BleepingComputer.com: Issues with Windows XP

I have been having a lot of weird issues with my computer lately, and I cannot get them resolved.
I believe the issues stem from running Combofix on my computer. However, I cannot guarantee that is what caused the problems, I suppose it could be malware.
I first noticed many of the problems immediately after I ran Combofix and it restarted my computer.
Here is a list of the issues I have been having.

1. programs won't show up in the taskbar - they minimize to a small title bar just above the taskbar
2. no sound
3. some programs will not update - adobe reader
4. malwarebytes Antimalware won't run - I get a "run-time error "372':Failed to load control 'vbalGrid' from vbalsgrid6.ocx. Your version of vbalsgrid6.ocx may be outdated. Make sure you are using the version of the control that was provided with your application." message whenver I run the program.
5. I get the same message if I try to reinstall AntiMalware
6. hard drive is constantly working, like windows indexing or search is constantly running
7. I tried to use system restore, but I get the message "system restore was not able to protect your computer. Please restart your computer and then run system restore again."


I've done some searches for solutions to some of the individual issues and I am not successful with any of them so far.
Any help you can give me is appreciated

If System restore won't work you may want to try the Last known Good Configuration. If that fails, you might wan to do a Repair Installation of the operating system.

You write that the hdd is constantly working, does this mean that the LED indicating hdd use is constantly on? If is the case, then you may have a problem with the hdd. Obviously you have access to another computer, so what I would suggest is that you go to the manufacturer's wed site and download their diagnostic tool to see if you have a problem with the hdd.

Quote

See these instructions http://forums.malwarebytes.org/index.php?showtopic=7377

Edit to add .... latest version of MBam is 1.46

This post has been edited by Jacee: 27 August 2010 - 04:52 PM

Jacee, on Aug 27 2010, 04:49 PM, said:

When I try to install SubinAcl.msi, I get the following message:

"The Windows installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if you are running in safe mode, or if Windows Installer is not correctly installed. Please Contact your support personnel for assistance."

I am not in safe mode and I have restarted the computer, pressed F8 during startup to get to the safe mode menu and made sure I started window normally. I get the same message.

dc3, on Aug 27 2010, 04:40 PM, said:

When I try the last known good configuration, I get what I have now.
I try repair of the windows installation, but my CDRom doesn't seem to want to read the old beat up disc I have with windows on it.
I am not using another computer, I am using the computer I am having a problem with. I will download Western Digital's diagnostic tool and reply with the results.

See this link ... it looks like you may have an answer to your problem here http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-390-win...d-not-be-access

Jacee, on Aug 28 2010, 06:42 PM, said:

I tried re-installing Windows installer. I was presented with a setup error:
"Setup could not verify the integrety of the file Update.inf. Make sure crytographic service is running on this computer."

I did a little research and found that I could start the cryptographic service by accessing it under control panel>administrative tools>services. It shows up under the standard tab as CryptSvc. When I try to start the service by right-clicking on it and selecting start, I get the following error.
"Could not start the CryptSvc service on local computer. Error 1068: The dependency service or group failed to start."

I did a little research on that error and found that my Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service was not running and that I should start it. When I right click on the service (found in the same location as the Cryptographic service), and try to start it, I get the following error:
"Could not start the Remote Service Call (RPC) service on local computer. Error 998: invalid access to memory location."

At this point I have a hard time finding anything in the knowledge database or through a google search to direct me to the next step.
There were some alternatives to what I did with the Crypt svc problem and the RPC problem, but nothing I tried worked.

This post has been edited by mrxero2: 29 August 2010 - 11:20 PM

dc3, on Aug 27 2010, 04:40 PM, said:

I downloaded the western digital diagnostic software for my hard drive and it indicates an error on the quick test.

Status Code=07(Failed read test element)

I suppose this means my drive is defective and most likely is causing my error(s)?
Can anyone confirm this?

I would run the long test to be sure, but it looks like there is definitely a problem with the hdd.

My hard drive was running constantly and slowing my computer down to a crawl and I discovered that windows was running a service called index search which was the problem for me . I was able to turn this off in system tools or msconfig under the tab "services" and now everything is much better.

I would still run the long test considering the error you got from the short test.