Having a problem accessing my PC's desktop

I think the problem is related to spyware, and I did use many of the programs listed in the stickied thread here about fixing those kinds of problems, such as Spybot, AdAware, and AVG anti-virus. Unfortunately, only now after checking the thread again do I see how some of the other advice might’ve been helpful too, but now the real problem is just being able to access the desktop(I’m on a different PC right now).

I believe the spyware program that’s responsible was a .dll file with the term “dxclib” in it, made by DeluxeCommunications. But I couldn’t delete it with any anti-spyware/virus programs while I still had access to the desktop, since they said the program was still in use, so they’d try again upon start-up which still did no good even after multiple tries. And the spyware seemed to have somehow stopped the Internet connection from working, so I couldn’t check online to see more specifics on fixing the problem.

But the PC was last used by my brother before the desktop became inaccessible, and here is what he says were the last things he did before the desktop problem happened:
"- Used Comcast Doctor (I believe that’s what it’s called) program to fix Internet connection.

  • It told me to unplug the cable box, wait 30 seconds, then plug back in.
  • I did so, and it then said that it needed to alter the Internet connection settings.
  • After doing this, it said that the Internet connection was fixed, and that I needed to restart the computer for full changes to take effect.
  • I did such, and the computer seemingly started up normally.
  • I tested the connection using Internet Explorer, and it seemingly was working fine.
  • However, within thirty seconds, several pop-ups began appearing on screen (I suppose it’s important to note that I was on Google when this happened, a site which I’ve never seen use pop-ups for advertising purposes).
  • After, perhaps, fifteen more seconds, the computer froze, and I restarted again.
  • However, now the OS refuses to open, instead giving me a Blue Screen before restarting again."

So like he says, now the PC won’t go to the desktop. Instead, just before it would usually show the screen for logging into the PC with your username, it switches to a blue screen with a message on it which only stays on screen for a split second before the PC automatically restarts. I recently got a digital camera though, and plan to soon use it capture what the message says before the PC restarts.

I have also attempted every other start up option I know of, including “Last Good Known Configuration,” which does no good, and “Safe Mode,” which just brings me to a black screen that begins to flood with many lines of text that start out like this:
“Multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\Windows\system32\drivers”
The lines stay on screen for a few seconds before the PC automatically restarts.

The OS the PC uses is MicroSoft Windows XP Professional, but I’m not certain about many of the other particulars about it. Any and all help or suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks for your time,
Ignatz

Try starting your computer in Safe Mode. Often, if anti-malware programs can’t fix your problems in a regular Windows session, they might be able to fix the problems in Safe Mode.

Start the computer, and just after you hit the “On” button, start hitting F8 (i think it’s F8). This should take you to a screen that gives you an option to start in Safe Mode. Select Safe Mode, and wait for the computer to boot. Then, if Windows opens in Safe Mode, you can try running your anti-malware programs there.

It could be that your particular brand of malware requires specialized fixes. Googling on dxclib led me to this page, which gives instructions on how to remove Deluxe Communications crapware.

Good luck.

I will second this advice, I have found the fixes at bleepingcomputer.com to be very effective. Run AdAware and Spybot S&D after that to remove any leftover bits and pieces.

Thanks for the replies, guys, and it does look like a helpful link. It’s just that, I don’t think it’s possible for me to follow any of those steps listed or use any anti-spyware programs until I can somehow access my desktop, which is my biggest problem right now.

You could attempt a repair install. This won’t fix the malware problems but should allow the OS to boot.

When attempting to remove malware in the future, do it from Safe Mode. This will prevent the “file in use” errors you ran into.

This is normal for a Safe Mode start. When you say the PC automatically restarts, do you mean it goes back to the manufacturer’s banner (HP, Dell, whatever)?

No, it doesn’t go back to any banner. It just completely shuts off, then automatically starts back up again. Since the problem occurred that the desktop can’t be accessed, the PC seems to restart no matter what I’ve tried so far. I could turn it on and it will go through all the normal start up processes such as loading things, etc., and it will just restart and then repeat that whole process again and again until I shut it off.

And to Number, that repair install option sounds like it might work. The only problem is that I think it requires a Windows XP CD, and I’m not sure if I’ve got one. We bought that PC used(from Best Buy I think), and Windows XP was already on it. But I’ll have to see if I can get a Windows XP CD somewhere.

Sorry if bumping is not allowed, but in any case, it won’t happen again. I just wanted to see if anyone could make something of the error screen I finally got around to capturing:

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/9856/hpim0133cb1.th.jpg

The problem I’m dealing with apparently has something to do with an “Illegal System DLL Relocation”.