Hello!

Our XP computer has had some serious problems. It seems it has been infected several time with various viruses and trojans. The computer was dropping 'made up' system files on the USB stick everytime you insert it.

We have done scans and removed whatever was found.

Now most recently, everyone once in awhile the computer freezes. The only thing you can do to get it moving (that we know of) is to force it to turn off.

Now many times when the computer is off, we can't boot it! It may begin the boot process and stop in the middle -- with a blank screen.
Or it may not even do that (yet the blue lights on the keyboard light up and we hear the computer trying to do something) -- but the screen stays blank.

After anywhere to 1/2 an hour to three hours of shutting the computer off and trying again. And perhaps holding down f1,f2,f3 with the enter key -- eventually the computer shows life. It will function properly for a few hours.

In safe mode it seems to do fine (but the computer is very limited what it can do in this mode).

Any ideas what we can do?

Thank you!

What is the make and model of the computer?

How old is it?

Do you have the system CD for it?

Is this a new problem?

Originally Posted by jephree

What is the make and model of the computer?

How old is it?

Do you have the system CD for it?

Is this a new problem?

The computer is an HP - dv - 9208 nr (laptop)

It is a few years old.

It actually came with Vista. But we needed to switch it to XP so we could run a particular program on the computer. I think the technician who switched it used the CD's from my Dell computer.

For a couple of years the computer ran nicely -- till the viruses came.

For a long time now, 'System Restore' doesn't work. Nor does the computer do any searches!

Turning off and not turning on is a new problem.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Avrohom

Well if it was installed from the Dell CD you could try a Repair Install from the same CD.

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install

That's helpful advice. I was considering using the CD's to repartition, etc. and to start the computer from scratch.

Your repair option would be less drastic and less loss of files.

So I understand from the article you have referred me to:

First I need to:
Manually delete the Undo_guimode.txt file

and also:
as a precaution the windows\system32\WPA.DBL and WPA.BAK should be copied to a floppy

Is this correct?

I have never had an issue running a Repair Install. Your Programs and data should not be affected.

You will need to reload all Service Packs that are not on the CD.

However if you have critical data you should follow Mr. Stevens suggestions as to backups.


That being said after you boot the XP CD and DO NOT choose the first "R" Recovery Console but choose "Setup/Install Windows" you will get another "R" for "Repair existing version".

From there out just follow the prompts.

Afterwards all should be as was with the exception of the need to reinstall Windows Updates and Service Packs which were not on the CD.

I put in the CD.

The computer prompts: to boot from CD - press any key.

Now whether I press a key or don't - the computer seems to proceed and just boot from the CD!


Could this be a temporary fix: just to always boot from the CD?

Not sure I totally follow but if it boots from the CD it should start Windows Setup/Installation.

It should not start Windows.

The computer says:

"to boot from CD, press any key"


and then (whether I press any key or not) it proceeds to do Windows

Not sure if this is an issue regarding the HP/Dell complication.

Are you using a Dell CD? Does the HP offer a Boot Menu option?