Icon in Tool Bar Indicating Infection - But Now Can't Access Desktop

I use Ghost to image all my harddrives onto external DVD.

Once your Windows is installed, including all drivers
All MS security updates are complete
Adobe Reader; Flash Reader; and possibly Office is fully installed
The computer has been optimized (in startups; registry; Windows)
Defrag has been fully complete
I then Ghost image the entire Hard Drive to a bootable DVD

Returning from DVD to the HardDrive takes about 20mins

There are others, other than Ghost
Acronis True Image
Drive Image
PartImage

Actually lots more, there may be more replies to Drive imaging software
But this is what you need to do - create a backup drive image

Just to update you, I was able to get all my data off the laptop. Strangely enough, leaving the box up that asks if you want to continue working offline actually left all the icons up. I then sent things to my flash drive and also send larger items (music) to be burned on a DVD. I was very happy I left that box open. When you close that box, then its back to the icons appearing and disappearing and not being able to transfer anything.

Before returning the backup, make sure you fully scan for Virus and spyware

Please continue to supply updates as you progress along

I don't know if I needed to do this, but I went ahead and quick formatted.

this may sound odd, but is it possible to cancel a reinstall when you are still at the "installing windows" screen and it still says 39 minutes left.

I just realized I used my Desktop's recovery disc from my older computer. I have in my hand now the System Recovery disc for the laptop.

Update - Alright, the setup actually stopped on its own saying it could not continue due to an I/O error? I thought I'd be able to start over but when the computer restarts (even with the new XP startup disc in there) it trying to start the installation again and asks for the first disc I had stuck in.

Sorry back for a short time

Yes you can interupt and start again

But
(this will solve both points)
You must set the computer bios (F2 or DEL or F10 or other message at startup to enter bios)
To Start CD as the first boot drive
1 CD Start
2 Hard Drive Start
3 Floppy Start or other

Then Save and Exit Bios Setup screen
Start the computer with the Windows (or Restore) disc in the drive
Press any key to boot from CD (should be displayed)
Therefore press any key on the keyboard - I usually press spacebar)

Start the install again
Except this time Remove (or Delete the partition)
There are some key sequences (that will tell you) how to do this

Sorry, I just saw your last post. Since then, I had inserted the Gateway System Recovery CD and did the full restore. When it is done, it says it will reboot and it does. But, it just says:

"NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart"

If I restart with no disc in, it says the above again.
If I restart with the recovery disc in, it takes me back to the recovery options (full recovery, etc.).

Bascially, I think I'm making things worse.

Yes start again !

Not sure if your Recovery Disc says remove present partition, but if so do that

After trying again, you still get problems, we must then look at the internal Ram (mentioned by me a long time ago (well yesterday !)

This may be a hardware issue afterall !

Just try install again (clean - fast format - remove partition if the disc allows it)

justs so you know, the Gateway Discovery Discs brings up completely different prompts than the regular install XP disc. It has a Gateway screen behind it that talks about "system restore" and then asks if I either want to

It's not like the regular XP operating system disc (like the one that came with my desktop) and the screen that comes up with the blue background that allows you to see the partition, size etc.

I restarted the restore process, but 15 minutes in I got an error saying:

"D 4194304 d:\386/system32\res256\banner.bmp"

The computer than reboots and says:

"Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\ntoskrnl.exe"

As far as the RAM goes, I am 99.5% sure that I got infected looking at a cracked file. I think this is what started the icon thing in the first place. The other people describing my same icon issue even mentioned in the thread that it was known to be on a crack site (for example - "Heard of its contractions via trinsic.org, cracks.am & cerials.net (they belong to the same ring i think) (Sheesh! risky biz ))"

Stupid me.

Do I have to use the disc that came with the laptop? Maybe I should just use the XP disc that came with my desktop and that succesfully restored XP on my desktop this week.

A third restore only ended in the same error message as before:

"NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart"

Well you have a full restore Disc, which will come with drivers and all, and possible some programs. That's good.

Argh! The CD is either faulty , scratched or marked, or the system ram is faulty

Well this doesn't matter anymore - as everything has now gone.

