HelpDesk

"Clean Boot" to Diagnose Adware/Spyware Issues

Enabling Windows Installer in Windows XP

When working with a Windows XP machine that is infected with adware/spyware, you may need to perform a "clean boot" in order to better diagnose the problem. Unfortunately doing this will disable the Windows Installer preventing you from installing any troubleshooting software or uninstalling any malicious programs. In order to work around this follow these steps.

1. Choose "Start", then "Run".
   
   
   
2. Now type "msconfig" in the Run menu and click "OK".
   
   
   
3. Place a dot next to "Diagnostic Startup - load basic devices and services only".
   
   
   
4. Click on the "Services" tab and place a checkmark next to "Windows Installer". Then click "OK".
   
   
   
5. Click "Restart".
   
   
   
6. Now your machine will restart and boot into Diagnostic Mode with Windows Installer enabled. You should be able to install/uninstall normally. When you are finished open "msconfig" again and choose "Normal Startup - loads all device drivers and services" and click "OK".
   
   
   
7. Click "Restart" and your pc should reboot as usual.