I need to remove MSE from an XP machine UTTERLY...

[AWS]

I have an XP machine that was recently compromised by the W32/Reveton trojan.

 

I've managed to regain control of the machine, have performed an Upgrade installation of Windows, and restored all service packs and updates.

 

I'm trying now to re-install MSE on the system (it had been installed prior to infection), however when doing so, I am constantly confronted with the dreaded 0x80070643 error.

 

I have been to (literally) dozens of sites advising how to remove WSE from the system and as such I have:

 

• run the prescribed MrFixIt tool for this issue, it completes without hiccough or complaint.
   
  
• downloaded and (re)installed the Windows Update Client
  
• downloaded and (re)installed the current Windows Installation Client
  
• downloaded the newest "mseinstall.exe" for WinXP from Microsoft and have performed the "mseinstall /U" operation several times, which processes normally and indicates that it was successful.
   
  
• manually searched for and physically removed (when found) requisite folders from "C:Documents and SettingsAll UsersAppDataMicrosoft", "C:Program Files" and anywhere else as indicated by any of the sites that I've visitted on this topic.
   
  
• parsed the registry removing any/all related keys as advised by any/every one of the many websites that I've visitted about this issue.
   
  
• forced Windows Security Center to reload/refresh its database.
  

 

Nevertheless, EVERY time I attempt to install MSE, first it comes up and says, before installing, I should remove any existing anti-virus software from the computer, and, when I tell it to proceed, it subsequently processes for a bit, before failing with

the aforementioned 0x80070643 error.

 

Needless to say, I'm VERY frustrated right now... It's especially frustrating that the Trojan can obviously bypass and disable MSE at will, yet I can't even get it to (UN)INSTALL itself correctly...

 

Unless I can find a new way, I'm almost at the point of formatting and reinstalling the OS from scratch.... :(

 

Any assistance will be tremendously appreciated!

 

-Brett

 

 

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