Sounds like a virus...maybe. You could try this fix from MS
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/812340
Let us know what happens and good luck.
Dave

How do you mean clean? If you want to just clean up temp and old files you can d/load Cleanup 4.52 from stevengould.org and run in conjuction with windows disk cleanup. But there are a number of...

In the Virues,Spyware and other nasties forum.

I have probably had more luck using combofix to sort out this kind of problem. If all else fails run hijack this and send the log file to the appropriate thread.

Dave

Doesn't appear possible with Everest Home Edition, but AIDA32 does give you your product key. Be careful where you download AIDA32 from as I just got it from Majorgeeks and it had a trojan attached,...

Neither nortons or avg will find this type of malware. it is not normally classed as a virus/trojan.

Dave

If you are still having grief d/load Combofix.exe rename it to anything you want then boot into safe mode and run it. Make you anti-virus is turned off first though.

Dave

You can also get packs according to which OS you use....just search for either XP Codec pack or Vista Codec pack I have found that these are to some degree better than ffdshow or divx. They appear to...

Well I am assuming by Mashestomatoes post that the HDD is not seen by the bios at post. In which case hardware problem. Really should have more info...when booting with XP cd how far does it go i.e...

Definitely a hardware problem. If you are okay with working on the hardware you could try this: remove power from the tower, remove the cover of the PC, disconnect the cables from the HDD and CD/DVD...

Sounds like a interesting problem. You may have had a power surge during the night.....this will sometimes cause a PC to start up by itself. One thing to try that is simple is to turn off at the wall...

If you can get a copy of Everest from Lavalys you can find out exactly what hardware you have then d/load drivers accordingly.
There is a free home edition...you could try that but it is a bit old....

Hi Linda,
THe explanation of WinXP error codes can be found here and maybe a possible solution.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310123
The other possibilty is that your DVD drive is dead only one...

Two things you could try are running Combofix, and LSPfix. Both are d/loadable from the net for free. There are a number of malware programs that aren't picked up by Virus Scanners.
When you use...

If the system is stable enough to run windows, then have a look at the "Event Viewer" in Administrative tools in control panel. Look in the System and Application log. You will find any errors...

What version of XP are you using? As long as the disc you use is the same as the one installed you can use anyones.

Dave

Hi All,
Just thought that I would share a solution to the old userinit.exe problem. So far this has worked twice for me.
After windows loads to a blank desktop and you get the userinit.exe error...

Hi All, I this is an age old problem and is fairly well covered in the forum and I can repair now while standing on my head, but I have system that continualy does it. After I replace the file or...

HAve you tried using "recovery console"? When you boot from the XP disc the first option screen askes if you want to repair using it. If you can get into there you can copy the file from the disc.
...

Hi if you can access task manager then go to file new task run. Type in explorer.exe this will get you into windows. There is another post here about userinit.exe. Follow the instruction there to...

Hi,
Gerbil does have a point with my approach, but in saying that you can't get into use the f-prot method or unless you are pretty cluey you won't be able to use regedit to alter the key required...

Hi, to get to your desktop after you click ok use "ctrl, alt, del" to bring up Windows Task Manager, go file and select New Task(Run) type in explorer.exe press enter. Now you can follow Gerbils...

Hi,
There are numerous causes for IE not to connect. A few points to check. Log into your modem to check your details, and run diagnostics and check your dsl status. If your dsl status says you...

Hi, to save the files you might need to slave another drive into the pc. or alternately taking that drive and slaving it to another pc. damn be so much easier if I was there. But you could try...

Okay then, so you could try removing the folder the windows.0 folder now. Failing that you could try inserting your windows cd and go to repair at the second option. Under no circumstances do you...

Hi, why exactly are you in windows explorer? You should be in notepad.
Right click My Computer, select Properties, Select Advanced, in Startup and Recovery select Edit Remove and this line...

Hi
the reference to WINDOWS.0 needs to be removed. GO to this link and follow the instructions. Let me know how you go.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/888023
Dave

Hi
Have you tried changing the ram yet?

Dave

Hi
Does it show them on separate partitions?

Dave

Hi, if you boot into safe mode cn you get run to work? If you can try running msconfig and go to boot.ini. You should get something like the image attached. Just click on "check all boot paths" and...

Hi
Are they both on the same drive and partition?

Dave

Okay then, may be a hardware problem, I would probably try changing the ram next. If you have more than one stick of ram in try removing one, if the same thing happens replaceit and remove the other...

Hi,
When you tried the repair option was that the first one for the recovery console . Cause the second repair option comes up after you accept the terms. The second will just replace all the os...

Hi,
This could be caused by a myriad of things. But if you can get into safe mode go to control panel and the Administrative tools, open the event viewer and have a look at he system log and...

Actually slave it into another machine.....much easier
Good luck

Dave

Hi you can dload the service manual from here, hope this helps
https://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/plav/en/index.htm

Dave

Hi, laptops are so hard to diagnose as it usually means having to disassemble and verify that the power supply is actually working. Just because the lights come on doesn't necessarily mean that it is...

Hi,
You could try removing any add on hardware ie. graphics card, sound card.....and also remove some of the ram. I have found that ram is probably the biggest reason for install failures...

Hi one thing I have found with the hard drive not beeing seen is to disconnect the drive from the motheroard and power supply, reboot the pc. Turn off the pc and reconnect to motherboard and power...

Hi....no blue screens here either on my desktop with ultimate or on the laptop with home premium. Thought that there would be problems on the desktop seeing as it is pretty old only 1.6Ghz amd, 1Gb...