Started back up in Safe Mode and ran SUPERAntiSpyware which found and vaulted:
"worm.Agobot-WC" (x1)
"SMSS32.EXE" (x3)
While SUPERAntiSpyware was running, a popup purportedly from "IDS Software" warned it had detected "TROJANSPM/LX." I suspect this was fake but in a careless moment closed the popup by clicking "x" in its upper corner.
Now when rebooting, either in Safe Mode or normally, my usual desktop loads briefly and then the Welcome screen comes up. I've never booted to the Welcome screen before. Nor have I ever booted using a password. Clicking the "Administrator" log on icon went briefly to the desktop then back to the Welcome screen. But now only the "User" and not the "Administrator" log on icon appears on the Welcome screen.
Can't get past the Welcome screen except by CTRL-ALT-DEL to shutdown or by a suspicious looking "Turn Off Test" icon at the lower left on the Welcome screen, which brings up a shutdown menu box.
I've tried to make a boot repair using Recovery Console from the XP CD but it's asking for an Administrator Password. I've never set up or used a password to boot up, so I'm getting kicked out of the Console after 3 failed attempts of just hitting "Enter."
I welcome any suggestions.
Edited by bootski, 17 January 2010 - 01:18 PM.