Help! XP not loading virus Q's Presario

Helping a co-worker..

Compaq Presario v2000. powers up,-starts at the select startup mode- safe mode,normal, last known good conf, ect... XP just loads to blank destop background picture, no icons or toolbar.....Safe mode loads to safe mode written across top but again no icons or toolbar.

Ran Avira boot disc/scanner but it couldnt clean.

Q?- Can I buy a 2.5" HD USB encloser off Ebay, plug into my desktop pc to run Nortons 360 or House Call on-line scanner???

Cannot locate system restore discs....

Any other suggestions????

Thanks- Mike

 

Short answer, yes; you should be able to stick the affected hdd into an external enclosure and clean it that way.

 

you may also try a simplier solution first - try if you can run explorer (all icons, taskbar, ...) manually:
after windows gets loaded, press left Ctrl+Shift+Esc, task manager will show up. launch a new task "explorer.exe" (without quotes). now you should see all icons, taskbar, systray etc, and should be able to scan the system without taking the hdd somewhere else.

you may also try some rootkit scan just in case that the infection is hidden by rootkit; i don't know if avira has this feature, in case that not, you can try rootkit revealer (which can find them but not remove) or gmer (both finds & removes rootkits).

if it won't work... e-bay then.

 

cant get anywhere after it loads to blank desktop. It seems to lock up and must hold power button until it turns back off.......

Thanks though
-mike

 

Is there a way to reinstall using a plain XP Home install disc and not Compaq's restore disc? Will my key work for activation????

 

Afaik, a OEM disk will not accept an XP retail version key.
It might install but you'll probably end up with a 30-day trial kit because of activation troubles.