My Computer, Control Panel, My documents Flashes and disappears

When I click on My computer, Control Panel, Windows Explorer among others,
the screen flashes (icons and apps are gone but the background stays), comes
back but neither of those work. I can access control panel directly by
running appwiz.cpl. I've created a new user profile to weed out profile
corruption but the issue stays.

Done so far: Clean temp files, run avg 8 and removed spyware + virus, remove
unnecessary tool bars and apps, install sp3. No changes. Screen flashes
(icons and apps are gone but the background stays), comes back but neither of
those work. I can access control panel directly by running appwiz.cpl. I've
created a new user profile to weed out profile corruption but the issue stays.

Done so far: Clean temp files, run avg 8 and removed spyware + virus, remove
unnecessary tool bars and apps, install sp3. No change.

frabru wrote:

> When I click on My computer, Control Panel, Windows Explorer among others,
> the screen flashes (icons and apps are gone but the background stays),
> comes back but neither of those work. I can access control panel directly
> by running appwiz.cpl. I've created a new user profile to weed out profile
> corruption but the issue stays.
>
> Done so far: Clean temp files, run avg 8 and removed spyware + virus,
> remove unnecessary tool bars and apps, install sp3. No changes. Screen
> flashes (icons and apps are gone but the background stays), comes back but
> neither of those work. I can access control panel directly by running
> appwiz.cpl. I've created a new user profile to weed out profile corruption
> but the issue stays.
>
> Done so far: Clean temp files, run avg 8 and removed spyware + virus,
> remove unnecessary tool bars and apps, install sp3. No change.

Since you weren't specific as to what "spyware + virus" you removed, I can't
give you focused troubleshooting. However, from what you write either the
machine isn't clean and/or the operating system was damaged by the
infections.

1. Back up all data first.

2. Go through these thorough virus/malware removal steps:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to do
all scans in Safe Mode.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
http://tinyurl.com/yoeru3 - download link and more instructions

When all else fails, get guided help. Choose one of the specialty forums
listed at the first link. Register and read its posting FAQ. PLEASE DO NOT
POST LOGS IN THE MS NEWSGROUPS.

3. If the problem still occurs after you are 100% sure the machine is clean,
do a Repair Install. If the Repair Install doesn't work, do a Clean
Install.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm - Repair Install
How-To
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...alling_Windows - What
you will need on-hand


Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Run Clean up first to remove temp files, spyboot search and destroy and
finally avg. Uninstalled kiwee bar and an old norton. Check and clean
msconfig. Checked finally with Hijack this and remove suspicious staff.

"Malke" wrote:

> frabru wrote:
>
> > When I click on My computer, Control Panel, Windows Explorer among others,
> > the screen flashes (icons and apps are gone but the background stays),
> > comes back but neither of those work. I can access control panel directly
> > by running appwiz.cpl. I've created a new user profile to weed out profile
> > corruption but the issue stays.
> >
> > Done so far: Clean temp files, run avg 8 and removed spyware + virus,
> > remove unnecessary tool bars and apps, install sp3. No changes. Screen
> > flashes (icons and apps are gone but the background stays), comes back but
> > neither of those work. I can access control panel directly by running
> > appwiz.cpl. I've created a new user profile to weed out profile corruption
> > but the issue stays.
> >
> > Done so far: Clean temp files, run avg 8 and removed spyware + virus,
> > remove unnecessary tool bars and apps, install sp3. No change.
>
> Since you weren't specific as to what "spyware + virus" you removed, I can't
> give you focused troubleshooting. However, from what you write either the
> machine isn't clean and/or the operating system was damaged by the
> infections.
>
> 1. Back up all data first.
>
> 2. Go through these thorough virus/malware removal steps:
> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware
>
> Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to do
> all scans in Safe Mode.
>
> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
> http://tinyurl.com/yoeru3 - download link and more instructions
>
> When all else fails, get guided help. Choose one of the specialty forums
> listed at the first link. Register and read its posting FAQ. PLEASE DO NOT
> POST LOGS IN THE MS NEWSGROUPS.
>
> 3. If the problem still occurs after you are 100% sure the machine is clean,
> do a Repair Install. If the Repair Install doesn't work, do a Clean
> Install.
>
> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm - Repair Install
> How-To
> http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...alling_Windows - What
> you will need on-hand
>
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
>
>

frabru wrote:

> Run Clean up first to remove temp files, spyboot search and destroy and
> finally avg. Uninstalled kiwee bar and an old norton. Check and clean
> msconfig. Checked finally with Hijack this and remove suspicious staff.

So I guess that's what you did and not just a declaration? My previous
advice remains the same.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