Startup problems, corrupted system files, black screen and updates

Norton Antivirus Scan Results: Clean
Malwarebytes' Antimalware Scan Results: Clean
NVidia Drivers: Up to date

OS: Microsoft Windows XP ~ Media Center Edition (Version 2002)
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core

Please ask if you need other information.

A couple weeks ago, I started up my computer; all was normal, until I
noticed that it took 5 seconds to move the mouse across the screen. After
about a minute of confusion, a Windows Bubble popped up in the corner, saying
that the file run-something was damaged. The name consisted of "run" and
numbers. I spent the next 5 minutes stuck in the Start Menu, trying to shut
my computer down. When I rebooted, the system took about half an hour
replacing the file. Afterwards, all was fine.

Last week, I let my brother get on my computer, because his computer lacks
the RAM capacity to play his games. He constantly complained about my slow
startup times (it always takes about 5 minutes to finish startup loading, and
initiating any programs before loading is finished will cause excessive lag
and annoyance). He probably tried to start up his games right after the icons
finished loading.

We later got into an argument, and he pressed the power button while I had
multiple internet windows open.

Ever since he did that, my screen has remained blank upon startup. I
replaced my Dell Widescreen Flatscreen with an older Dell E551c (curved glass
screen) a few months ago. When I start up my computer, the screen starts up
as well, but then all the adjustment lights flash in unison and the power
indication light dims. I know that my computer is functioning as this
happens, because after I wait a bit, enter my password and login, the
computer begins working (loading desktop icons, internet, ect...) The
physical connection to my computer is secure.


After I shut down my computer (hold down the power button for about 7
seconds) I will wait a bit, then reboot it. The screen then works, but greets
me with a relative of The Blue Screen Of Death, listing corrupted indexes and
files, and then retrieving orphaned files. This happens every day. Blank
screen --> corrupted list. Blank screen --> corrupted list. Whenever I go to
shut down, I am given the suggested option of Install Updates And Shut Down,
which (if chosen) spends about 1 minute installing update 1/1 then shuts
down. I have run multiple diagnostics (drivers, gaming compatibility, virus
and malware scans, updating, ect...) but none have explained the reason for
the constant corruption of files and failure to update. I want to fix the
issue before too many System files become corrupted (because some have, and
it was a VERY long wait to fix them).

I had worried that my brother may have caused it (unintentional, of course)
because last year he was infected with a supervirus.

The next paragraph is about the supervirus, it can be skipped;
The said virus opened countless of hidden windows and processes, downloading
hundreds (YES HUNDREDS) of viruses, malware, adware and worms. His desktop
image was changed into a hyperlink (a working one), instances of Internet
Explorer were opened, even when internet was disconnected, webpages were
saved (so that they could be opened even with internet down), virus scans
were aborted or terminated, a 15 second Norton scan would turn up about 20
viruses. An administrator disabled Windows Task Manager (even though there
was no administrator profile on his computer). It was pretty bad. The issue
was solved when my brother was granted an update from Norton that could
combat the virus, finding the original and curing from there. Afterwards, he
told me that it had prompted him with windows about saving files to disk.
With a gaunt look on his face, we opened the disk drive to find Oblivion in
there. Afterwards, he joked around about having a supervirus to use as a
weapon, as he had an inert copy of the main virus quarantined.

Although doubtful now that I think about it (because Norton would recognize
the virus if I indeed had it) it worried me that I might have been infected
by it.

Any solutions to the corrupted files, black screen or updates problem should
help me a lot. Sorry if the length of this post made you mad.

So, to recap, the current problem you are having is drive error messages
every time the system starts?

It is possible that it may be a drive starting to fail, you can find
diagnostic programs online from drive manufacturers that can check the drive
very thoroughly for physical errors. For instance if it is a Seagate or
Maxtor drive, they have a free tool call Seatools.

