evil fantasy: need some help

Running out of options here...how about the keyboard ...... is it PS/2 or usb?..... came across some posts on another forum stating the USB keyboard can be at fault....and to make sure USB is enabled in Bios....can you try another keyboard and see if it makes a difference.

You might want to look here as well.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/330184

Karnac,
My keyboard is a Logitech PS/2.  A test with the devise manager recently indicated it was working properly.  My thoughts now are:  the computer is runing fine, my dskchk doesn't seem to have any major issues, I am not infected with a virus or spyware, the 3 logs previously submitted were basically clean, and I do not get any messages such as I have read on other posts, where different types of freqent error messages are given and their computers won't do anything.  My only error message at start up, again is : invalid boot. ini file, Booting from C:\windows.  I think I have read in other posts it should be booting off the hard drive, but I am not sure of this.  Is this anything?

Is there something, rather than safe mode being being infected or broken, that would cause it to be just switched off?

I can get into the Bios.  I know I shouldn't go in there and just start changing things around on my own.  I have looked in there recently and one function that I noticed is:  Super Boot-disabled.  I was tempted to enable it, but so far I haven't.  Should I do that? 

To try another keyboard, I would have to puchase one and this one is only 2 1/2 years old.

Also, I went to your MS link, invalid boot: ini file.  It explains how to rebuild a damaged or lost boot file.  It starts by asking that I put my Windows XP installation CD in the cd-rom and at setup press r to begin the fix.  Sounds simple enough but.. when I do that, my installation CD says this:

Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP

What do you want to do?

Install Windows XP
Learn more about the setup process
Install optional Windows components
Perform additional tasks
Check system compatibility  * reading the various MS links that I have been sent to, I think my installation CD is for SP 2 but I have SP 3 on this computer.  I have gotten messages that indicate my current version of Windows is newer than what is on my Windows CD and It has asked if I want to install an older version.  I don't want a reinstall of any version if it means my computer would be wiped clean.

There is no command  - press r for Recovery Console. This Recovery Console sounds like it might be what I need to fix this, if you can suggest how I can get to it.  And... how come my installation CD doesn't seem to have this? Hope this gives you some new ideas. 


Thanks,
 beachguy

Here's a step by step to install the recovery console...

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial117.html


There's also an option to edit the boot.ini file here...

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/289022

[Malware Removal Specialist]

Beachguy, it might be a good idea to try this. It certainly can't hurt and might cure the problem of starting in safe mode.

Karnac,

I tried to follow your link:  http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial117html a few days ago.  Actually, I thought I was doing everything correctly.  At one point in he process it asked that I insert the windows installation CD into the drive and restart the computer.  When I did that the computer would not completely reboot .  Up until that point, I thought I was going through the directions correctly.  I guess I messed something up. They are very detailed.  Well,  the only thing that would work finally, was to reinstall Windows and all my previous programs.  This problem really turned out to be quite an adventure and I learned more than I previously knew before I started.  I guess that old saying is true,  "a  little  knowledge can be dangerous."  It looks like it was in my case.  With the reinstall my F8 key now taps into safe mode.

One point I am still wondering about is the 3 logs that were requested.  Those logs seem to be given a lot of importance.  No one ever commented about them once I got them on this post.  I am curious as to why any evaluation of them was not posted back except for another link to try with really no explanation concerning the logs.

Thank you,
beachguy

[Malware Removal Specialist]

Beachguy, the HJT log was the most important one and, if I recall correctly, it looked ok. That's why everyone was looking for some other solutions. That's why I suggested a System File check.

beachguy,

The purpose of the logs is twofold. First it shows the specialist that the scans have been run. Second, in the event that the pc does not respond to the scans/cleaning the information logged gives the specialist a good idea of what threats he is facing, and what tools to use to proceed....Usually using the process tool, a pc can be brought back to working order. In your case I don't believe we used the process tool once the pc was determined to be working fine with the exception of the disabled F8 key...that's when attention was diverted to that issue. I am not a specialist on this or any forum. I basically direct traffic and attempt to keep things moving and assisting as best I can. Unfortunately, your problems developed during a period of time when evilfantasy was enjoying a well deserved break from the boards and specialists are in short supply in all the malware forums. Hope this answers some of your questions and finds your pc running well. As evilfantasy recommends, download WOT(Web of Trust) and install it. This program will allow you to surf safely, and alert you to suspect sites.

Karnac,

Thank you for the reply.  It answered the questions I had and after awhile I sort of assumed that evilfantasy was away.  I will download the Web Of Trust.

beachguy

[Malware Removal Specialist]

(tapping F8 key, computer does not go into safe mode)

Where is the USB plugged in? The tower or somewhere else?

evilfantasy,

by USB  do you mean my keyboard?  This is a Logitech PS/2 keyboard and it is plugged into the back of the tower.

[Malware Removal Specialist]

This is a Logitech PS/2 keyboard and it is plugged into the back of the tower.

Yea that's what I meant. Sometimes people plug in the keyboard to a monitor that has USB plugs. Since the monitor loads after the tower you can't use keyboard commands soon enough to get into the the boot options.

Note: NEVER force Safe Mode if your computer is infected with malware. You may end up in a boot loop and have to reformat/reinstall. See here for details.

Alternate method of entering Safe Mode.  Force Windows to Boot Into Safe Mode Without Using the F8 Key

There is also a tool in the SUPERAntiSpyware folder called BootSafe that you can use but again don't use it if your infected. http://www.superantispyware.com/WebHelp/How_do_I_boot_to_Safe_Mode_.htm

XP - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware > Double click Bootsafe
Or
Vista 64bit - C:\Program Files (x86)\SUPERAntiSpyware > Double click Bootsafe

evilfantasy,

Thanks for the links.  Now that everything is working again,  I will just keep them for future reference.

beachguy