Spyware, viruses, & security forum: My Control panel is missing in Windows XP

See if this LINK helps.



Tom

Is control panel here.

Start button>run>type or paste explorer.exe

Expand my computer,do you see the control panel there?

Try scanning with your AV and AVG ANTI SPYWARE in SAFE MODE.

Did you try system restore?

Tom

"keep getting a windows security warning of a potential spyware operation'

Try this program listed in the sticky post,HERE

"if I do system restore will I "uninstall" all the virus software I down loaded? And or loose all of my pictures"

No,check this link,Will I Lose Personal Files?

You might consider using HJT,since cnet doesn't analyze logs tryh this LINK.This way they can see the whole picture when looking at the log.

NOTE:it takes time sometimes at those forums so patience is needed.

Tom

You're not asking "stupid questions",you're just asking questions which is fine.

I suggest trying one of the hjt forums cause they may find the issue.

Tom

Your AVG Antispyware has an option that you must change/set that allows you to instruct the program what you wish it to do. Under your scan screen you will see a tab that contains your options. Select the option you want to use.

Your AVG Antivirus should be able to clean you virus infection also.

It sounds like you have a Trojan horse-Zylob I think it's called. I had it a few weeks ago.The security message your getting is part of this and the security program it wants you to download is also a fraud. I went to their site to complain but when I tried their help links or any other link they where dead. You can find help at http://www.geekstogo.com/ They do a fantastic job helping people like us. Might take a few days but they will come thru for you. Just reading others with the same or similar problems I was able to fix mine. Good luck!

Dear friends,

Just stop trying everything, I just found the solution to this. My control panel was also blocked. I downloaded Adaware by Lavasoft (You can download it from "http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2007/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?tag=lst-1&cdlPid=10837062" and its latest definitions from "http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Definition-File/3000-8022_4-10237235.html?tag=lst-2&cdlPid=10842156" Install Adaware and extract your downloaded definitions to c:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Adaware and replace your def.ref with the new one. Run Adaware and start Full or smart scan, it will find all the dirt in your computer and will throw it out. Right after that restart your computer and all your applications would be running smoothly. Control panel will become visible again and Add/Remove programs as well.

Hope this post will be helpful to you guys..


Best Regards,
Waqas A Tanoli
+92 300 811 77 00
+92 321 811 77 00

To scan for any spyware/malware/virus go to:

www.trendmicro.com/housecall

Do a complete scan and then delete any issues.
The scan may take awhile so be patient.
Use the search feature on "Start" look for it there.
Hope this helps

How I fixed the Missing Control Panel after a virus attacked my computer.

You need to remove is a backdoor application can allow attackers to access your computer, stealing passwords and personal data. I highly recommend that from a clean, uninfected system you immediately change all the passwords on any systems you access from this system. If you do any on-line banking, or store any financial information on this system, you should immediately call your financial institution and advise them of the situation so you can secure your accounts.

Clean your Cache and Cookies in IE:
Close all instances of Outlook Express and Internet Explorer
Go to Control Panel > Internet Options > General tab
Click the "Delete Cookies" button
Next to it, Click the "Delete Files" button
When prompted, place a check in: "Delete all offline content", click OK
Clean your Cache and Cookies in Firefox (In case you also have Firefox installed):
Go to Tools > Options.
Click Privacy in the menu on the left side of the Options window.
Click the Clear button located to the right of each option (History, Cookies, Cache).
Click OK to close the Options window
Alternatively, you can clear all information stored while browsing by clicking Clear All.
A confirmation dialog box will be shown before clearing the information.
Clean other Temporary files + Recycle bin
Go to start > run and type: cleanmgr and click ok.
Let it scan your system for files to remove.
Make sure Temporary Files, Temporary Internet Files, and Recycle Bin are the only things checked.
Press OK to remove them.
Download SDFix and save it to your Desktop.

Double click SDFix.exe and it will extract the files to %systemdrive%
(Drive that contains the Windows Directory, typically C:\SDFix)

Please then reboot your computer in Safe Mode by doing the following :
Restart your computer
After hearing your computer beep once during startup, but before the Windows icon appears, tap the F8 key continually;
Instead of Windows loading as normal, the Advanced Options Menu should appear;
Select the first option, to run Windows in Safe Mode, then press Enter.
Choose your usual account.
Open the extracted SDFix folder and double click RunThis.bat to start the script.
Type Y to begin the cleanup process.
It will remove any Trojan Services and Registry Entries that it finds then prompt you to press any key to Reboot.
Press any Key and it will restart the PC.
When the PC restarts the Fixtool will run again and complete the removal process then display Finished, press any key to end the script and load your desktop icons.

Restart Computer Still in SAFE MODE Your control Panel should now be there.
Start >Control Panel > Add and Remove Programs> Remove Authentium Web Installer.