Very Strange XP problems

[LoneRngr]

I have been running Windows XP home for quite awhile now. I do regular searches for spyware and adware, and I use McAfee VirusScan to block viruses. As such, I have a stable, well running PC. Until today. I was running fine, playing Matrix Online, and I exited the game and shut the system down normally. Then, about an hour later, I rebooted the PC, and now everything is screwed up. ICQ 2003, Yahoo Messenger, Windows Media Player 9, and the Steam Client will not load properly at windows startup. No sounds will play at all. System Restore will not run, and gives a Procedure call error. In fact, the tab for system restore is gone completely from System Properties. Plus, McAfee registers now by saying I have an older version of the software, but when I try to update, I am told I have the most updated version. Also, some programs, like the Matrix Online, will start and then crash back to the desktop with no error message now.

I was able to get System Restore back by re-installing SP1 (I was previously on SP2). I am not sure if any other programs are affected. I have run spyware and virus scans, and detected nothing. I have also tried running a repair on WinXP, but there was no change.

My question is, does anyone know what happened to cause all of this? Also, is there any way to repair Windows without having to format and reinstall everything?

Lonerngr

 

[stuuked]

I DONT KNOW WHAT HAPPENED BUT YOU CAN TRY TO FIX IT USING THE XP CD.

INSERT CD, TURN COMPUTER ON, WAIT TILL CD LOADS, when it asks you to pick an option, dont pick recovery console. pick set up windows xp hit enter, then next screen it will give you the option to repair it.

 

[markdmac]

First thing I would suggest is to reload XP SP2 to avoid any file regression problems.

That said, this sounds to me like a corrupt profile. While logged on right click My Computer. Choose Properties. Click Advanced. Click Settings under User Profiles.

Check the modified date of your profile and look for any labled Account Unknown. I'd like to suggest that you delete those, but you need to be careful doing so to ensure you don't delete your good profile and all user data.



I hope you find this post helpful. Please let me know if it was.

Regards,

Mark

 

[firewolfrl]

when I see issues like that the first thing I do is load the XP CD and go to the recovery console and Run:"chkdsk /r"

DON'T run it from the hard drive.

I would check the integrity of your harddrive.

see if the "event manager" has any system errors.

there is not much to go on in your post

 

[5jgibbs]

dude.. sounds like a viruse that takes effect after a restart.. because sometimes they like to edit system files before the computer is started.. or fully booted.. do a virus scan with the lattest deff...

but i would use norton.. also download hijack this.. and check that.. but watch out.. you can realy mess things up when your using hijack this.. good luck..

BTW.. back up your registry often.. because problems like this can be fixed with a simple reg restore.. *SOMETIMES*

 

[linney]

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

There is something called "bube" doing the rounds which you may have picked up, if so this may clean it from your system.

Microsoft (GIANT Antispyware) Beta available
Thread779-979113

Bube - a true baddie
thread760-1032203

As you have already tried a repair of XP and failed I suggest you look to saving what data you can and if the help you get here fails, consider a clean install and format, because you system sounds pretty sick and may never recover.