Expert: Brian Benosky - 5/11/2010

Question
QUESTION: I ran the CCleaner for files and I don't see one for the registry.  When I looked at the FAQ's it said it cleaned the registry as well.  I have a recovery disk, but I don't find a windows disk.  I have the malware that you listed and spybot and that is all I have as far as I know.  

Thanks,
Shelley

ANSWER: To clean your Registry:

  1. In CCleaner, click the Registry icon at left.
  2. Click Scan for Issues. You'll see a progress bar and a list of potential issues.
  3. Once the scan is finished, click Fix selected issues... to fix the Registry problems.
  4. You are prompted to backup the Registry first. Click Yes.
  5. Choose a location where to save the Registry backup. The file name ends in .REG. Click Save.
  6. CCleaner displays the first Registry problem and a proposed solution.  To fix all issues at once,
     click Fix All Selected Issues.


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

QUESTION: I did the registry cleaner and 'fixed all selected issues.'  Then, I went back into the image file execution options, but explorer.exe not there.

Thanks,
Shelley

ANSWER: Hi Shelley

I am continuing to do research on this problem, so I have not given up on you yet.  It is just a difficult error to fix without being directly in front of the computer to see what works and how to solve what doesn't, if that makes any sense.  Let's try an XP repair command called scannow.  Again, open to a new task and then type:
sfc /scannow
Note the space between the c and the /.
This command repairs corrupted files.  Most likely, it will ask you to insert your XP CD, so use your recovery disk.  
I will continue searching for solutions if scannow does not work.

Brian

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

QUESTION: No luck.  No explorer.exe after running the sfc /scannow.  Thanks so much for your help!

Shelley

Answer
Hi Shelley

OK, one more fix to try before throwing the computer into traffic!

Right click on the following link and choose Save As...:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/nodesktop.reg

Take that to the offending computer, double click on it, and answer yes to the import prompt.  This will automatically fix the broken registry entry.  I have used this fix once before several years ago, and it worked, so maybe lightning will strike twice.  Totally forgot about it actually, but my brain cells are not what they once were!

Brian