Might be work eliminating the possibility of the problem being a hardware
issue.
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), FL


"Preston Hamlin" <PrestonHamlin@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:5939D37A-7423-40B1-A5AA-BC2E1C03EFDD@microsoft.com...
> Norton Antivirus Scan Results: Clean
> Malwarebytes' Antimalware Scan Results: Clean
> NVidia Drivers: Up to date
>
> OS: Microsoft Windows XP ~ Media Center Edition (Version 2002)
> Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core
>
> Please ask if you need other information.
>
> A couple weeks ago, I started up my computer; all was normal, until I
> noticed that it took 5 seconds to move the mouse across the screen. After
> about a minute of confusion, a Windows Bubble popped up in the corner,
> saying
> that the file run-something was damaged. The name consisted of "run" and
> numbers. I spent the next 5 minutes stuck in the Start Menu, trying to
> shut
> my computer down. When I rebooted, the system took about half an hour
> replacing the file. Afterwards, all was fine.
>
> Last week, I let my brother get on my computer, because his computer lacks
> the RAM capacity to play his games. He constantly complained about my slow
> startup times (it always takes about 5 minutes to finish startup loading,
> and
> initiating any programs before loading is finished will cause excessive
> lag
> and annoyance). He probably tried to start up his games right after the
> icons
> finished loading.
>
> We later got into an argument, and he pressed the power button while I had
> multiple internet windows open.
>
> Ever since he did that, my screen has remained blank upon startup. I
> replaced my Dell Widescreen Flatscreen with an older Dell E551c (curved
> glass
> screen) a few months ago. When I start up my computer, the screen starts
> up
> as well, but then all the adjustment lights flash in unison and the power
> indication light dims. I know that my computer is functioning as this
> happens, because after I wait a bit, enter my password and login, the
> computer begins working (loading desktop icons, internet, ect...) The
> physical connection to my computer is secure.
>
>
> After I shut down my computer (hold down the power button for about 7
> seconds) I will wait a bit, then reboot it. The screen then works, but
> greets
> me with a relative of The Blue Screen Of Death, listing corrupted indexes
> and
> files, and then retrieving orphaned files. This happens every day. Blank
> screen --> corrupted list. Blank screen --> corrupted list. Whenever I go
> to
> shut down, I am given the suggested option of Install Updates And Shut
> Down,
> which (if chosen) spends about 1 minute installing update 1/1 then shuts
> down. I have run multiple diagnostics (drivers, gaming compatibility,
> virus
> and malware scans, updating, ect...) but none have explained the reason
> for
> the constant corruption of files and failure to update. I want to fix the
> issue before too many System files become corrupted (because some have,
> and
> it was a VERY long wait to fix them).
>
> I had worried that my brother may have caused it (unintentional, of
> course)
> because last year he was infected with a supervirus.
>
> The next paragraph is about the supervirus, it can be skipped;
> The said virus opened countless of hidden windows and processes,
> downloading
> hundreds (YES HUNDREDS) of viruses, malware, adware and worms. His desktop
> image was changed into a hyperlink (a working one), instances of Internet
> Explorer were opened, even when internet was disconnected, webpages were
> saved (so that they could be opened even with internet down), virus scans
> were aborted or terminated, a 15 second Norton scan would turn up about 20
> viruses. An administrator disabled Windows Task Manager (even though there
> was no administrator profile on his computer). It was pretty bad. The
> issue
> was solved when my brother was granted an update from Norton that could
> combat the virus, finding the original and curing from there. Afterwards,
> he
> told me that it had prompted him with windows about saving files to disk.
> With a gaunt look on his face, we opened the disk drive to find Oblivion
> in
> there. Afterwards, he joked around about having a supervirus to use as a
> weapon, as he had an inert copy of the main virus quarantined.
>
> Although doubtful now that I think about it (because Norton would
> recognize
> the virus if I indeed had it) it worried me that I might have been
> infected
> by it.
>
> Any solutions to the corrupted files, black screen or updates problem
> should
> help me a lot. Sorry if the length of this post made you mad.

