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Other => Viruses and worms => Topic started by: CBecker on October 17, 2011, 08:49:53 PM

Title: Black desktop, visible task bar.. empty programs
Post by: CBecker on October 17, 2011, 08:49:53 PM
I'm not sure what to call what is going on, other than frustrating. We have a rebuilt computer, that has XP installed. When I start the computer, it will boot normally, but once it gets to the desktop, it's just black, with the taskbar visible. There are no programs showing. I can not right click on the desktop, to access anything. A few programs will prompt to start. (windows live messenger and a registry cleaner) Avast has request to to a bootscan, which I have allowed, several times. It repairs nothing. Can someone please help? I have photos on this machine, that I do not have backed up anywhere, and I know they are still there as when the virus protcetor is scanning, you can see it in the photos files. Please help... thanks.
Title: Re: Black desktop, visible task bar.. empty programs
Post by: essexboy on October 17, 2011, 09:05:48 PM
What was the initial symptom before this occured ?

Can you start taskmanager by using control+alt+delete

Can you burn a cd on another computer ?
Title: Re: Black desktop, visible task bar.. empty programs
Post by: CBecker on October 17, 2011, 09:39:29 PM
I'm not aware of any problem before this. My son turned the computer on, Saturday, and this was what we were met with. I can not access anything on the computer, other than what I stated. I can, start the computer in safe mode, via command prompt... but other than that... nada.
Title: Re: Black desktop, visible task bar.. empty programs
Post by: essexboy on October 17, 2011, 09:44:49 PM
Can you get to safe mode with networking to download and run an analysis programme ?

Download OTL (http://oldtimer.geekstogo.com/OTL.exe)  to your Desktop
netsvcs
%SYSTEMDRIVE%\*.exe
/md5start
explorer.exe
winlogon.exe
Userinit.exe
svchost.exe
/md5stop
C:\Windows\assembly\tmp\U\*.* /s
CREATERESTOREPOINT

Title: Re: Black desktop, visible task bar.. empty programs
Post by: CBecker on October 17, 2011, 09:51:59 PM
I guess I should havve been more specific... when I start the computer in safe mode, it all looks the same.... I can't access anything, no  matter...I can get to command prompt and enter commands there, but unsure as to what, if anything, I should do.
Title: Re: Black desktop, visible task bar.. empty programs
Post by: CBecker on October 17, 2011, 09:55:50 PM
this information may be useful.... Avast scanned it, and returned this informaiton....
File type: MBR:\\.\physical drive0
Rootkit: hidden boot sector
Title: Re: Black desktop, visible task bar.. empty programs
Post by: essexboy on October 17, 2011, 10:07:16 PM
OK I can fix that - Can you burn a cd using another computer ?  First I will clear the malware and then fix the MBR

OK next we will work outside of windows then Please print these instruction out so that you know what you are doing
Title: Re: Black desktop, visible task bar.. empty programs
Post by: CBecker on October 17, 2011, 10:26:50 PM
ok... let me get started.... I will let you know what happens. thank you.
Title: Re: Black desktop, visible task bar.. empty programs
Post by: essexboy on October 17, 2011, 10:32:20 PM
Once you get to the reatogo desktop you will notice a MBRfix icon - we will use that later  ;D
Title: Re: Black desktop, visible task bar.. empty programs
Post by: karmana on October 18, 2011, 11:51:05 PM
Essexboy,

You might want to also take a look at Grinler of Bleepingcomputer.com's home-made program unhide.exe.  It has been used in similar circumstances either before or after cleanup, when everything, including the Start menu programs, have been hidden.

Just Google search for those terms- you'll find it.

~Kar
Title: Re: Black desktop, visible task bar.. empty programs
Post by: essexboy on October 19, 2011, 07:37:47 PM
I do not think that unhide is needed here yet - the first thing to do is determine what the actual problem is.  The harddrive malware is fairly evident once you have it - but you are still able to run other programmes