Re: desktop abduction

From: Michael Pelletier (mjpelletier_at_mjpelletier.com)
Date: 04/30/05 

Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2005 19:25:02 -0700

Jim Watt wrote:

> Got a good one today, client got a virus warning from Norton 2003
> and then the desktop vanished.
>
> no taskbar, no icons no nothing apart from a cursor.
>
> I can bring up the task manager with ctrl/alt/del and run some
> programs but not others.
>
> Logging in as administrator brings up a background image
> but the same situation.
>
> Emergency repair process and re-installing W2K gives same
>
> Running the uninstall of NAV 2003 reports its removed itself
> but makes no difference.
>
> Googling suggests a problem with the active desktop or policy
> but that looks OK, and have deleted and restored the entry
> for .exe in the registry.
>
> Unusually the client has a full backup (or so he claims) so the
> quick and easy solution is wiping the disk and starting again -
> however there is a certain intellectual challenge with this one.
>
> comments?
> --
> Jim Watt
> http://www.gibnet.com

I used to do this as a gag to people. If you rename explore.exe to something
else ( I used to rename it to exploder.exe ) it will cause the screen to go
blank and lose all of your icons. Maybe this is what your virus is doing
messing with explorer.exe...

Michael 

-- 
"Microsoft isn't evil, they just make really crappy operating systems." -
Linus Torvald

Relevant Pages

  • Re: desktop abduction
    ... Jim Watt wrote: ... no icons no nothing apart from a cursor. ... > Logging in as administrator brings up a background image ...
    (alt.computer.security)
  • Re: desktop abduction
    ... Jim Watt wrote: ... no icons no nothing apart from a cursor. ... > Logging in as administrator brings up a background image ...
    (alt.computer.security)
  • Re: How to rename recycle bin in Windows XP pro
    ... Rename Desktop System Icons ... XP_DesktopIconRename.exe - Rename System Icons ... © Doug Knox - 2003 ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Can someone remind me...
    ... I don't appear to be able to rename it ... thats rather odd the noting being able to rename... ... excess caching of icons. ... Could do with a nice Aqua style folder for my "Things Wot I Downloaded ...
    (uk.comp.sys.mac)
  • Re: Locking down desktop
    ... privs on the Documents and settings\All Users\Desktop folder ... > I've got some public internet stations using Windows 2000 ... > public use profile all the icons on the desktop are secure ... > where do I go to deny the ability to rename or delete ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)