Windows XP & Programs & Restore Points

[rhylmadhouse]

I am trying to hlep a freidn out and thier pc will start up but when they try to run any program either off desktop or via start, programs etc or even open the control panel etc nothing happens. I have started in safe mode and tried a number of restore points but still the same thing happens, although on one I did get an error message in the bottom tray:

\windows\prefetch\DWWIN.EXE-30875ADC.pf is corrupt and unreadable.

I really do not know what to do next, unfortunatley they have been surfing without protections (no virus or firewall - both subscriptions expired).

Any help gratefully appreciated, I am not an XP user so step by step instructions really appreciated.

Andy

[Aurorus]

Can the computer run Internet Explorer?
If it can: Hop onto http://www.antivirus.com and select
housecall. This will give you a free virus scan.

If it cant:

You are saying that the System Restore will not restore to any
date? Have you tried to go back on all of the dates? Be careful
with System Restore, because it does change settings and
uninstall applications.

DWWIN.EXE-30875ADC.pf has been noted to be the resident host
for a virus. I can give you step by step instructions to clean the
computer out - but see if you can hop on the Internet first. That
will mean booting into Safe Mode with Networking.