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Administrative Tools missing

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by joegrosskopf

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I have a computer with several problems:

1.) It is randomly getting stop errors
2.) Some programs crash upon running
3.) The administrative tools folder is blank
4.) The virus protection shield is missing from the taskbar
5.) I can not update the virus definitions

I'm sure this computer has a virus but I do not know which one. I have searched Symantec and Google and can not find any similar descriptions of viruses. Does anyone know of these problems that they have seen before?

4 replies

by bfilmfan

My advice would be to scan that system with an anti-virus boot disk and also scan for malware/spyware/crapware causing problems.

If you don't find any viri or malware, I'd check the event log to see what errrors are beign reported.

In the event all else fails, do an in-place recovery of the OS.

by joegrosskopf

I have never done an in-place recovery of XP. Does it remove all the applications? I'd like to avoid re-installing those if possible.

by caestelle

It definitely sounds like that computer has a virus, but I am not sure what one. I boot the computer into safe mode and run a program like Stinger(a free standalone virus scanner from McAfee). I would run it atleast two times with reboots in between. This will get you started on the cleanup.
If it does come down to you needing to do an in place upgrade, it will not remove any applications...however, it will revert Windows back to where you will have to install all updates/sps again.

Here is a link where Stinger can be downloaded:
http://download.nai.com/products/mcafee-avert/stinger.exe

I hope this helps!!!

by pierrejamme

You do most likely have a virus. If this is XP Home you probably also have hosed security (XP Pro has a Security Restore Tool) and if that is the case you will need to format and re-install.
first though try this:
Two good programs to use if your Windows Virus Scanner is compromised is either NOD32 for DOS trial at:
http://www.nod32.com/download/trial.htm
Or Mcafee's Stinger at:
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
Turn off system Restore before proceedingif you have XP or Millenium.
Report back what out found so we can continue.

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