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NESTIAMFlag for United States of America

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Active Desktop Recovery error

I have Windows XP Home Version (Service Pack 3).  Several trojan virus and adware (XP Antivirus) infected my computer.  I believe they have now been removed by Symantec virus protection and Lavasoft Ad-ware removal.  However, a lingering affect of the infection leaves my desktop inactive with a Active Recovery Desktop showing.  Whenever, I try to activate the button to restore the Desktop a script error message occurs.

I have tried the following solutions without success:

Open an explorer window.
Go to tools > folder options > view, and uncheck hide protected opsys files.
Apply and ok.
Then do a search in your sys drive [usually c: ] for desktop.htt. It will be in Docs and Settings\User\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer.
Delete them [One or more].
Close the explorer window, re-click your desktop and click Refresh.
Make sure to then go back and RECHECK that box for view, and uncheck hide protected opsys files.. you really dont want those special files exposed all the time!

and

Change in registry following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\SafeMode\Components
Change the value of DeskHtmlVersion to zero instead of decimal 272.

Any other suggestions.  I will not be able to reply till tomorrow.  Thanks
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orangutang

it seems you're not finished with the malware. i woul recommend using spyware doctor. i've managed to always get a computer clean with it.
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ASKER

Sage: I have attempted to go to the linked site, Internet Explorer will not find that site.  However, if I use my laptop the link works fine.  Internet Explorer will not allow me to go to any Microsoft Help or Knowledge base article site.  If I Google anything to try and find an article about Active Desktop Script Errors, it will take me to an unrelated site.  

Another problem when I right click on the Desktop and select Properties, my properties box opens and I no longer have a Desktop tab.  

I have tried recreating the Desktop.htt, although I can recreate it the problem persists.  
How about Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php)?
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php)
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ASKER

Won't let me through, all I get is:

"Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage
   
   Most likely causes:
You are not connected to the Internet.
The website is encountering problems.
There might be a typing error in the address.
 
   What you can try:
     Diagnose Connection Problems  
 
     More information "
 
Same message for any page that might help me.  However, it does allow me to come to this
website.
So, you can't connect to the internet at all? Can you download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware on another computer, put it on a CD, and run it on that computer?
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ASKER

OK, I've read some of the other Expert_Exchange (previous articles) and re-attempted:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\SafeMode\Components
Change the value of DeskHtmlVersion to zero instead of decimal 272.

Restarting the computer after changing the value allowed my desktop to return.  Another article lead me to a site with a Registry download  to replace the Destop tab on my Properites Window.  So, I now have control of the Desktop Background.  I think that I'm prety much back to normal but will have to monitor it over the next couple days.
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orangutang

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ASKER

Yes, I did initially try the registry change.  But it only works if you RESTART the computer and then select the Restore Desktop button.  

Apparently, this is a bigger virus problem than I thought.  After several scans I removed 10 to 15 more Trojan virus.  The computer is basically back to normal but it seems to be a magnet for virus.  The Symantec Auto-Protect feature has activated twice to intercept virus.  I have scheduled daily scans to try and control the damage and activated the Windows Firewall.