran Ok but this didn't resolve loading new programs (spybot, bitdefender, and the anti-malware) from the downloads. I also still cannot see my Program Files folder. It still says "Access denied". there's still something there.

 

Perhaps Windows Security Centre thinks you still have Norton security software installed.

If so then POSSIBLY you could try
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=210014

Alan