I'm not sure if this is the right forum for this or not, but here goes...

A friend asked if I could look at this Gateway Celeron machine (circa ~ 2004), which means it does not have SP2 installed yet.

Things I've experienced so far:

Unable to open "My Computer", Windows Explorer, or Control Panal. This prevents me from installing Anti-virus, or spyware programs from my flash drive, or uninstalling possible problem programs.
Booted into Safe-Mode (Explorer came up ok), and attempted to install AVG & Ad-Aware, but niether would install in safe-mode. Unusual thing while in safe-mode was every 2 min. or so, the message window that you normally get at the very beginning telling you that you are using Windows Safe-Mode, etc, etc. kept popping up.
I am awaiting word from my friend whether or not they have the OS restore disks, in the meantime does anyone have a suggestion?

Hi oneof4,
This will enable the MSI in safemode so you can attempt to install some programs. Not all programs use the MSI, so it might not work.

Copy all the green text in the code box that follows to Notepad:

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried it, but I was given a message that the file was not a valid Win32 application. I ok'd the message just in case, but nothing changed when trying to install AVG or Ad-Aware, and the safe-mode warning message continued to pop up every minute or so.

Any other suggestions?

You did change the file extension and do the merge from normal mode, and then boot into safemode, correct?

I think your options are somewhat limited if you can't install scanning programs. I am guessing that the puter does not have any?

What are the particulars of the system? OS, installed software, hardware?

You could try an online scan http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/solutions/activescan/
or perhaps a different file manager if Explorer won't cooperate http://www.gpsoft.com.au/ (free 30 day trial)

I'll see if I can get any other ideas.

No, I didn't try to merge it in "Normal" Windows, but after this evenings session with it I may not need to. While in safe mode last night, I dropped the installation program for AVG onto the desktop, tonight I was able to actually install it while in "Normal" Windows. The scan revealed 161 Trojan viruses!! All were healed or deleted according to the scan result. I also installed Ad-Aware, but evidently I got a bad download or something cause it's giving me some errors when I try to run it, so I installed an older version of SpySweeper and am scanning as I type this reply. I just finished downloading the latest version of AVG Anti-Spyware and will install/run it as soon as SS completes.
I haven't connected to the internet as of yet, and don't plan to till I complete these initial scans, and get SP2 installed. I will then update the two AVG scanning programs, re-scan the system, and then go through the rest of the Malware Removal and Prevention list.

Does this procedure make sense?

sort of - better would be to not install the program, but rather have a version that will run off removable media - such as a CDR / UFD - and run that- especially CDR - less chance that the scanner gets infected....

I know you said that you are planning to do the MRP anyway, but since we are not qualified or allowed to really assist with malware removal in this forum I recommend that you do that now. They have access to more powerful tools that should only be used with expert supervision.

Malware Removal and Prevention procedure. This procedure has been designed to enable you to partially or even fully rid your computer of viruses, trojans, adware, and spyware. Be sure to carefully follow the directions in order to achieve the best results.

If you have any questions about any of the steps, then please post a new topic in the appropriate forum. There are links to them along the way. If you still need help when you finish, please read
these directions for posting a topic in the HijackThis forum and a trained 1st responder or security expert will assist you.

Thank you mrsugg, I will do as you suggest.

FYI...."The Look2Me Removal Tool has been integrated into Ad-Aware 2007. Make sure to upgrade to Ad-Aware 2007 in order to use this tool."