Cannot run regedit or regedt32

[Guest]

When Itry to run regedit or regedt32, the screen opens up the programs but
within a second it closes them. I can run cmd without any problem. What is
the problem?
Thanks for any leads.
Primero

 

[Eric McG]

Try to run Regedit also. If it acts the same way, then you can be fairly certain
of an infected system. This behavior is typical of more than one virus/worm,
some of which may even neuter your present AV app.

Try one of these free on-line scanners to double-check your system.

Trend Micro - Free online virus Scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

McAfee Security - FreeScan
http://www.mcafee.com/myapps/mfs/default.asp

Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp

 

[David H. Lipman]

1) Download the following three items...

McAfee Stinger
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

Trend Sysclean Package
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp

Latest Trend signature files.
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp

Create a directory.
On drive "C:\"
(e.g., "c:\New Folder")
or the desktop
(e.g., "C:\Documents and Settings\lipman\Desktop\New Folder")

Download SYSCLEAN.COM and place it in that directory.
Dowload the signature files (pattern files) by obtaining the ZIP file.
For example; lpt238.zip

Extract the contents of the ZIP file and place the contents in the same directory as
SYSCLEAN.COM.

2) If you are using WinME or WinXP, disable System Restore
http://vil.nai.com/vil/SystemHelpDocs/DisableSysRestore.htm
3) Reboot your PC into Safe Mode
4) Using both the Trend Sysclean utility and Stinger, perform a Full Scan of your
platform and clean/delete any infectors found
5) Restart your PC and perform a "final" Full Scan of your platform using both.
6) If you are using WinME or WinXP, Re-enable System Restore and re-apply any
System Restore preferences, (e.g. HD space to use suggested 400 ~ 600MB),
7) Reboot your PC.
8) If you are using WinME or WinXP, create a new Restore point


* * * Please report back your results * * *

Dave






| When Itry to run regedit or regedt32, the screen opens up the programs but
| within a second it closes them. I can run cmd without any problem. What is
| the problem?
| Thanks for any leads.
| Primero

 

[Eric McG]

Oops....sorry! I forgot that msconfig may not be in your system at all since
it's not native to the Win 2K system.

Assume your system is infected and proceed from there.

 

[Guest]

Thank you Eric and David. You were right on. My system was infected with a
variety of bot viruses. After cleaning the system, I have no more problems
running regedit and regedt32. Incidentally, another symptom of the infection
was eliminated- I had to boot the system twice each time I started the
computer, the first time I got a blank desktop after the theme sound, then I
pressed Alt-Ctrl-Del and rebooted the computer and got a normal desktop.
Thanks!!!
Primero