You waited too long after seeing initial symptoms to ask for help.
Probably the only thing to do is save your data files to an external
drive, scan them on another machine for good measure with a
reputable AV, then format and reload the OS. The incident with the
power button could have corrupted things badly.

On Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:58:02 -0700, Preston Hamlin
<PrestonHamlin@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Norton Antivirus Scan Results: Clean
>Malwarebytes' Antimalware Scan Results: Clean
>NVidia Drivers: Up to date
>
>OS: Microsoft Windows XP ~ Media Center Edition (Version 2002)
>Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core
>
>Please ask if you need other information.
>
>A couple weeks ago, I started up my computer; all was normal, until I
>noticed that it took 5 seconds to move the mouse across the screen. After
>about a minute of confusion, a Windows Bubble popped up in the corner, saying
>that the file run-something was damaged. The name consisted of "run" and
>numbers. I spent the next 5 minutes stuck in the Start Menu, trying to shut
>my computer down. When I rebooted, the system took about half an hour
>replacing the file. Afterwards, all was fine.
>
>Last week, I let my brother get on my computer, because his computer lacks
>the RAM capacity to play his games. He constantly complained about my slow
>startup times (it always takes about 5 minutes to finish startup loading, and
>initiating any programs before loading is finished will cause excessive lag
>and annoyance). He probably tried to start up his games right after the icons
>finished loading.
>
>We later got into an argument, and he pressed the power button while I had
>multiple internet windows open.
>
>Ever since he did that, my screen has remained blank upon startup. I
>replaced my Dell Widescreen Flatscreen with an older Dell E551c (curved glass
>screen) a few months ago. When I start up my computer, the screen starts up
>as well, but then all the adjustment lights flash in unison and the power
>indication light dims. I know that my computer is functioning as this
>happens, because after I wait a bit, enter my password and login, the
>computer begins working (loading desktop icons, internet, ect...) The
>physical connection to my computer is secure.
>
>
>After I shut down my computer (hold down the power button for about 7
>seconds) I will wait a bit, then reboot it. The screen then works, but greets
>me with a relative of The Blue Screen Of Death, listing corrupted indexes and
>files, and then retrieving orphaned files. This happens every day. Blank
>screen --> corrupted list. Blank screen --> corrupted list. Whenever I go to
>shut down, I am given the suggested option of Install Updates And Shut Down,
>which (if chosen) spends about 1 minute installing update 1/1 then shuts
>down. I have run multiple diagnostics (drivers, gaming compatibility, virus
>and malware scans, updating, ect...) but none have explained the reason for
>the constant corruption of files and failure to update. I want to fix the
>issue before too many System files become corrupted (because some have, and
>it was a VERY long wait to fix them).
>
>I had worried that my brother may have caused it (unintentional, of course)
>because last year he was infected with a supervirus.
>
>The next paragraph is about the supervirus, it can be skipped;
>The said virus opened countless of hidden windows and processes, downloading
>hundreds (YES HUNDREDS) of viruses, malware, adware and worms. His desktop
>image was changed into a hyperlink (a working one), instances of Internet
>Explorer were opened, even when internet was disconnected, webpages were
>saved (so that they could be opened even with internet down), virus scans
>were aborted or terminated, a 15 second Norton scan would turn up about 20
>viruses. An administrator disabled Windows Task Manager (even though there
>was no administrator profile on his computer). It was pretty bad. The issue
>was solved when my brother was granted an update from Norton that could
>combat the virus, finding the original and curing from there. Afterwards, he
>told me that it had prompted him with windows about saving files to disk.
>With a gaunt look on his face, we opened the disk drive to find Oblivion in
>there. Afterwards, he joked around about having a supervirus to use as a
>weapon, as he had an inert copy of the main virus quarantined.
>
>Although doubtful now that I think about it (because Norton would recognize
>the virus if I indeed had it) it worried me that I might have been infected
>by it.
>
>Any solutions to the corrupted files, black screen or updates problem should
>help me a lot. Sorry if the length of this post made you mad.
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...ts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com