Can't access registry editor

[TheFBI]

Thanks to all who have responded.
I disabled system restore and ran a scan of ALL files with PCchilin, also use SpyBot and both come up clean on a full scan... Still haven't discovered the source of the problem.
The winxp came installed on my computer purchased brand new a couple of years ago. I have accessed the registry in the past without problems and I've not installed any new programming since, so I'm pretty confused as to what's going on.
What next guys?

[groovicus]

I've reread your response a couple of times, and I see you ran PCcillin, did you update it first? Sorry if I am being redundant.

Spybot is for spyware, and popular opinion is that it's a virus, so Spybot won't help.

Task Manager (Ctl-Alt-Del)
MSCONFIG
Your Anti-Virus (Norton. AVG, McAfee, Sophos PcCillen)??

As Und3ertak3r asked, do these work? I think he is on the right track here.

This question is directed towards anybody that may know... do these viruses corrupt regedit, or do they just not allow it to run. I'm wondering if maybe putting a "good" version on a floppy and running it from there will work?

Also, would HiJack this be helpful in this situation... my feeling is there is something in the start up that needs to be addressed.

TheFBI, please be detailed as possible about what you have tried... sometimes we overlook the most obvious things?

[TheFBI]

Well.. PCcillen seems to be working just fine (did not update however), But it appears infact that neither Task Manager (Ctl-Alt-Del) nor MSCONFIG is working??
Ah hah! So what does this mean now?

Thanks

[Fatphantom]

Well.. PCcillen seems to be working just fine (did not update however), But it appears infact that neither Task Manager (Ctl-Alt-Del) nor MSCONFIG is working??

Update PC-Cillin and scan - see what you get.

[TheFBI]

Holy WOW! Updating my PCcillin and so far it shows 550 virus!! - ALL are showing as some sort of SpyBot worm. 578 and STILL goin!!

[TheFBI]

635 and STILL counting

[Fatphantom]

635 and STILL counting

After you get all of this cleared up, make sure you have everything updated. Check for anti-virus updates & scan at least once a week. Do the same with spybot & ad-aware.

Holy WOW! Updating my PCcillin and so far it shows 550 virus!! - ALL are showing as some sort of SpyBot worm. 578 and STILL goin!!

Can you edit your post the next time you tell us your virus count? People are going to neg you if they think your cheating on your post count.

[TheFBI]

Alright, well, It finished with 700 and something total. PCcillin wouldn't clean them so it quaranteened them.
My regedit, msconfig, and task manager still will not work?

What's next?

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE:
I did a restart and everythings working well now.
Thank you for all the help I received here!

[Und3ertak3r]

curious.. just how out of date was your AV definitions?

and was that 700 instances of Worm Spybot.578 ..? or a mixture.. of malware.

Cheers

[TheFBI]

Yes indeed, all 736 were Worm Spybot. All .exe