Missing Taskbar Safe mode XP Home

[The PIT]

A machine so heavily infected with spyware that even the spyware couldn't run properly.
Orginally couldn't even turn off system restore it was that bad.

As far as I can tell it's clean.

I've run Escan anti Virus on it now says clean
I've run Mcafee eight on it and it now says it's clean
I've run Etrust Pets Control and thats now says it clean
I've run Spybot Ad-aware Spyware Doctor Webroot and another antispyware programme and they all now says it clean.
Hijack this is clean.
Tried SP2 over the top and still haven't got a taskbar in safe mode.

I suspect something else is hiding but dunno what else to throw at it??? Nothing shows in process's or startup. The only thing I haven't done is run a rootkit checker.

Any ideas??

[lowlifecat]

option 1: try turning off system restore and re-do all those scans.

Option 2: re-format everything

Option 3: Sledgehammer!

[schmosef]

I don't understand. What's the current problem?

[schmosef]

If the infestation is cleared by you're still having trouble with the gui then I suggest checking out this page: Registry Edits for Windows XP

I've used it before to fix odd UI glitches.

[The PIT]

option 1: try turning off system restore and re-do all those scans.

Option 2: re-format everything

Option 3: Sledgehammer!

I zapped system restore to make sure it was empty during cleaning.

Reformating isn't an option as it's a Student machine.

Option 3 is nice would I get away with it.

[The PIT]

See Title

Missing Taskbar in safe mode.


I still suspect theres a nasty lurking on the machine but what I don't know.

Just remembered another problem cut and paste doesn't work in safe mode either.

[schmosef]

Well that site I linked has a few registry patches for fixing various taskbar issues and I think that there's even one for restoring the taskbar to default functionality.

[ZokesPro]

What about a repair?

[The PIT]

Well that site I linked has a few registry patches for fixing various taskbar issues and I think that there's even one for restoring the taskbar to default functionality.

Doesn't explian why it works in normal mode though.

[schmosef]

well... if it IS registry related it's possible that safe mode is loading a different "safe" version of that part of the registry, which happens to be corrupt.

btw, i like zokes suggestion.

[Byock]

1) System restore
2) Repair
3) Sledgehammer.

[Marshmallowman]

You probably want to try the other fixs first, but you could try creating a new user profile,

[The PIT]

In the end I had do a repair. A work collegue had a copy of XP home that allows you to use any activation code. Since it was sp1 CD had to re-install SP2 and all the other updates but that fixed the safe mode problem.

Looks to me like a new variant of a virus as theres another infected machine with the same virus files and after cleaning the machine is similarly messed up. Sadly my collegue didn't pull the virus files off for submission.

[Claymonkey]

yeah I'd HIGHLY recommend a sfc /scannow. You will however need either the 386 folder on the drive or the XP cd used during install. If this was upgraded to SP2 after the fact you MIGHT have to reinstall that as well. blecha. I hate spyware. VIVA LA FIREFOX!!!! Seriously since I stopped using IE I rarely see it on my systems.

[The PIT]

yeah I'd HIGHLY recommend a sfc /scannow. You will however need either the 386 folder on the drive or the XP cd used during install. If this was upgraded to SP2 after the fact you MIGHT have to reinstall that as well. blecha. I hate spyware. VIVA LA FIREFOX!!!! Seriously since I stopped using IE I rarely see it on my systems.

SFC didn't find anything wrong either.

Too be honest most of the time it's quicker to re-install then bugger about fixing it.