Urgently need PC help

[Stephen_N.I.]

Apologies if this isn't the correct forum thread.

I've got windows XP, everything's fine with load up, pick username etc. When I get to pick user name, it says loads personal settings, now usually it would head straight to the desktop, but it just goes black, sometimes the icons and start banner would flicker but then black again, the only thing I can get running is the windows task manager (by pressing ctrl, alt + del)
Can someone tell me whats wrong and how to fix it?:bang:
Thanks

[BeerFunk]

Try going to the task manager, ending the application 'explorer.exe', and restarting it by going to 'File->Run...' (in Task Manager still), typing 'explorer', and hitting enter. If everything displays, try changing your display settings to a different resolution and refresh rate, then restart. This should fix it, I think your display settings are incompatible with your monitor, thats all :)

[Stephen_N.I.]

Thanks it seems to be trying to work,
How can I change my display settings from the task manager?
Thanks again

[BeerFunk]

Thanks it seems to be trying to work,
How can I change my display settings from the task manager?
Thanks again
Well, you really need to get to the desktop to change display settings, so you may have to start in safe mode to do so (hit F8 during startup, if I remember correctly)

[Dillmiester]

Ah finally an area i know something about!
Is this XP a fresh install?
Have you recently plugged inor installed anything new.
Have you tried a "safe mode" boot up (f8 at start) and "system restore" back to a time it worked ok.

[Stephen_N.I.]

Hi ,thanks so far people.
Not a fresh install
I had it going earlier by running "explorer" from the task manager but it just flickers on and off along with the icons and start menu.
I'll try safe mode now, I've found out that I had a "trojan horse" and "download-mislead.app" virus which I erased, can there still be traces of this?
thanks

[Dillmiester]

Hi ,thanks so far people.
Not a fresh install
I had it going earlier by running "explorer" from the task manager but it just flickers on and off along with the icons and start menu.
I'll try safe mode now, I've found out that I had a "trojan horse" and "download-mislead.app" virus which I erased, can there still be traces of this?
thanks

Just make sure your antivirus is up to date and let it carry out a full scan of the whole system.
Then run some anti spyware like Spybot search and destroy and SuperAntiSpyware. Both free and azailable from here http://filehippo.com/

[Stephen_N.I.]

Have done so with AVG and Norton.
I've a funny feeling it's still there.
Explorer is running today but with the message :
A buffer overun has been detected which is affecting the program's internal state. The program cannot saftey continue and must now be exectued. This is in the Mircosoft Visual C ++ Runtime Library
Any ideas?
Thanks once again

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Have done so with AVG and Norton.
I've a funny feeling it's still there.
Explorer is running today but with the message :
A buffer overun has been detected which is affecting the program's internal state. The program cannot saftey continue and must now be exectued. This is in the Mircosoft Visual C ++ Runtime Library
Any ideas?
Thanks once again

When you were in safe mode, did you turn off system restore while you were scanning for any nasties? If you didn't then try again in safe mode with system restore turned off, as that means anything you delete won't be able to come back again.

Make sure you back everything up first though.

[Stephen_N.I.]

I did turn it off but not in safe mode.
I think I'll just put all the important stuff on external hard drive and wipe the system, Don't really want to do that though as it's a lot of hassle.
Thanks