Logon/logoff loop virus. Please help!

[tekisui]

I got an adware virus, today. I ran a malware anti-virus and deleted several found threats. Upon the restart, Windows will logon and my desktop background will appear (no icons) for a moment and automatically log off again.

I have tried starting in safe mode and tried starting 'last known successful operating set-up' and the same thing happens.

I don't have a Windows XP cd, so I can't start up with the install cd.

What could I try next? Anything?

[Catshrink]

1. This happened to me once.

I got to Windows by doing Ctrl Alt Del when I thought Windows had loaded, then went to Task Manager and ran Windows Explorer. I was able to get rid of the program but this is all I remember. Good luck!

[tekisui]

2. Thanks, I'll try that.

I'll try anything at this point.

[kayakjohnny]

3. I've had great luck with HijackThis.

But you have to be very careful how you use it.

And another one called CCCleaner I believe.

Both have been effective.

Both a little risky to use.

[Capn Sunshine]

4. also, try smitfraudfix

http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix_En.php

it sounds like one of those creepy variants

[Catshrink]

5. I've been using Spybot

AdAware seemed to freeze up on my computer but Spybot caught a lot of bad stuff that the McAfee from Cox didn't catch.

[Duer 157099]

6. Try booting from a floppy or CD

If you have any CD or floppy that can be booted from, try that first to rule out that there's the slight possibility that you're having a power supply failure. Once you know that you *can* boot successfully from elsewhere than the hard drive, move to step 2 diagnostics

[tekisui]

8. I bought the computer second hand, without any CDs.

Stupid question--can a new CD be bought?

[Duer 157099]

11. Actually it doesn't have to be a restore CD

I just mean *any* CD/floppy that is bootable. For example, an old version of Windows, or perhaps one of those CDs that comes with a new hard drive that's used to format the drive. Any will do. Just to show it's not hardware.

[pokerfan]

12. Yes, you can buy Windows

Windows 7 starts at $239.99. You might want to give Linux a try. It's gotten pretty good these days and it's free.

http://www.linuxmint.com

[tekisui]

13. I have been curious about Linux and willing to give it a try.

Now,may be the time. Thanks!

[pokerfan]

14. Feel free to PM me with any questions

and check out the http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=240">DU Open Source and Free Software Group.

[tXr]

15. Linux Mint is a great distro!

Very user friendly, a good beginner distro for people transitioning from Windows, and free to download and use.

I have been running it on an Acer netbook and an HP laptop with no problems whatsoever.

[pokerfan]

7. Boot from a rescue CD

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SystemRescueCD

[tekisui]

9. Thanks.

[dixiegrrrrl]

10. Same thing happened to me, but it was not a virus.

It was a bad driver that would not let start up go past a certain point.
Somewhere in safe mode there is a way to get into a Windows system check program
that runs and essentially defrags the system.
That is what worked for my puter.

[SoxFan]

16. Shoot the computer