Computer is fully locked. Unable to access anything !

[SledgeHammer]

I'm having a Windows XP SP2. It's configured as a single user with full administrative rights.

Yesterday, when I was using the PC suddenly the system showed some signs of instability. So, I closed all the programs and restarted the system.

After rebooting, when I tried to start any programs, I'm getting the following error message :

"Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item."

Because of this, I'm unable to start any

• .exe,
• .com
• Control Panel
• Computer Management
• Local Security Policy
• Group Policy Editor
• Windows Explorer

etc...

The shortcuts keys like Win + E, Win + F are working. The computer was protected by (fully updated) KAV 2009 + Comodo Internet Security.

In a nutshell, the OS is fully un-usable.

I've searched in the net for the following error, but the solutions are not working in any manner.

Please help me.....

[Ettan]

To resolve this problem, use another screen saver program (such as Logon.scr) that is installed locally on the system or that is not corrupted.

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
2. Locate the Scrnsave.exe value under the following registry key:
HKEY_USERS\.Default\Control Panel\Desktop
3. On the Edit menu, click String, type logon.scr, and then click OK.
4. Locate the ScreenSaverIsSecure value.
5. On the Edit menu, click String, type 0, and then click OK.
6. Quit Registry Editor.

[SledgeHammer]

Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

But, I cannot start any .exe programs. When I try to run Registry Editor, I'm getting "Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item." message.

[madjack]

What about start your computer in safe mode?
Please try this & let us know what happens!

[Rudra.J]

Start your computer in safemode and login as administrator. The administrator account is hidden and made my default even if you create a single user system. And once logged in with that account try to run regedit.exe Hope this helps you!

[Coolrohit]

In recommend you to just go through these topics for some information & see if it helps you!

1. Windows cannot access the specified device path or file. You may not have the appropriate permission to access the item

2. Windows cannot access the specified device path or file problem

Hope this helps you!

[SledgeHammer]

In recommend you to just go through these topics for some information & see if it helps you!

1. Windows cannot access the specified device path or file. You may not have the appropriate permission to access the item

2. Windows cannot access the specified device path or file problem

Hope this helps you!

I had seen the links before. Not working for me.

I'm having Win 2003 Advanced Server(Dual Booting) in the same machine. Can I use Win 2003 to fix Win XP ?

[Rudra.J]

I don't think so! try to repair your windows... Hope that could work!

[SledgeHammer]

I tried to use Safe mode(all the 3 options). But I'm getting the following error :

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your Computer.

If this is the first time you've seen this Stop error screen,
restart your computer.

If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly
installed hard drives or hard drive controllers.

Check your hard drive to make sure it is properly configured and
terminated. Run chkdisk/f to check
for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer.

Technical information:
STOP: 0x0000007B(0xF8958640, 0xC0000034, 0x00000000,
0x00000000)

I ran the chkdsk from Win 2003, but it got stuck in the middle. So used the commandline : chkdsk /r & chkdsk /f. But everything was OK. The partition was OK without any bad sectors.

[dhanubaba]

can u started services...type services.msc in the run..if u can go there start RPC service in local account and then go to server service, automatic update service , back ground intelligent transfer service and start as automatic mode.
If u cant go there go microsoft side and download milisious software remove tool and scan,,.
and done windows updates

[SledgeHammer]

can u started services...type services.msc in the run..if u can go there start RPC service in local account and then go to server service, automatic update service , back ground intelligent transfer service and start as automatic mode.
If u cant go there go microsoft side and download milisious software remove tool and scan,,.
and done windows updates

I cannot access services.msc. It's also blocked.....!

Is there any way to access Win XP registry from Win 2003 ?

[SledgeHammer]

Anyone please help me...

The PC is still un-usable.

[madjack]

Hey Mr. SledgeHammer!

If nothing seems to be working for you then try this it works for me always!

Get a Linux live CD (I use Ubuntu)

Boot from it & you can have access to all your important data backup on another disk or burn to CD/DVD
This way you will get all your data back then you can install windows XP clean from scratch!

I hope this helps you!

[SledgeHammer]

Hey Mr. SledgeHammer!

If nothing seems to be working for you then try this it works for me always!

Get a Linux live CD (I use Ubuntu)

Boot from it & you can have access to all your important data backup on another disk or burn to CD/DVD
This way you will get all your data back then you can install windows XP clean from scratch!

I hope this helps you!

I can access the data from my Win 2003.

I just want to avoid the pain of re-installing & re-configuring Win XP & all the apps. So is there any way out ?

[Rudra.J]

Hey again...!

There no way out man! Can't you see the virus infection has locked you up! If you don't want to go through the pain of re-installing XP you will have to be in the lock up...! First take back-up of your data, then format your drives and clean install XP then install an antivirus software and update it. Now restore your data and scna if there is any virus left. If any clean it. Install all the necessary softwares and drivers. Now either use Ghost tools from norton or similar software and make a clone or image of your Hard disk. so if next time somthing happens you can install everything very qickly from the image or clone of your disk!
All the best!