I have a virus/trojan infection that messes with my desktop and
prevents me from displaying wallpaper.  In a step-by-step way, what
can I do to get rid of this infection short of completely
re-installing Windows XP Media Center Edition?

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Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 05 Mar 2006 05:01 PST

Hi marksmachine,

Perform the following 4 steps and let us know the outcome:

1) Download Ad-Aware and "check for updates" but do not run a scan yet.

   Ad-Aware SE Personal:
   http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

2) Reboot into Safe Mode.

   How to start Windows in Safe Mode:
   http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml

3) Perform a "full scan" using Ad-Aware (run it several times until it
comes back clean).

4) Reboot normally and scan with HouseCall:

   HouseCall, a very thorough online virus scan:
   http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Good luck,
hummer

You need to identify what the trojan is, and follow the instructions
for removal of that specific problem. Do you know what it is?

I would agree with cythia and hummer...doing what hummer suggests
won't hurt but it might not work either, especially with a trojan.

A trojan and a virus are 2 completely different things and
identification of the problem is the first step (just like aa).

Once you have identified the problem, castlecops.com is a good place
to find answers to specific problems....generally you will download
and install a program such as hijack this and then go through your
registry to clean out problems.

Canadianhelper, I appreciate your comments and for taking the time to
write. To clarify, the steps I posted were meant as a good place to
start and not meant as a solution (although with a little luck, it
could turn out that way). Usually when a computer is infected it's not
just with one bug but there will be many lurking around and it's best
to try to clean out as much as you can before trying to hone in on
something specific. HijackThis is a good program but should not be
attempted until after a little housework has been done.  Slow and
steady does it.

Thanks again,
hummer

perhaps you could try this,

goto start-RUN- paste this command: %SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
and hit enter. 
alternatively 
you could goto start-all programs-accessories-System tools-System Restore

see that the "Restore my computer to an earlier time" radio button filled,
leave this by default and click Next, Then pick date number (the one
which bold) before your wallpaper problem arive. u could change the
MONTH if your not find what your looking for in that month.

then hit NEXT, the computer will restart on it self.

see if it works,


rgds,
Adha

first start your computer in safe mode. (you can press f8 when
computer is starting)
go to www.ewido.com and make an online scan. delete everything that
online scan found.
if problem still occurs, go to www.kaspersky.com and make an online
scan too. it should solve your problem.

Every spyware removal program is different and they do not catch every
virus/spyware infection out there so you may need to try various
programs to make sure you get rid of them all,  one good source to
find out about the various spyware removal programs is: 
http://www.freespywarefixes.com

hi 
just go to following mention URL and download the software it's solve
your problem 100%
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/default.mspx

Hi,

 Free tools are not effecient most of the time
as much as paid ones.

However there are some of the paid tools who allow
you to scan your PC for free before you purchase the software.

One of them located at: http://www.deletespyware-adware.com

You can download, scan your PC and check out if it finds the 
Trojan you mention. You cannot delete it but it will list
all the BAD FILES it finds.

To delete spyware or adware (in your case trojan) 
then you can get the full version. Anyway you still can
check to see if it can do it.

Lashley

Actually, I have had a totally different experience than smithkarl-ga 
--the FREE software that I use for removing spyware, adware, malware
et all, is SO effective, I have never paid for software to remove
same.

I use the software below, PLEASE NOTE, even though they offer paid
versions that may in fact be "better" in some respect, I have never
needed to upgrade to the pay versions:

Adaware (Personal)
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

SpyBot Search & Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Ewido (Trial)
http://www.ewido.net/en/


And for Anti-Virus:

Anti-Vir (Free version)
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/


I looked at the NoAdware link and the product looks like an online
scan similar to Trend Micro's 'House Call,' which is much more
complete:

House Call
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/