XP System Error Messages & Installation Problems

I've been working several hours on a Windows XP notebook computer with multiple system error messages an problems installing or running many of the Read Me listed test programs.

Windows XP Professional v5.1 (Build 2600.XPSP_SP2_GDR.050301-1519)

CCleaner installed ok and cleaned 225MB (safe mode)

Ad-Aware SE installed and the scan was clean (safe mode)

SpyBot S&D had installation problems several times. The primary message was that the "Application changed since it was created" and suggested malware checks. I was able to get one good run with the following detected and fixed: Avenue A, Double Click, HitBox, MediaPlex.

MS Defender installation failed with a product.cab error message. Several downloads and installations were tried.

MS Malicious Removal Tool would not run. There were "File is corrupt" error messages for several download and run tries.

CWShreader ran and was clean

Look2me ran and was clean

McAfee was once installed on this system but has been uninstalled. I attempted to install AVG Free to do a scan but installation failed with a "Some installation files are corrupt" error message. This same error happens with a file downloaded directly and a file downloaded to another system and transferred with a USB thumb drive.

Attempted Bitdefender and after approximatey 20 minutes of scan with MS Explorer, a "Generic Host Process for Win32 Services has encountered a problem and needs to close" error message was received.

This same "xxx encountered a problem ..." message is received for MS Explorer, Windows Automatic Updates, SpyBot S&D, Firefox, on a regular basis.

Chkdsk automatically runs on some ... but not all ... of the reboots following one of these messages.

I honestly cannot tell if there is a problem with malware, Windows system files, or computer hardware. Attached is a HiJack This log file, if you would be kind enough to check for the malware possibility. Also, any other suggestions would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

 

Follow up ... Just tried another Bitdefender scan. After 56 minutes of scanning and 44,590 of 50,625 files scanned there was a system error that Internet Explorer has encountered and problem and needs to close. I was able to check the details and at that point there were no detections. The scan did not go to completion and there is no scan log.

 

Thanks for the response.

Actually, I was finally able to run a complete PandaActiveScan late last night and it was clear. No malware detected. Since the scan was clean and did not produce a log, I did not post a new HiJackThis log after the Panda scan.

Your analysis pretty much fits my guess ... Windows system problems rather than malware. This was confirmed this morning. After a couple of restarts, Windows did not boot and the following error message appeared.

The only next move is to attempt a Windows repair.

Again, your comments are most appreciated. We'll just have to see how the repair goes. Any specific hints in that area would be welcome. When (if) I get it back up and running, I'll check on the two specific items you listed.

 

Thanks. Yes, I clearly understand this is a Malware Removal forum. My original post was to request your assistance in defining or eliminating Malware as a source for the computer problems. Based on your review and my observation, Malware does not seem to be the problem.

Your links to additional information sources is appreciated.