To get the taskbar back try pressing the
Ctrl and Esc keys together.
If that fails then the program that displays the taskbar is probably not running. This program is the explorer.exe To kick start it:
Press
CTRL+ALT+DEL to fire up the task manager.
Now on the
File menu, select
New Task (Run...). Type in
explorer and press OK. That should restart explorer and re-display your taskbar.
Next, check that your AV program has the latest updates.
Download and install SuperAntiSpyware from:
SuperAntiSpyware
Once installed, click Check For Updates.
Do not run it yet.
Next, download and install Malwarebytes from:
Malwarebytes
Once installed , check for updates.
Do not run it yet
Finally, download and run ATF Cleaner from:
ATF Cleaner
Follow the instructions on the download site to clear out temp files, but leaving your passwords.
Next, set a System Restore point.
Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore -> Create a restore point.
Give it a name and click Next.
Having installed and updated those programs it is now time to start trying to clean your computer.
Double click to open
Malwarebytes and run a quick scan. Let it remove anything it finds.
It is better to run some security scans in Safe-mode to prevent any running programs from obstructing the scan and also to prevent any virus hiding in programs.
To start in Safe-mode either :
1. Turn off the PC and when restarting keep tapping the F8 key as soon as the computer begins to start. Once you have got it to stay on the black screen use the arrow keys to select Safe-mode and hit the Enter key.
As you may miss the short time that you have to hit the F8 key there is another way that gets the computer to start in Safe-mode itself:
2. Instead of shutting down the computer as in 1 above;
Start -> Run type
msconfig in the box and click OK
In the System Configuration window select the BOOT.INI Tab
In this page tick Safeboot and ensure there is a dot in Minimal.
Click Apply -> OK
You will be asked to restart, click the button.
Once the computer boots into safe mode run a full scan with your AntiVirus program.
If the option is there, quarantine anything it finds.
When the AV program has finished, you can select
SuperAntiSpyware and in the scan option select FULL scan or words to that effect and run the scan. Let the program either quarantine or remove anything it finds, it may offer to make a backup or restore point, let it.
A word of warning, it will take a long time in full scan mode, but keep checking the progress so that you can make any decisions that are needed.
If you used method 1 to get into Safe Mode, Turn off the PC and start it again, it will start in normal mode.
If you used Method 2 to get into Safe Mode, repeat the instructions above, but remove the tick in Safeboot. Click Apply and Restart. When it restarts after using Method 2 the windows configuration warning will appear, just tick the box - “Do not show this message again”.
Then use the computer for a couple of hours.
If everything is OK and you are happy with it, now is the time to dump the System Restore Point that you made before the cleanup because it will have a snapshot of the infection. It cannot pose any threat to your PC unless you have to do a System Restore.
To remove all SR Points thus removing any contaminated ones:
Start -> Control Panel -> Performance & Maint. -> System -> System Restore tab
Tick Turn Off System Restore -> Apply -> OK. Then reboot your computer.
Follow the instructions above but this time untick the Turn Off SR box. No need to reboot this time.
Then set a new Restore Point as detailed just after the download instructions above.
If after all the above work you now have a clean computer system, try to keep it clean by using the above security programs to run regular weekly quick scans in normal mode. (you do not need to go into safe mode now).