Redjake

Hey guys,

Normally I can fix stuff like this very easily. But this one beats anything I've seen.

It's a coworker's personal computer. It's infected with spyware, adware, and viruses - all of this confirmed.

The issue is, the PC won't let me run anything! Whenever I double click on anything, it doesn't come up. It's in Task Manager, but won't show up. I've tried "ending process" and restarting the applications, but no go.

I need to run AVG, Ad-Aware, Spybot etc. but I can't!

Even worse, whenever I go online (and can get through the pop-ups), the browser (FF and IE) redirects to ads whenever I go to online scanner sites like Pandasoftware and stuff.

Tried booting into Safe Mode, no dice. Programs still won't run. Won't even run HijackThis.

Booted into selective startup/diagnostic startup (where all services and startup apps are disabled) and STILL can't run any applications.

Does anyone have any suggestions besides wiping? There is about 5 GB of iTunes songs and pictures I would have to backup if I format, and I really don't want to have to trudge around the DRM-fest with iTunes.

She has had the computer for 4 years but there are mysteriously on "restore points" for System Restore - says "no restore points available."

Tried creating new user account, no dice there either - can't run any applications or .exes.

Windows XP Home w/ SP3
Dell

Thanks everyone!

EDIT - when I say "applications won't run" I mean fixer-apps, such as Ad-Aware, Spybot, AVG, Hijack This, CWShredder, Malwarebytes, etc. Browsers will load, I can go through system files "My Computer" etc. Seems like only the programs that would get rid of the issue won't load.

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Off the record, on the q.t., and very hush-hush.