windows XP system malfunction

[skris35]

So I'm not sure where to begin so... First I am using windows XP with SP3. My computer restarts, shuts down, and goes into safe mode, only it doesnt boot all the way up for about 10 minutes (most of the time I have to go into the Task manager, tell it to do a run command, then hit browse, then go to my computer and explore to even get the message up or anything else for that matter), and then it displays this error msg: "Windows cannot find '\e,/idlist,:1036:3724,C:\'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the start button, and then click search."

Heres what it wont do: Won't bring up these windows: Add or remove programs, system info, msconfig prompt, or uninstall programs that I think are problems, and god knows what else. A weird new tool bar in Firefox, that Im not sure where it came from but it wont let me uninstall it. and When I say it wont let me install it or bring up windows, it means I dbl clicked on it and nothing happened. I have Norton Internet security that didn't find anything wrong, and also adware didnt find anything wrong. So Im at a loss. I want whatever programs are doing this gone but it wont let me remove them. The last thing I installed was a .gif to .avi converter for it. Thats the program that wont uninstall. Is there a way to repair this without losing everyting? Also I tried to use system restore, and it failed (of course, because why would something actually WORK!).

[Digerati]

If you can boot into safe mode, I would go into System Restore and restore back to before this happened.

If you Google \e,/idlist youi will find several hits with others having similar errors. Some suggest you look in your msconfig for any incomplete entries. You might try that too.

[MANEMAN]

He cant get system restore to work, and msconfig wont open Digerati. :( (Bummer)

Could well be a virus or trojan in there.

Scan with Malwarebytes in Safe Mode,cleanup with ccleaner, do a defrag, Run Chkdsk/f

And you can try this little free tool for some of the non-working programs:

/>http://leelusoft.blogspot.com/2009/10/xp-quick-fix-plus.html

Plus look at, and read through this article well. The downloads are worth having :

/>http://www.technibble.com/xp_fileassoc-bat-xp_exe_fix-reg-repair-tool-of-the-week/

Download and drop this in program files or the root of C:, it will allow you to uninstall in Safe Mode.

/>http://techtrickz.com/system-tweaking/safemsi-exe-enables-program-uninstall-option-in-windows-safe-mode/

Be prepared for the fact that it may well be time when you just have to do a clean install of XP.

John. :)

[bludgard]

Certainly sounds like a case of the boogieman to me.

I know you said that you could't open Task Manager,but as soon as you see the Task Bar coming out of boot,right-click on it and try to bring up TM.Don't wait for everything to load.If you can get Task Manager open before the boogieman wakes up,you should be able to look around for suspicious services and/or processes.Then track him to his cave and slay him.

It's worth a try.It has worked for me in fhe past.

A clean install is always nice.B)

[-pops-]

There should be a point in all investigations of malfunctions of a computer where you say to yourself "Enough is enough" and proceed to reinstall the system from your backup.

Doing it this way avoids all heartsinking, apoplexy, high blood pressure, hair pulling and all the other expressions of abject frustration.

I think that point has been reached here but I fully expect to be told there is no backup.

[andsome]

There should be a point in all investigations of malfunctions of a computer where you say to yourself "Enough is enough" and proceed to reinstall the system from your backup.

Doing it this way avoids all heartsinking, apoplexy, high blood pressure, hair pulling and all the other expressions of abject frustration.

I think that point has been reached here but I fully expect to be told there is no backup.

Following up on what pops has said, having reinstalled Windows, get a large USB plug in hard drive and make regular mirror images in ACRONIS or similar. This problem will not then reoccur.:lol:

[MANEMAN]

And there you have it.............

Our fast response team of Windows "Experts" have come up with a variety of fixes for you, from virus/malware removal, through to getting your computer back to a new and shiny state by means of a disk image which you probably didn't make in the first place, - for reasons only known to your goodself.

You have learned how to trap Mr.Msconfig before the boogieman gets him, and been given links to useful software which will always come in handy for future events should non of the advice given by the experts fail to fix the problems of your computer.

Throughout all of this learning curve it is as well to remind yourself that "The Titanic" was built by "Experts." - And it sank !!!!

get a large USB plug

" Pleese Massa, I cant find a big USB plug, will you borrow me one for a couple of hours ?"

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skris35

We enjoy a certain amount of humour and banter on the forum here. Dont be put off. ;)

Carry out some of the operations stated in the more sensible parts of the posts and come back and tell us how you are getting on.

John. :)