Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (
More info?)
Not really, it sounds as though you either have a virus or some form of
malware causing this. You should run a virus scan, possibly with more than
one AV Application and check for Malware, possibly with more than the Ad
Aware, www.lavasoftusa.com, application I originally recommended.
Some other things you can try:
The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.
Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.
If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:
Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you are
unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be
forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your
data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.
Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.
Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.
Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.
Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.
If none of the above works, you might be looking at a format and starting
over with a clean install.
--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"vms" <vms@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:CD07B352-CE84-433A-84D1-495F085B6DAF@microsoft.com...
> here's how I fixed it: in windows explorer I selected desktop;then
> highlighted the shortcuts I wanted gone, and deleted them. It worked
> great,...BUT somehow now my settings for my display keep disapearing. I
> tried restore, didn't work. can you help with this?
>
> "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" wrote:
>
>> First, be sure your antivirus software has the latest definitions and run
>> a
>> virus scan.
>>
>> Second, download, install and run Ad Aware:
>> www.lavasoftusa.com
>>
>> If this is a relatively recent issue, you might try using System Restore
>> to
>> take you back to a time when this worked properly. Start\All
>> Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore. If that doesn't
>> resolve
>> it, try the information below.
>>
>> The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD
>> or
>> restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.
>>
>> Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note,
>> there
>> is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your
>> XP
>> CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this
>> is
>> not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun.
>> Simply
>> minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue.
>>
>> If the above fails to resolve the issue, try a repair install as follows:
>>
>> Be sure you are well backed up in case there is a problem from which you
>> are
>> unable to recover. NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data
>> files intact, if something goes wrong during the repair install, you may
>> be
>> forced to start over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have
>> your
>> data backed up, you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.
>>
>> Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the
>> XP
>> CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
>> system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
>> instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when
>> you
>> see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
>> the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence.
>> Save
>> your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will
>> reboot.
>>
>> Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD,
>> it
>> should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if
>> you
>> wish to boot from the CD press any key.
>>
>> Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a
>> reference
>> asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
>> wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
>> setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.
>>
>> Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a
>> screen
>> with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
>> using the Recovery console.
>>
>> The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you
>> to
>> press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement.
>> Setup
>> will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
>> version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
>> install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
>> on, follow the screens.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>>
>> "vms" <vms@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:5C883FFC-3C32-41E3-A552-1592037A2A81@microsoft.com...
>> >I did try that, but it says it you won't lose programs you downloaded.
>> >I
>> > tried it twice, it didn't get rid of them.
>> >
>> > "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP)" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Try using System Restore to take you back to a time prior to when this
>> >> began, Start\All Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore.
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>> >> Windows Shell/User
>> >> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>> >> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>> >>
>> >> "vms" <vms@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:168C7533-4025-4950-B4FF-39CA5AAA3226@microsoft.com...
>> >> >I somehow unzipped a file to my desktop and now have 73 shortcuts. I
>> >> >have
>> >> > highlighted them and deleted, but they keep coming back even though
>> >> > I
>> >> > have
>> >> > removed all of the files. How do I get rid of them?
>> >> > --
>> >> > "You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help
>> >> > enough
>> >> > other people get what they want." -- Zig Ziglar
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>