Problems starting task manager & programs

Hi,

I have a problem with starting up task manager in Windows XP - it starts for a few seconds and terminates instantly. I know this is the same issue as one previously posted, however I also have problems starting up Norton Antivirus. I tried downloading Hijackthis and running it, but it doesn't seem to run either. I have tried online virus scanning at Trend Micro, and that didn't work either. Can someone please help??

Thanks!

peachy!!! holy $hIt .. that is the W97M.Shore.K virus/trojan ---> thats a joke.. it's not real ! <---- dont' worry abuot the virus.. just false advertasiment

basically what it does ... is it has a so called "timebomb" and however it was programmed to last.. but if it goes off ur computer is basically scrap metal.
srry

Hah. yea i have the same problem execpt that i don't have an anti-virus program. but i got some **** .. not only does it not open task manage; when i start up windows it automatically opens 2 "My documents"

lets see .. hijack usually works.. try restarting ur computer and then turn off ur virus scanner then re-downloading hijack this .. then run it.
- if it doesn't work. hm try reformating ur HD

(Ps: i was joking about the timebomb part)

For anyone interested, I was able to find a solution for my problems at
http://www.computing.net/security/wwwboard/forum/5857.html

and

http://forums.devshed.com/archive/t-75471

Basically, to get task manager running I copied it (in c:/windows/system32/taskmgr.exe) and renamed it to something else. It was then able to start. The first link above has a URL to a Microsoft patch which I believe is what solved the problem. However, I also did the following: - According to the links above, there's usually some process running which causes the problem. This is usually a file with some randomly generated letters... For me, I ended a process called mspmspsu.exe and was then able to start my task manager. I then went to c:/windows/system32 and renamed that file.

I restarted my computer, when it first came up, it gave me a warning message to tell me that that file I renamed was missing (mspmspsu.exe). I renamed it back and task manager still works. My Norton Antivirus Live Update is now working and am now in the process of getting the main window to work.

PS I also found an online virus scan which worked for me and removed some viruses:
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

Hope this helps someone...
peachy