Laptop in Safe Mode ! ! !

[Tysonator]

Hi,
My daughter has a Packard Bell Laptop running XP Pro SP2.
The problem was the Laptop had a ‘Temp2.exe’ virus on it.
When I tried to go in to MSCONFIG the Laptop would shut down on me.
So it seems the Virus was protecting its self

I did manage to removed with PRT utilities file

I went in MSCOFIG which did not shut down on me this time and I un ticked all the applications she had on start up, i.e. iTunes, slysoft, Google Tool bar etc .

Any way in BOOT.INI tab of MSCONFIG I ticked the boot in safe mode to check that the Virus was gone completely in the directories.

Now the Laptop keeps booting up in safe mode and I can not get in MSCONFIG. Every time I go to, RUN, MSCONFIG the window appears for about half second then performs a restart !

Any ideas please ! :(

[Mark]

You'll have to manually edit BOOT.INI and remove the relevant safe mode options (/safeboot is the main one but there are others). Be careful - use Notepad and make absolutely sure you're doing it right or you'll stuff the system completely.

This article shows all the safe boot options you need to look for, and an example showing where to look:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/239780

[Tysonator]

I have tried to manual change the Boot.ini file, also I have tried to access the Reg edit vis the RUN command and the Laptop goes into a restart !
Also I load a CD or USB stick into the Laptop which detects it, however I can not explore the contents or the CD or the USB stick. Also in Windows Explorer the on the Menu bar, Tools, Folder Option is missing ! ! !

This whole situation smells like a Virus ! ! ! !
The only thing I can thing is to use some patch cable and plug it into my PC and try and run a remote virus scan.
Failing thatI will have to take it to PC world for the to fix.

[Mark]

Time for an OS reinstall I'm afraid. Hope there are backups. :(

[Tysonator]

I mana to get a get a ERD Windows Boot Disk. Once boot up I went into the root directory of the Laptop, ie C: and opened Boot.ini file.
I then deleted the Safemode text and saved the file.
Restarted the Laptop and everything is back to how it was.
phew !
So now I can get on a wireless net work in an inter cafe and down load items like Windows defender AVG anti virus etc.