Windows starts up and everything is blank!

Hello lanrookie,

Did you try to login in safe mode ? Is it succesfull ?


Regards,
Raj

looks like a bad video driver

So you want to say that you are able to open task manager... if yes, then in task manager select the applications tab > then click on New task button > in the next dialog box type explorer.exe and press enter. If you are able to see the icons and start button then try running System file checker, to do so go to Start > Run > type 'sfc /scannow'. If that doesn't help then try doing system restore. Try this.

If no luck, then try logging in to the safe mode, if you are able to login to safe mode then go to Start > Run > type 'sfc /scannow'. If that doesn't help then try doing system restore.

If no luck then the last option will be to repair the OS.

Sounds like malware to me.. If you can boot into safe mode you have a few things you can try..

Run a hijackthis report and post it up for review.

Download and run www.malwarebytes.org scan and post the report.

Do a system restore back to a check point when the system was working then do the two above.

If you can't get a desktop in safe mode then let us know and we got some other things to try.

I am able to select new task but explorere.exe "could not be found".  However it did let me browse my files if I chose browse.  

Try 'explorer.exe'

I did.  That was a typing error just now.  I am going to try to start it in safe mode.

If the file is indeed missing, then restore it from the i386 folder as follows:

Boot from an XP CD to the recovery console.

once there, execute the following:

expand c:\i386\explorer.ex_ c:\windows\explorer.exe

reboot

This also could be caused by a smitfraud variation.  goolgle for smitfraudfix and follow the steps for it.  I am sure it is listed on malwarebytes as well.

I started in Safe Mode with the same blank desktop.  I am currently running 'sfc /scannow' as directed.

Just try this... if no luck then the best option will be to repair the OS.

Did you try Last Known Good Configuration???

scf / scannow ran and didnt give me any messages saying it fixed anything or that anything was wrong.  Should I run the system repair from the windows disc next?

I just ran "last known good configuration" and it started up with a blank screen again.  Just the same.

Did you try expanding the file to replace it?

I expanded explorer.exe  - it asked if I wanted to overwrite the current file.  I said yes.  I rebooted.  Same thing happens.  Whats next?

If you have access to a working system that has a CD burner, do the following before trying to do a full repair install:

Download the Microsoft Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset (formerly known as ERD Commander).
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5D600369-0554-4595-8AB4-C34B2860E087&displaylang=en

Download it. Run it. It will create an ISO file. Burn the iso file to a CD. Boot the CD. You will boot into a windows environment. From there, you have access to a great many tools, such as system restore, checking the drive, and much more. I would try doing a restore first.

If you need an image burning program, the following one linked below is great, free, and simple to use.

oops... forgot the link..

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/ImgBurn/1128426215/1

I was able to run a restore fron the task manager by browsing to it.  It acted like it worked.  But then it starts up the same.

I am also able to open word etc by browsing through the task manager.  Does that info mean anything?  My explorer.exe file seems to be missing.  Is this my problem?

You said if you browse to the explorer.exe file and try to run it, nothing happens?

I cannot find the explorer.exe file.  I tried to execute it from "Run" and it sais it cannot find it.  I went to the path I think its supposed to be at and its not there.  What is the path?

I seem to have the tools I need already.  I think I can run msconfig and reedit already.

the correct path for explorer.exe is:

c:\windows\explorer.exe

I regedit.  I can run it and msconfig already.  Do I still need the toolkit?

no.. run regedit and delete the two registry entries I listed. exit out and reboot.

If still no go, then browse to the explorer.exe file and rename it to zexplorer.exe
run regedit again and go to this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
Double-click on shell in the right pane.
In the left pane, change Explorer.exe to zexplorer.exe
exit and reboot.

btw... if this works and you can not run iexplore for the internet, then browse to it and change the name the same way, to ziexplore.exe. Place a shortcut to it on your desktop to run it easier. Now, go online and get some good antivirus and run it.

I can find the first entry in regedit "explorer.exe" but not the second "iexplorer.exe"

Should I delete the one?

DO you think this is the result of a virus?

Yes.. delete the explorer.exe key.

There is a good chance it was caused by a virus...  let's see what happens when you delete the key. IF no joy, follow my last instructions to rename.

btw.. internet explorer is iexplore.exe and is in the following location:

c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe

just a note... heading home... will be back on a little later..

good luck!

The best solution will be to repair the OS. Try it out.

Removing the registry keys worked!