No command prompt

[Shdef]

It just comes and goes 

Any advice?

[Gareth - Harvey & Theo's Dad]

Can you clarify?  In everyday windows use you wouldn't need the command prompt, so I'm guessing you're talking about something else?

[Shdef]

I am trying to run a program called kanotix which is  a little like Knoppix to look from the outside why my computer is so infected and why no antivirus can fix the problems I have.

The Start-Run-CMD doesn't work, as the little window just flashes and then goes away. Every other way to open a command prompt also fails. Same with the Kano and Knoppix 

[Gareth - Harvey & Theo's Dad]

Have you tried running in safe mode?

Restart computer, after the memory test has run press F8 repeatedly until you get a menu option screen, enter safe-mode without networking and try from there.

[Shdef]

I tried that, too 

And in safe mode, I can't connect, even if I tell it to 

[Gareth - Harvey & Theo's Dad]

Is it possible to wipe your hard drive and just start again?  If you can backup all your important information then I would suggest that a hard drive format would be the way to go.

[Shdef]

Format C or reinstall XP?

Everything is backed up. I cannot delete anything, deinstall, burn, turn it on without problems... 

If I format C, I have to manually do the drivers (the computer is put together manually, not a ready bought one).

I have a like a bucket full of installation discs, wouldn't reinstalling windows mean that the hardware has to be reinstalled manually, too or there a way around that?

[Gareth - Harvey & Theo's Dad]

Yes, format C: if that is your primary hard drive, and then re-install windows, provided you have all the necessary disks of course   Whilst running through the setup process windows should discover most of your hardware, and if it doesn't have generic drivers for them, then it should prompt you for your disks.  This is a very lengthy process that could take the best part of a day or more to get completed as once you've finished the installation you will then have to go through the process of updating your windows version.  This will take an age, as you may well have to download Service Pack 2 if your version of xp is an old one.

What is the exact nature of your problem, from the beginning?  Also, are you comfortable with making registry changes?  Because if you are infected and want to avoid a format then no doubt there will be some registry changes needed.

[Gareth - Harvey & Theo's Dad]

Just wanted to add.....

You can run a program called HijackThis and then post the results on the relevant forum.  This program is excellent at discovering spyware infections and the forum members are very capable of helping you through it.  The program has recently been acquired by Trend Micro (a good and safe company) - Here's the link to their free programs website where you will find HijackThis:

http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/home

[Shdef]

My problem from the beginning... I have two folders. One called C Programs, one C Programme. They replicate each other within seconds which makes it impossible to delete or deinstall. C is only 10 GB big, the other ones are 20GB and 150GB. Now there is only 200MB free on C as it is impossible to free space 

Whenever I deinstall in add/remove programs, the program is removed from there, however, it is going to be replicated within seconds and no space is freed.

I have hijackthis,  superantispyware, trend micro antivirus (the trial version, online scanner always crashes), even in IE) virtual box (to open another OS, didn't work), bit defender, jv16 power tools (to clean my registry), malwarebites. None did what they were supposed to do

I am just scared of the BIG step format C. I am pretty sure I will have to call someone to get it back one if I do that and we don't have the money. I am not even sure the drivers are complete or which ones I need 

Hardware has never been seen on its own, had to be done manually, too.

Tried running things with qemu. No avail It just flashes, then it's away.

Thanks for trying to help 

[Gareth - Harvey & Theo's Dad]

When you run the anti-virus/spyware programs what do they report back?

[Shdef]

That all is well 

[Gareth - Harvey & Theo's Dad]

There's a good chance that it is then.....in terms of an infection that is.  Do you suspect an infection based solely on the problems you are having?

[Shdef]

I am. Might be wrong? Don't tell me it's hardware 

[Gareth - Harvey & Theo's Dad]

You could be wrong, if your anti-virus pattern files are up to date then they should discover any viruses.  It could also be a hardware problem.  Your hd could possibly be failing, or they may be some other conflict. 

How long have you had the problem?  If it hasn't been going on for long is they any way that windows system restore can recover your original settings prior to the issue?