Windows Explorer and desktop disabled during bootup

[nickster]

Win XP

This started happening this morning. Regular bootup has been altered so that most of bootup will roll along then the taskbar disappears and my desktop becomes blank except for the cursor. I am in safe mode now. Last night bootup was fine.

I ran AVG in safe mode command line mode and it detected Trojan Horse "Generic10.AUvu" in 3 locations and moved them to the vault, but that didn't remove the problem.

If I select F11 recovery during bootup, it gives this message:

STOP: C0000218 {Registry file Failure}

Registry cannot load the hive {file}:

\SystemRoot\System32\Config\SECURITY

or its log or alternate

corrupt, absent, or not writable

I'm going to run A-squard, but I think it just looks for malware.

I should add that for the past couple weeks, even though the above mentioned problem just started this morning, I have gotten a "Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close" message sveral times a day. This message hasn't appeared during my bootup problem. I have attached screenshots of the "windows explorer needs to close" messages.

I am familiar with the Registry but dont want to go in to edit or recreate the key mentioned above.

The system area of event viewer shows many entries for Service Control Manager. Is there a way to see the full description of event viewer entries?

Thank you.

Nick Rabus

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

You are missing a whole registry hive, not just a key. Do a System Restore to the point before the failure.

[nickster]

You are missing a whole registry hive, not just a key. Do a System Restore to the point before the failure.

I restored to the only restore point I have and the problem is still existing. I can access email, the web, play most of my games (one won'tload because "cant' init direct X); speaker functionality is disabled and the option to set speaker volume and settings is disabled in Control Panel.

Is there a diagnostic tool that can analyze what starts up at boot.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

You mean Windows will actually start after this error message?

To analyze and configure your startup programs, use Startup Inspector.

[nickster]

You mean Windows will actually start after this error message?

To analyze and configure your startup programs, use Startup Inspector.

Regarding my previous reply, I can do those things in safe mode. During boot up, I don't get the message.

I am getting the message in safe mode

[nickster]

My PC is fine now; could habve been an electronic fluke, or a software conflict, or hardware thing (doubt that). I hadn't tried startup inspector yet. It could be that AVG picked something up and fixed it (during command line scan, which is the only scan it does in safe mode). I was using safe mode for about 1 wee, and decided to let it boot to normal mode to see what would happen, and hey hey, it's back.

For now, I'll put off researching the cause, but have Startup Inspector just ion case.

And of course, I have set a restore point!!

[MacOSXrocksToo]

whenever anything like this goes wrong, I first remove the viruses, then pop in my Windows Installation CD, and do a Repair after booting from it! Works Perfect!~ :D

[nickster]

whenever anything like this goes wrong, I first remove the viruses, then pop in my Windows Installation CD, and do a Repair after booting from it! Works Perfect!~ :D

I have moved since buying this PC, and don't have the installation CDs. I know, I know, a careless matter that could have big consequences. I could get a hard drive for backup.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

For now, I'll put off researching the cause, but have Startup Inspector just ion case.

"Having" Startup Inspector doesn't do anything for your computer. Use it to configure your startup items (use 'Consult' to get information on individual items); I have disabled about 50% of my original startup items, and my Windows system definitely runs better because of this.