Expert: Brian Benosky - 5/5/2010

Question
QUESTION: I followed your instruction to 'Image file execution options.'  I didn't have explorer.exe in the drop down list.

Thanks for your help!
Shelley

ANSWER: Hi Shelley

Do you have your original Windows CD?
What Anti-Virus program do you use?
Do you have a registry cleaner installed, such as CCleaner?

There are a few options that I am considering for you.  The first is running the registry cleaner.  If you do not have one, you can download CCleaner to a thumb drive and run it from there:
http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/builds
The second option is to start your AV program and restore the offending files from the quarantine.  This will release whatever virus you had, but will restore the desktop.  Then we can remove the virus properly.  You will need to launch the AV program from the Task Manager.
Finally, we can try to restore the file using the command in the Run (New Task):
sfc /scannow
This command scans and replaces corrupt system files, but you will need the original Windows CD, if it came with your computer.  If scannow does not work, a complete re-install will be the last option.

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I ran the cleaner.  Not sure what to do next.

Thanks,
Shelley

ANSWER: Hi Shelley

Try opening explorer.exe again with Task Manager.  I will keep my fingers crossed!

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm sorry.  Explorer.exe is not there.  I went through the steps you gave me down to image file execution options and it's not there.  I had malware antivirus, but it had not been working the past few months.  I also use spybot. I know this takes alot of your time and I really appreciate it!

Shelley

Answer
Hi Shelley

No problem, I'm just sorry we haven't been able to get it fixed as of yet.  Did you run the Registry Cleaner part of CCleaner, or just the file cleaner part?  Also, I am not aware of a program called Malware Antivirus, perhaps you meant Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, which is not an antivirus program.  Were you able to locate a Windows CD?

Brian