XP win explorer errors, programs crash.

Hi all. Hope someone can give me some insight into this drama.

My XP has been behaving strangly, and I've tried to track down why, but no luck. My job is dependant on this thing working reliably (I know, Windows/reliable, an oxymoron).

If I open windows any deeper than 2 folders, they crash. Nearly every program eventually, and unexpectedly fails. I've done virus checks with Norton, AVG, and a few off brands. They find things, clean 'em up or delete them, but it doesn't seem to help.

From the day I got this computer, the explorer web browser has never displayed background colors or wallpapers on websites, just a white background with text, images, etc. And even though I pounded HP for answers, none of their techs even had a single suggestion. Netscape shows the pages, backgrounds and all without any problems, but not any programs that use explorer such as Frontpage, etc.

What could be going on? I've upgraded explorer several times, but it makes no difference, either.

I need this machine to not dump programs on a whim, and I'm wondering if the explorer problem stems from the winexp that the computer came with.

Also, a couple of strange programs that I cannot get rid of, are constantly trying to access the net. One is wtta.exe, and the other is called Motive System.

The idea of wiping this machine clean is devastating. Backing it up would take forever! And I've tried to avoid it. Could there be any other way? PLEASE HELP!!!

Thanks in advance!
Lady Tepesh

When you say you have had problems since day one I would suggest using your warranty.

Since you seem to have accumulated data you wish to save then you may need to work thru alot of fixes.

What exactly do you mean by "explorer"? Internet Explorer? Windows Explorer?

What is the exact make & model of the computer? HP .... ?????

Also as an additional tool: (as wtta.exe is spyware):


Please follow owen's Instructions and then post your log in a new thread in the Spyware, Adware, Viruses and HijackThis Logs section. (Not in this section please).

Warrantee is long gone. HP told me that the only thing that I could do was backup everything, and reinstall everything. They offered NO alternative, and had no intentions of "fixing" a problem that 3 techs had insisted they had never hear of.

As for which explorer, sorry that I wasn't clear. BOTH.

Wtta.exe has been identified by every adware, spyware, and antivirus program that has detected it. None of them could heal or erase it.

HP Pavilon piece of crap model.

Hp Pavillion ??? There should be 4 #'s Pavillion 5000 etc.

I suggest running the HiJackThis log 1st. to clear that up.

afterwards return to this thread and we can run thru some fixes for your problems.