Why hasn't SP3 been installed by now? How many other updates are missing?
There is a very good chance that you are seeing the effects of a hijackware
infection!
NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!
Microsoft PCSafety provides home users (only) with no-charge support in
dealing with malware infections such as viruses, spyware (including unwanted
software), and adware.
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&prid=7552&st=1
Also available via the Consumer Security Support home page:
https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/
Otherwise...
1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.
2a. WinXP => Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!)
in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm
2b. Vista or Win7=> Run this scan instead:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm
3. Now run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting requested logs
in an appropriate forum, not here. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!!
Checking for/Help with Hijackware:
•
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
•
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
•
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
•
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums.**
If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.
syule wrote:
> I have an HP running windows XP Pro with Service Pack 2.
>
> This may be aprtofa malware episode but I am not able to get far enough to
> find out for certain, every time I try to start an application I get the
> window popping up asking me to choose the program I want to use to open
> the
> file.
>
> The only applications that appear to work are explorer.exe and
> outlook.exe.
>
> Any suggestions would be appreciated.