PC locks up

[Acolin]

Despite Symantec virus detector and a local 4-port router, apparently I still got some sort of rare virus. Symantec knows it, but can’t fix it.

Reinstalling XP Pro did NOT solve the problem: PC hangs once it boots to the desktop (says it is missing some or has corrupted dll files). With Iomega Automatic Back-up running in the background, I should have a copy of all files, but what do you suggest now?

Can I press Escape to exit the boot from CD sequence and wipe the C hard drive?

 

[BlitzK]

If you don't care about the data on the drive, format it and do a complete new install of XP. You should be able to do this from the XP boot cd.

 

[boydx6]

When it gives you the error at startup, copy down the specific files that it says are corrupt. Them see if you can boot up in safe mode. If you can, search on your XP cd for those files that are corrupt. Then you can search your HD for those files and replace them.

If that doesn't work, do as BlitzK said and re-install XP after formatting the drive.
I hope this helps.
Stephen

 

[Eardison]

Agreed... Your dll files are probably compressed in a cab file on your XP CD. Your best bet is a clean install. Your system will run better anyway.

 

[tangwang]

So you can't get the pc running at all now? What specific info does symnatec give for the virus, and why does it say it can't fix the problem?




Matt

 

[mrferrit]

if you know the file corrupted then go to safe come and rename the file that contains the garbage and rename it and ti wont be able to find it to mess things up .
or format .
merry new years
and practice safe internet surfing
no porn for you
=)
J/K
lol

 

[Acolin]

Here are three files that say they are corrupted, the safe mode still hangs when I get to the desktop, the XP boot CD does NOT allow me to search the HD, neither does the PC when I get to the desktop, I have all data automatically copied to a mirror drive whenever a MY Document file changes, how do I format the HD from the boot CD?

 

[Grit]

The dlls may not be from XP. They may be from another application. Since your posting, I’m assuming you have another PC. Do a Google search on one of the names to find the source of the file. Most dlls are downloadable from sites like www.dll-downloads.com

But I agree with the other people, if you have a virus free backup, then format the drive and reinstall XP fresh. Formatting the HD is a selection in the XP install after you delete your partition.

 

[Acolin]

I am at work and I do have spare PCs at home, probably time to reformat the HD anyway, but I don't remember an option to delete the partition on the XP install CD...

 

[Tampa Aquarium Service]

Do you have more than 1 user account? If so does it still lock at each account. Try to log in under the administrator or owner account and if you then get in you will be able to get to the C: root tree and do your work-around. Best bet check your mirror drive on another computer, you mentioned you have a network router, can you access the mirror drive from another machine through your router. If the drive is internal on the bad computer, and your network is right you will only need to have the bad computer powered up not logged on. If you can check the mirror drive, and it's all good,just format the old drive and go with a fresh install. Best way to format your drive is with a $16 program called "Drive Wipe". you can get it at any store that sells software. It will do a Mil-Spec multiple pass wipe. Depending on how much stuff you have and how big the drive is it may take an hour or longer. Or if your drive is kind of old and small by todays standards you can just purchase a new larger drive and go from there. I bought a 250GB drive at Best-Buy for $99 a few months back. If you install a new drive you can reset the jumpers on the old drive and install it later as a slave if your system has another drive bay. This will allow you to access it and move anything you need off of it to the new drive. You can then do a format on it and keep it as an internal storage drive. Hope this helps!

 

[Grit]

You can format from the CD but it might only show up as an option after you choose to install a fresh/new copy of XP. If you do the install that tries to salvage your settings and application programs, I don’t think you will see the option to format.

 

[Eardison]

You are correct Grit. You only get the option once you choose to completely reinstall XP.. I have an old system that I reformat sometimes. I first reformat the drive using a floppy CD (yes, the system still has a floppy), then I insert the XP install CD and restart the computer. I get the prompt to remove/create a partition then.