Won't let me enable Internet Connection Firewall

[roannejohn]

I just had my laptop reformatted, and when I got it back and connected to the internet, the Messenger Service keeps popping up a message saying that Windows has detected 55 critical errors, my registry is corrupted, must clean it, download a cleaner at some site, blah, blah blah. I have AdAware and AVG AntiVirus, but they wouldn't fix this problem. As I searched for other solutions, one mentioned something about enabling the ICF, and it turns out my ICF was disabled. I use a dial-up connection, so I immediately enabled it. Only, I couldn't. In the Advanced tab, there was this message: Windows can not enable ICF... Windows Information Management System is corrupted... (Sorry, I don't remember the exact message)... and then something about doing a system restore first. The problem is, I don't wanna do a system restore, it's too much hassle to reinstall everything again. Is there anything else I could do to remove these spywares? I'm afraid I got the sasser virus, too, 'cause my laptop shuts down randomly, and it's caused by lsass.exe. Please help! Thanks!

[nitroshift]

All you need to know (and act upon) is located here: http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=42699

[TheFlash428]

If you just had it reformatted, maybe it's not that difficult to repeat the process--this time being sure to get the system up-to-date and protected before bringing it online?

[Jeremy]

First of all, that's Messenger spam, nothing more. Disable the Messenger Service.

Secondly, download and open Dial-A-Fix. Go to Tools (the hammer icon), highlight "Reinstall WMI/WBEM". You'l need your Windows XP Installation CD. Reboot.

Everything should be good now.

[roannejohn]

If you just had it reformatted, maybe it's not that difficult to repeat the process--this time being sure to get the system up-to-date and protected before bringing it online?

I have a problem with the restore points. I tried restoring it to an earlier time, the last restore point was right after the last application was installed, but it didn't create a restore point after the drivers and stuff were installed (modems, etc). I don't have the CD that contains the drivers, the computer shop has it (bought the laptop from them a year ago). I don't wanna go back and pay another $10 to have it fixed again. I'm broke.

Anyway, I find nitroshift's suggestion very useful. Thanks, man!