Windows XP System Set up and Outlook

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (More info?)

DRTP wrote:

> Dear All,
>
> It looks as either a virus or something else has reconfigured my Win
> XP
> machine including Outlook. For instance it was working as normal and
> the next time the machine was started up the backgound wallpaper had
> been changed to a completely new setting and also when I try to go
> into Outlook it is now trying to re-configure and set-up Outlook from
> scratch.
>
> Can you please give me some ideas on what may have caused this and
> also how
> to revert back to my original Windows settings. In addition I would
> appreciate it if you could also let me know how I can recover my key
> Outlook folders such as the Inbox and Outbox and the Address book if I
> do end up having to re-install/re-configure Outlook and possibly
> Windows as well.
>
> Prior to this occuring there was something that had changed the
> default home page on IE and also there appeared to be some thing like
> an ISP which I did
> not recognise which was trying to dial out to the internet. Any ideas
> on how to reverse these will also be greatfully received.
>

Your computer has viruses and/or malware and you will need to clean it
up. Here are malware removal steps. Do everything with updated tools in
Safe Mode. You may need to get the tools from a different, known-clean
machine with an Internet connection and a cd burner (or have a usb
thumbdrive with enough capacity to transfer the tools and updates).

If you do not have a current antivirus (not earlier than 2004) installed
with an up-to-date virus subscription, start the clean up by running
TrendMicro's Sysclean. Instructions for this are at the link below
also.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing...

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User