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My computer will not boot to Safe Mode in Windows XP. I have malware "MS Removal Tool" and I can't even get to a DOS prompt, search will not find the malware files, the malware closes task manager, and will not let me execute most utilities. Help, I don't want to have to buy a new hard drive.

2011-05-13 07:38:00
If taskmanager cannot work then try AutorunAutoruns for Windows v10.07http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx Have you tried to download and use ClamWInhttp://www.clamwin.com/You can download on other pc then use a usb key for transfert to your pc.Otherwise there are some bootcdthere is BartPE with Clamwin:http://oss.netfarm.it/winpe/Trinity Rescue Kit – A Bootable Anti Malware, Virus Rescue CDhttp://trinityhome.org/Home/index.php?wpid=1&front_id=12delete those that are associated with “MS Removal Tool%AppData%[random]%AppData%[random][random].exeHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRunOnce “[random]”c:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication Data[random][random]c:Documents and SettingsAll UsersApplication Data[random][random].exec:UsersAll UsersAppDataRoaming[random][random]c:UsersAll UsersAppDataRoaming[random][random].exe
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Tina
2011-05-13 07:37:00
Gary,how are you trying to access Safe Mode and what happens?The easiest way to boot into Safe Mode is to click the trigger key (usually F8) while the computer is booting. Since the malware is not running at that point, it should not be able to interfere. Anyways, you are in luck, Bleeping Computer has a detailed guide on how to get rid of MS Removal Tool: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/virus-removal/remove-ms-removal-toolPlease let us know whether it worked for you and in case it didn't, where you got stuck.