Windows XP Home corrupted?

[Jamtheram]

When I booted my Dell the Ad-aware(Ad-scan) detected a registry change.I blocked this for virus concerns,etc.
Two days prior to this I accepted the Microsoft WGA "update".I'am running a genuine copy with product key(came with P/c)
Now when I boot my pc I see a window (mostly empty) with some characters that make no sense just before the ususal log in screen.Since the Ad-scan event almost ALL the programs icons have turned white (Lnk's) and are unable to open.(IE and recycle bin only)All of the task bar icons have disappeared as well.Also,I cannot open any icons in the control panel.The "RUN" box does not work either,etc.
I always use updated McAfee virus scan/firewall,Ad-aware,Hijack this! etc.
When I try to open a program a window appears asking me to select a program to use to open the program:eek:
Suggestions?Thanks.

[Sylvander]

MAKE YOUR SOFTWARE "JUMP BACK"...

1. The simple/quick way to do that would be to restore a recent image of the C: partition made whan all was well.

2. Next best option...
At the Startup menu [running XP?] choose "Last known good configuration".

3. If that doesn't work try...
XP's No-Reformat, Nondestructive Total-Rebuild Option (http://www.informationweek.com/windows/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=189400897).

[Jamtheram]

Ok,I tried option #3 and everything was going good until a window popped up in the re-installation process.It stated "Windows cannot open Rundll32.exe","Please chose a program to open or use the "web service" to find the correct program."{you know the window} This has put a halt on the re-install.
I seem to remember seeing two "Rundll32.exe" in different locations,hmm..:confused:

[Paul Komski]

The Langa link is the same basic repair as that of Michael Stevens (http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm) but it sounds as if your CD may be faulty and that it cant decompress the only RUNDLL32.EX_ file in its i386 folder for the installation to continue.

You can try cleaning the CD, borrowing one of the same version or even of copying the CD contents to a hard drive and burning the contents back to a new CD. Such copying usually showing up bad files, which you could obtain separately and replace before burning the new CD.

My own rundll32.ex_ file is in the attached zip file if that is of any help.

PS it could be worth posting a HijackThis log in the Applications and Security forum to see what the security experts think - with a link back to this thread to outline the problem.

[Jamtheram]

Thanks for the file Paul.I will try your suggestions next.Stay tuned!:D

[Jamtheram]

I did a re-format and re-installed Windows XP.Somehow the Windows system files got corrupted as well as all non-OS programs.I could not post a HijackThis log either because I could not get any programs to execute.
I believe my Ad-scan program detected a registry change and I denied permission for the change.This is when the problems started.
All is ok now,thanks again...

[Sylvander]

Now begin making image backups of your partitions; C: at the very least. :)