Upon boot-up, I now have the following registry error:

"Cannot import sys.reg. Error opening the file. There may
be a disk or file system error."

When I click the OK button the message goes away and the
desktop boots up. What I notice in addition is that some
type of other program loads and uses Explorer to visit
sites unprompted.

I recognize second problem may be unrelated, but any advice
is welcome.

Most likely a corrupt install of some spyware/ junkware or trojan.

Start\Settings\Control Panel\Administrative Tools\Computer
Management(Local)\System Information\Software Environment\Startup
Programs|View|Advanced, then in the "Location" column, you'll find the path
to the "Startup" location either in the "Startup" directories or from the
registry's "Run" keys.

%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

You can delete the shortcuts that you no longer want to run.


HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

You can delete the string value for the program you no longer want to run.


--
--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft MVP [Windows NT/2000 Operating Systems]

"Denny Van Liew" wrote:
> Upon boot-up, I now have the following registry error:
>
> "Cannot import sys.reg. Error opening the file. There may
> be a disk or file system error."
>
> When I click the OK button the message goes away and the
> desktop boots up. What I notice in addition is that some
> type of other program loads and uses Explorer to visit
> sites unprompted.
>
> I recognize second problem may be unrelated, but any advice
> is welcome.
>
>

Most likely a corrupt install of some spyware/ junkware or trojan.

Start\Settings\Control Panel\Administrative Tools\Computer
Management(Local)\System Information\Software Environment\Startup
Programs|View|Advanced, then in the "Location" column, you'll find the path
to the "Startup" location either in the "Startup" directories or from the
registry's "Run" keys.

%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
%USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

You can delete the shortcuts that you no longer want to run.


HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

You can delete the string value for the program you no longer want to run.


--
--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft MVP [Windows NT/2000 Operating Systems]

"Denny Van Liew" wrote:
> Upon boot-up, I now have the following registry error:
>
> "Cannot import sys.reg. Error opening the file. There may
> be a disk or file system error."
>
> When I click the OK button the message goes away and the
> desktop boots up. What I notice in addition is that some
> type of other program loads and uses Explorer to visit
> sites unprompted.
>
> I recognize second problem may be unrelated, but any advice
> is welcome.
>
>

In microsoft.public.win2000.registry Dave Patrick wrote:

> Most likely a corrupt install of some spyware/ junkware or trojan.
>
> Start\Settings\Control Panel\Administrative Tools\Computer
> Management(Local)\System Information\Software Environment\Startup
> Programs|View|Advanced, then in the "Location" column, you'll find
> the path to the "Startup" location either in the "Startup"
> directories or from the registry's "Run" keys.
>
> %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
> %USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
>
> You can delete the shortcuts that you no longer want to run.
>
>
> HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>
> You can delete the string value for the program you no longer want
> to run.

I would suggest to the OP also the he aquire and run some A-Spyware
and A-Adware tools in addition to an up-to-date A-Virus scan of all
files. Possibly an A-Trojan scan as well.

Ad-Aware and
SpyBot Search & Destroy
come to mind (both free for home use) as great tools.

In microsoft.public.win2000.registry Dave Patrick wrote:

> Most likely a corrupt install of some spyware/ junkware or trojan.
>
> Start\Settings\Control Panel\Administrative Tools\Computer
> Management(Local)\System Information\Software Environment\Startup
> Programs|View|Advanced, then in the "Location" column, you'll find
> the path to the "Startup" location either in the "Startup"
> directories or from the registry's "Run" keys.
>
> %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
> %USERPROFILE%\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
>
> You can delete the shortcuts that you no longer want to run.
>
>
> HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
> HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
>
> You can delete the string value for the program you no longer want
> to run.

I would suggest to the OP also the he aquire and run some A-Spyware
and A-Adware tools in addition to an up-to-date A-Virus scan of all
files. Possibly an A-Trojan scan as well.

Ad-Aware and
SpyBot Search & Destroy
come to mind (both free for home use) as great tools.