I would, because it comes with all drivers and everything

It must be the same Windows version exactly- which is probably unlikely

What to do:

Clean the disc:
There are lots of cleaning (expensive) products, you may even have one at work. Even seeing glasses cleaner will do.
Actually I've used dishwashing liquid (lightly) with a non abrasive cloth. Then really dried it thoroughly

Really clean the disc:
Most DVD movie shops (in all areas) have a machine that can really clean the disc for around $10 (or less) this may be worth while, to pop out and do.

Your Ram (again):
You may want to detach your Ram, blow out any dust, and then firmly put the ram back in (clips) Yes the Ram can cause this issue, and should be done.

Ok so there you go for the next scenario !
We'll get there, Eventually !

Maybe I screwed something up when I accidently put in the desktop XP disc. That's when I asked if I could cancel the setup.

I'll really clean the disc. Thing is, I see no indcations of damage and the disc came in a sealed sleeve that was unopened. The laptop already had XP on it and I've never had to restore or touch the OS before on the laptop. However, I will really clean the disc regardless.

I'll also see if I can find information about getting to the Ram. Never messed with opening a laptop before (and desktop, yes).

No

Forget about cleaning it !

No

Yes good idea to refer to the manual, there are precautions on ram removal, and insertion.
The Ram is real easy to do, even easier than a Desktop (once you've done it a couple of times)
There's a big (well not too big) cover on the bottom of the laptop
Warning: battery out first - I also hold down the power button discharging any internal Voltage
Just locate the panel (I usually choose any) unscrew and hopefully that's the Ram cover.
There are two tiny clips that hold the Ram in, on each side.
They push outwards to the side and release the Ram
At which time (without moving your feet on the carpet)
You can pull out the Ram(s)
Blow it out (dry air without spitting !) the Ram and Connector
Also inspect the Ram bus connector (gold?) it may have dust stuck on it.

Then... (oh my !)

Re-insert the ram (push it back in - it can only go one way around) firmly
Then push down on the ram, confirming it clips in on both sides
Put the cover back on (and screw)
Put the battery back in
Turn it back over

Redo the setup again ! (4th time I think !)

I'm going to hang on and wait for your next reply
Sorry Techs find this fun (I know you don't)
Don't take that to heart, techs are sick mided people !

O.K., update was easy to find and pull out like you said. It has gold connectors, felt snug, pulled it out at a 30 degee angle, blew (dry air) on it, saw where if I ever wanted to upgrade Mem there is another slot (I think), blew on the circuit board, and reinserted it. Good experience in any event.

Also, I had put back in the desktop's XP disc just to get to the section of the setup where it say the stuff about current partitions. I deleted the only partition listed and quit the setup. Now when the computer is started it simply says:

"Operating System not found"

I'm assuming (hoping) this means that the hard drive is going from scratch?

Anyway, I will now install the Gateway recovery disc for the laptop again and do the full restore again.

(also tried to clean the disc just in case)

Well done I'll stay tuned

Pls give me minor updates as you go along - too much suspense !

Yes you can add Ram at a later date (or replace this one !)

Actually I just thought of something.
I wonder if your CD drive requires a cleaner disc put through it
You can find these at most PC shops

Anyway just continue, we'll get to that on the 5th or 6th time around

Update - I just wish the screen on the recovery disc looked like the screen on the regular XP install disc. Right now it is doing the "restore in progress" and "restoring Windows XP and application files. . ." at 10%.

The only other thing I realized (and I noticed it when reading the manual about the memory that talked about taking out the battery and removing any devices) - I did have the USB for the wireless mouse in the USB port during all of the installations. Don't know if that makes a different but come to think of it, I had all the USB ports still plugged in on the XP desktop install so that proably wasn't a cause of the install issue.

Now at 38%.

I'd actually say that was it ! The USB stuff Arrr Forgot to say detach everything

at 88%. Thanks for hanging in there.

I'm definitely probably making things worse. As I side note while the it continues to restore (now at 91%) did I mention that when I said I successfully reinstall XP on my desktop after the hard drive crashed, that somehow during the install my master drive is now H: and my slave is now C: Also, my DVD drive is no longer D: (now it is F and my DVD writer is no longer E: (now it is G.

Point being, I'm apparently dangerous enough to screw things up even when I fix them.

Now at 97% on the laptop.