Any Help Appreciated...

[HoldingCaulfield]

Ok my comp has completely gone kaput.. it loads as normal my desktop image comes up and then nothing! No icons, no toolbar, when i click cntrl alt dlt the only program that shows up is something called Mdm, I have no idea what that is!
Have I got a virus or is my computer just insane?!? I have adaware and I usually run it before shutting the computer down but last night I was too tired and this morninng I'm met with this! Would that have affected it?

The only thing that was different on my computer last night was some porn pop ups that appeared and left icons on my desktop and in my start up menu! I deleted them. Any help as to figuring out why my comp wont load beyond the wallpaper and how to get my icons and shtuff back would be muchly appreciated!!

I live in hope!

HC.

[Raptor]

I assume you have read through Please Read This First - Viruses & Spyware

You did not mention what OS is installed, if it is Windows XP, use the repair option (Boot from the XP disk)

You can also boot into safe-mode and remove whatever may be causing the problem from there. (Install a recommended virus-scan, adware and trojan scanner in safe-mode)

[HoldingCaulfield]

Yup i read the 'please read' part but felt my problem wasn't covered there so posted it here, hope that's ok?

I have Windows 98 btw.

I have tried running it in safe mode but it wont work, it jsut loads as normal, it doesn't seem to register when I click f8, so it still goes to my fdesktop and still no icons or toolbar or anything. I don't know what's caused it or how to fix it, etc. If it's a virus, at echnical fault something I did.... :-/

It's very frustrating!

HC.

[dl65]

.... try these methods .....hopefully one will work for you .

Method 1
Restart your computer.
While your computer restarts, press and hold the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed.

NOTE: If you are using the EZDrive tool, press F8 instead of CTRL.
Select the Safe Mode menu option from the Startup menu, and then press ENTER.

Method 2
Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Information.
On the Tools menu, click System Configuration Utility.
Click Advanced, and then click to select the Enable Startup Menu check box.
Click OK, click OK, and then restart your computer when you are prompted to do so.
Select the Safe Mode menu option from the Startup menu, and then press ENTER.

Method 3
Insert a non-bootable floppy disk in the floppy disk drive, and then restart your computer.
When you receive the "Non-system disk or disk error. Replace and strike any key when ready" error message, remove the floppy disk from the floppy disk drive.
Press F8, and then press F8. When you do this, the Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed.
Select the Safe Mode menu option from the Startup menu, and then press ENTER.

let us know how you make out.

dl65  

[2k dummy]

MDM could be a ligitimate (but useless) file or it could be an exploit. Find your floopy boot disk and check to make sure it write protected. Use it to boot the machine. Change to C: drive. Issue the command dir/s mdm.* and it should list the directory and file name of all files named mdm. MDM.exe is probably located in C:\windows or C:\windows\system or both. Rename each instance where it appears to mdm.ex_ --- this will prevent it from loading. Any other files named mdm should be deleted. Remove the floppy boot disk and reboot.

[HoldingCaulfield]

.... try these methods .....hopefully one will work for you .

Method 1
Restart your computer.
While your computer restarts, press and hold the CTRL key until the Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed.

NOTE: If you are using the EZDrive tool, press F8 instead of CTRL.
Select the Safe Mode menu option from the Startup menu, and then press ENTER.

Method 2
Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Information.
On the Tools menu, click System Configuration Utility.
Click Advanced, and then click to select the Enable Startup Menu check box.
Click OK, click OK, and then restart your computer when you are prompted to do so.
Select the Safe Mode menu option from the Startup menu, and then press ENTER.

Method 3
Insert a non-bootable floppy disk in the floppy disk drive, and then restart your computer.
When you receive the "Non-system disk or disk error. Replace and strike any key when ready" error message, remove the floppy disk from the floppy disk drive.
Press F8, and then press F8. When you do this, the Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed.
Select the Safe Mode menu option from the Startup menu, and then press ENTER.

let us know how you make out.

dl65  

Ok the first one worked for me in the sense that I managed toload it in safe mode but all it has done is that now my desktop is there with safe mode written in all corners but still no icons or toolbar! When i try ti right click the mouse notihng happens theres nothing for me to click on anywhere lol grrrr machines hate me!! Oh tho when i clicked cntrl alt delt no programs showed up not even the Mdm one. It was all empty!!

One thing i did think of is the desktop wallpaper is new.. I only set it there the night b4 this all happened, it is of red fireworks bursting over the statue of liberty... I have no idea if that could have anything to do with it but I had a virus sent to me once a while ago in a picture of fireworks!!

This computer was given to me a short while ago and so I don't have all the usual discs and stuff u get with a new comp, (could I use a boot disc from another comp if it too is windows 98??) The comp worked fine until the other night so i don't think it is something that has been there a while...

:-/

HC.

[2k dummy]

Yes, you can use a boot disk from another W98 machine. Don't forget to make it write protected to be on the safe side.