XP, cant delete and lost Security Centre.

[gordon_s1942]

I had a bit of a meltdown over the weekend with both Internet Explorer crashing and Security warnings.
It seems an ADD ON was causing it to crash and I kept getting a warning re 'Computer at Risk''
I have disabled ADD Ons and IE is working again.
I cannot OPEN security Centre in Control Panel at all and when I start the computer, I get a notice that MSSE which is Microsoft Essentials hasnt Initalised properly.
I have tried to remove it in ADD/Remove programs but it wont budge and I have tried to reload it and that hasnt worked either.
System for some reason shows I am now SP2 which I am sure was SP3 before.
I ran my XP disc hoping it might 'Repair' but it would only do 'Setup', it wont do that other option but nothing changed.
It was suggested I have picked something up so I ran TREND Micro (free version) but it detected nothing.
Theres not a lot on this computer but I dread doing a full Reformat and I am hoping someone has any suggestions I can try.
I am now running AVG and Zone Alarm neither of which was on here before this happened.
MSSE was untill now the virus checker.

[NoService]

try inserting your winxp cd open a command prompt and type this

sfc /scannow

it will scan windows and replace any missing or corrupted files hope it helps you

NS

[mickstv]

Download the tool linked below and use it to remove MSE ok.




Also download a copy of malwarebytes and do a scan.

If XP sp3 was installed it will come up listed in add/remove programs have a look and see.



Mickstv

[gordon_s1942]

Thanks fellas, at the moment it is downloading some 68 updates from that KB 9683387 that was mentioned the other day.
I will do as you both suggest when the updates are finished.
I did have that Malware program but I think it got lost when this really did turn Turtle here a couple of months ago and it took a friend over a week to get it up and running.
BTW, I forgot to mention I tried Restore too and that wouldnt work either.
This laptop is a Godsend when I stuff up the desktop and should I manage to stuff this up, I can fall back on the newer laptop my wife has with Win7 on it.

[admin]

Get rid of AVG. Its crap and 95% of computers I have had to fix have owners running AVG and thinking its fine. It aint

If you want a decent program, go to ebay and buy a licence for Kaspersky Internet Security. It will probably cost you $15.

[joezep]

Get into safe mode and run Malwarebytes. A friend had a similar problem which switched off MSE that fixed it. Run it again in normal mode.

Hope that helps
joezep

[gordon_s1942]

Well, believe it or not but those afore mentioned Updates appear to have 'Done the Deed'.
I didnt go looking for any updates but I am now SP3 again and I can access the 'Security Centre' on Control Panel.
The notice that 'MSSE cant initalise' has also gone on restart so I guess its up and running too as its still there in the 'Add/Remove' listing so I will leave it alone for the time being.
As usual I havent got a clue as to what caused this to begin with nor why its 'Seems' to be back to as it was before.
Thanks to all