Something nasty has stolen my administrator rights ...

[essexboy]

It looks as though the best would be a repair from reading the log.  Do you have a windows CD

[neutronflow]

i do, yes.

[essexboy]

There is a tutorial here on how to do a repair of xp http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/138-how-to-repair-windows-xp/  read through it first and if you have any questions then ask me before you start

[neutronflow]

Thanks for your support, having a look now 

[neutronflow]

Ok Mr essexboy

I guess this is a hour or two's work so i shall come back to it tomorrow with fresh, well, everything.

I think tomorrow pm will be my earliest opportunity, barring work commitments so i'll post back as soon as i've completed the repair and re-installed the updates.

Thanks my friend, have a good evening 

[neutronflow]

Hi there Mr essexboy

After cd boot I get the following:

'This computer is already in the process of being upgraded to Microsoft Windows. What do you want to do?

To continue the current upgrade,  press enter

To cancel the current upgrade and install new version of Microsoft Windows,  press F10

To exit setup without installing Microsoft Windows,  press F3'

Ok, to be clear on this, I've never attempted to do anything with this disc since I initially installed windows at least four years ago.
Should I opt to continue? Won't this wipe my data?

Or ...

Should I cancel 'upgrade' and install new? If I do choose this second option,  will windows repair or will I lose data?

I'm considering another option to get a new hdd, put the os on there, then wipe windows from the original once it is a slave. If I did this would I risk infecting the new drive?

Any thoughts much appreciated ...

[essexboy]

It seems as though an attempt was made to upgrade at some time and then cancelled

Using either option in my opinion stands a risk of you losing data

You can back up anything you wish to keep and re-install fresh

But the choice is yours as I do not believe the system in its current state is usable

[neutronflow]

I think then, that i'll start afresh with a new drive.

If i do this do you think there is any risk of contamination once the current one becomes a slave?

I intend first to save current settings, put in new drive as master, set old hdd to slave, install new windows, then wipe old windows.

Can i assume that wiping old windows will kill any nasties that i have in there?

Lastly if you don't mind, is my current security system adequate, as I don't understand where this threat came from?

I use Avast free, Zone Alarm free both always on. Advanced System Care Pro always on, and occasional scans with SAS free and MBAM free

Thanks

[essexboy]

I do not believe this to be an infection, my guess is that something went wrong with the uninstall and wrecked the system permissions

If no programmes are run from the slave you should be safe

[neutronflow]

Your time and efforts have been much appreciated.

Thanks a lot 

[essexboy]

Is all well now ?