ASPI32 Hangs Up Start Up

[Guest]

I have Windows 2000 on a standard Dell with almost no non-factory hardware.
The CD is a Samsung and there is a floppy. The Windows software is up to
date.

The Windows load hangs up after "loading personal settings", the lock up is
the hour glass on a blue background. I can bring up task manager, but
otherwise the system is locked. I shut down and restart, and after maybe 4
tries, it starts and everything is normal. I

It used to restart on the first try, but after we put in Norton Works, the
latest Anti Virus and Spysweeper--- it takes more tries. Sometimes it
doesn't hang--maybe one in ten.

Event views says ASPI32 error, system failed to start, cannot find the file
specified.

I understand ASPI relates to Adaptec but there is no Adaptec on the machine
that I see. There is an ASPI32 in the Registry under System/Control Settings/
Services/ASPI32. I have thought of taking it out.

Can you help

 

[George Hester]

No do not take it out. Get aspichk and run that. That is a utility which
checks your ASPI32 installation.

 

[Guest]

George:

Thanks for the tip. It is a more elegant approach than mine. I finally
found the proper chk at Adaptec-- and ran it. Their download site is a
little short of simple-- but I finally found the correct program for 2000.
But on running it detected no files, I suppose meaning there is no ASPI
layer.

The problem turned out to be a worm-- Brophia N, running as NvCplScan
nvsc.exe... a nasty little bugger. I used Norton Go Back that has better
logging definition and could see it at the point of failure. I rechecked and
the eventmgr sometimes picked it up- but not always. I had to use the
Symantec tool (free at site) to take it out, and it took several passes to
get it, but it seems to have finally come out-- and I don't have hangs ups on
Windows 2000 startup. For some reason my Norton AV and Spysweeper would not
detect the worm and correct it by themselves.

The eventmgr still gives the error message on ASPI but there is no hang up.

Again, thanks.

 

[George Hester]

I'd say install the ASPI32 from Adaptec to "solve" the issue. I have it
installed but for a reason. It should be installed if you have a burner of
any type whether it uses it or not. But Event Viewer giving this error?
Almost sounds like the bugger wanted it and still does???

Now NvCplScan almost sounds legitimate. Your Norton Antivirus in the
Control Panel. See if there is anything in Services that shouldn't be
there. Anything that looks "weird" ask us we should be able to determine if
it is OK or not.