invected2010

Thank you, Maurice, for your suggestions.. I will consider the clean install which will take some time to gather all resources, and consider this problem closed,

Further research on my computer found that no .exe files will run. Internet troubleshooting turned up this problem as related to a virus (Windows XP Security?) that attacks the Registry. The solution seems to be editing the Registry. Awaiting your thoughts and suggestions. Thank you.

The logical drive which contains the FRST.EXE file is stored (saved) on DRIVE D. I determined the FRST file is on this drive by changing directory to D: from C: and listing the directory contents. FRST.EXE is the only file on DRIVE D. I understand FRST is an executable file with the extension EXE. The error message says this is not a system command. whether I type the file name or the file name and extension. I recreated the steps for the FRST file. This time I used a larger portable hard drive to save the FRST file instead of the flash drive. I followed the Recovery disk steps and used map to identify the logical USB port DRIVE D. I received the same command not found message when typing D:>FRST or D:>FRST.exe. Maybe I'm having a problem creating the FRST file? What is its size? Thank you for your help.

LOL!! I did, Maurice. Selecting HELP to list the system commands shows there is no EXE

Drive D: should read --- D: FAT16 480MB \Device\Harddisk1\Partition1 Thanks

Here's the "map' output: C:Widows>map ? FAT16 55MB \Device\Harddisk0\Partition1 C: NTFS 34648MB \Device\Harddisk0\Partition2 F: FAT32 3444MB \Device\Harddisk0\Partition3 D: FAT16 480MB \Device\Harddisk0\Partition1 E: \Device\CDRom0 I physically opened D: and confirmed the FRST.exe file is on this drive.

I confimed the USB dirve is letter "D". The problem appears to be that the dos command, "exe", is not on the command list for this computer?

Problem, Maurice: Following the instructions, everything goes well until I get to the USB drive and execution of the FRST file. After identifying the USB drive, I changed the command line, my computer prompt looks llike this D:\>. I typed FRST.exe at the command line. pressed enter key, and received "The command is not recognized. Go to Help...." I also tried typing FRST without the exe and received the same error message. I confirmed the FRST.exe file is on the drive. There is only one attribute, 'a', associated with the file. Did I miss something? Thank you.

Thank you, Maurice! Working on instructions and will post back.

Thank you, Maurice, for you further assistance! I created the CD as instructed, and the clean PC has a USB port.

Maurice - Finally, I had some time to work on this problem! Unfortunately, the computer came preloaded without the installation disk, but I was able to follow your alternate suggestion to use F8, Advanced Boot Options, and select Safe Mode with Networking. While Windows loads correctly, the same "Welcome screen with Users List" screen for logon appears. I selected Administrator as well as my name,. and the same logon/logoff loop continues. Is there anyway to get to DOS and, perhaps, edit the Registry? Infected2010 desperately looking for a way out of this!!

Thank you, Maurice, for your response. I'm working through your instructions and will post back as soon as possible. infected2010

PC HELP FORUM I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop running Windows XP SP3 and encountered the above problem after a previous system restore. Windows initiates fine, the Welcome screen displays and, instead of going to my desktop, the user logon screen comes up. When I select the user name to logon, I get the Windows logon, logoff 'music', the system indicates 'saving my personal settings', and the only option I have is to shut down. CTL-ALT-DEL displays a logon screen, but when I logon from here I return to the user screen, and the loop continues. I'm not certain if this is a virus or a system problem with my user profiles.. **** GENERAL MALWAREBYTES ANTIVIRUS FORUM I was directed here from the PC HELP Forum. Since I am unable to logon to my computer, I can't follow the general directions under Option 1. Thank you. **** Hi, invected2010: I think you're still not quite in the right place for your problem. It looks as if AdvancedSetup suggested having a malware expert check your system. That's done over >>HERE<< in the Malware Removal Section. Before you post there, please try to follow as many of the steps as you can in this sticky topic >>HERE<<. If the system is too crippled, just do the best you can and start a post in the malware removal section anyway. It might be helpful if you reference your original topic when you start your new post. The link for your original topic is here: http://forums.malwar...howtopic=118580 Thanks, daledoc1 *** Thank you, daledoc1, for your fast response! I am unable to access Windows with this logon issue. Therefore, I cannot follow the initial instructions for malware issues. I suppose my system is "too crippled' at this point. Further, I am posting my problem to the Malware Removal Section as suggested and moving forward ... *** MALWARE REMOVAL - HIJACKTHIS LOGS FORUM Can you help? Thank you.

Thank you, daledoc1, for your fast response! I am unable to access Windows with this logon issue. Therefore, I cannot follow the initial instructions for malware issues. I suppose my system is "too crippled' at this point. Further, I am posting my problem to the Malware Removal Section as suggested and moving forward ...

I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 laptop running Windows XP SP3 and encountered the above problem after a previous system restore. Windows initiates fine, the Welcome screen displays and, instead of going to my desktop, the user logon screen comes up. When I select the user name to logon, I get the Windows logon, logoff 'music', the system indicates 'saving my personal settings', and the only option I have is to shut down. CTL-ALT-DEL displays a logon screen, but when I logon from here I return to the user screen, and the loop continues. I'm not certain if this is a virus or a system problem with my user profiles.. ---- I was directed here from the PC HELP Forum. Since I am unable to logon to my computer, I can't follow the general directions under Option 1. Thank you.