Cleaned of virus but windows is not working properly, still missing things

To clarify, I can sign on without any error messages and it seems to function good (slow but good).  But I still don't have any of my system tools and some program folders are empty. 

It is my sons computer and there was only one accessible user account from the welcome screen...his.  I have been using the computer for several months due to my dinosaur laptop crashing and not being worth fixing.  His user account was being used when the computer was infected with a virus/malware.  I booted the computer in safe mode, created an administrator user account and ran microsoft security essentials, which enabled me to get on the forum for help.  I have since gone through all the virus scans, posted logs and repaired with the help of someone from this forum, from MY new user account.  My son's user account is still really messed up.  The screen is frozen gray, instead of the HP blue (or the screen saver he had).  There are no icons and I cant drag and drop anything either.  I can get to programs and it will let me load firefox, but the desktop is toast. 

I do not have the OS disk because the computer was a used refurb, but my husband says his work will lend me one they have with the same version of XP.  Will this work on the computer if the registration #'s are different?

I have never experienced anything like this,  so I am on new ground.  I have NOT ran any kind of system restore.  And I don't THINK I have deleted the system restore points from before my issues...yet.

The computer stats are as follows:

MS Win XP Pro
Version 2002, SP3
Intel Centrino Duo
HP intel core2 cpu
t5600@1.83GHz
1.83GHz, 1.99 GB RAM

Here is the first thread I started, and the second I was told to in virus removal if you want to see what has already been done to the computer.  The second thread is closed.

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,127477.0.html

http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,127504.0.html

Thanks in advance!  I look forward to input!

--Nat

[Moderator]

Were you given a clean bill of health at the Malware section ? ?
If not...return there and finish.

I would say that your computer is clean. Unfortunately, I'm not well versed in user accounts and I suspect that is where your present problems are. I think we should do some cleanup and you can then start a new thread in the appropriate software forum.

  This was from SuperDave, who was helping me. 

[Moderator]

Just checking...some people jump the gun which never turns out well...

My son's user account is still really messed up.  The screen is frozen gray, instead of the HP blue (or the screen saver he had).  There are no icons and I cant drag and drop anything either.  I can get to programs and it will let me load firefox, but the desktop is toast. 

Ok. I think you should just back up the files in his account and then delete and recreate a new user account for him and copy the files back.

Ok. I think you should just back up the files in his account and then delete and recreate a new user account for him and copy the files back.

I can and probably will end up having to do that, but it doesn't solve the problem of not having my administrative tools, among other things.  I still need to poke around to find out what else is missing or goofed up.  But the administrative tools are GONE on both user accounts.  I have tried getting to them via the program list and through MY COMPUTER, but neither works. 

Is there another way to get to them that I am not trying?  Is there a way to fix this without the OS disk?

Thanks,
Nat

[Moderator]

The full Admin account can be accessed by booting to safemode...from there you should be able to re-set the Admin priveledges for the existing accounts...

Trying that now.  Thanks Patio

I can't get to the administrator tools even in safe mode.    When I click on the icon it opens the admin tools page, but it's empty. 

Personally what I would do in these situations in order to not waste my time figuring out what is wrong and how to fix it and suffer with stress while the clock is ticking, I would just re-install the windows with the cd that your wife will bring. The key is not saved on each OS cd, it is saved somehow into your system, most likely the BIOS of the motherboard. So after typing it in and finishing the installation all you will need is to check for genuine copy and it will be done.
So, how do you re-install the OS?
First of all save all of your important files and save them on the external drive, make sure they are not shortcuts of the files because that will suck a lot. Get all the software ready to install that you need.
Easy, put the cd into the drive and restart system. As soon as it starts booting up press the f12 key, sometimes it is 11 or 10, but I press all three like do re mi non stop. Then the boot screen option comes up. Select cd-rom.  Then just follow instructions and format the hard drives. Then install the OS. Then put back all of your files, install software, and create more users that you need.
If you already knew this then this is just the information for others with similar issues.

Personally what I would do in these situations in order to not waste my time figuring out what is wrong and how to fix it and suffer with stress while the clock is ticking, I would just re-install the windows with the from that your wife will bring. The key is not saved on each OS cd, it is saved somehow into your system, most likely the BIOS of the motherboard. So after typing it in and finishing the installation all you will need is to check for genuine copy and it will be done.
So, how do you re-install the OS?
First of all save all of your important files and save them on the external drive, make sure they are not shortcuts of the files because that will suck a lot. Get all the software ready to install that you need.
Easy, put the cd into the drive and restart system. As soon as it starts booting up press the f12 key, sometimes it is 11 or 10, but I press all three like do re mi non stop. Then the boot screen option comes up. Select cd-rom.  Then just follow instructions and format the hard drives. Then install the OS. Then put back all of your files, install software, and create more users that you need.
If you already knew this then this is just the information for others with similar issues.

I agree. Probably best to do a reinstall now.

Ok.  I did not know, so I appreciate your input.  My husband hasn't given me the OS disk yet and I also need to get an external hard drive.  I need one to back up my new computer anyway.  Any suggestions on a good one? 

I will report back after.

By the way...thanks to you all.

WesternDigital external hdds are the best and you can buy them at pretty much any computer store.

Check this out on AMZN:

Western Digital My Passport Essential SE 1 TB  USB 3.0 Portable External Hard Drive (Black)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0041OSQ9S/ref=cm_
this is the one I got. It's 1 tb.  I actually have 2 one USB 2.0 and the other 3.0 but good stuff.

[Moderator]

The key is not saved on each OS cd, it is saved somehow into your system, most likely the BIOS of the motherboard

This is wrong...

As soon as it starts booting up press the f12 key, sometimes it is 11 or 10, but I press all three like do re mi non stop.

This si also innaccurate...depends on the PC...it needs to be set to boot to the CD 1st to do a re-install...

This is wrong...

This si also innaccurate...depends on the PC...it needs to be set to boot to the CD 1st to do a re-install...

Please be more specific to why it is wrong.

The second one is not specific on my part because majority of the systems already have the boot from cd-rom option without the need to access the BIOS.

Thirdly,  how is this helping the issue by pointing out what is wrong without the proper solution?

It's F11 on the laptop I am trying to repair.  But I still don't have the OS disk.  I should have it tonight. 

Patio, can you explain?  I would like to understand.  Can I use a OS disk from someone else or not?

[Moderator]

Patio, can you explain?  I would like to understand.  Can I use a OS disk from someone else or not?

A full Win XP CD from Microsoft can do a repair install on the PC...it has to match the version installed...

See Here...

Done properly all data and apps will be intact...
One mistake and all data and apps will be gone...but you will have a fresh install of XP.