Microsoft AntiSpyware doesn't run properly

[Guest]

Hello. I have a computer where microsoft antispyware
doesn't run. When I open it, it comes up, just the menu
items at the top are visible, nothing else is. I've
tried to install re-install. I've cleaned the computer
with AdAware, Spybot, HijackThis, and a few other
things. I can get to the screen via the menu to run a
scan, and it press run scan and it just goes back to the
blank screen mentioned above. I would greatly appreciate
any help!

 

[Andre Da Costa]

Open up control panel and double-click on add/remove programs.
Select Microsoft AntiSpyware
Select "Change"
On the Microsoft AntiSpyware Maintenance Wizard, click next.
On the next screen (Microsoft AntiSpyware Maintenance Wizard) select Update
Microsoft AntiSpyware and click next.
Select Install
Let the product update.
Click Finish.

 

[Guest]

The product is already updated.

 

[Andre Da Costa]

Have you done all your scans in Safe Mode? Also empty your local settings >
temp directory?

 

[Guest]

I've deleted all files in temp, temp internet folders,
turned off sys restore. Run AdAware Plus and SpyBot in
Safe Mode, then did Hijackthis, CWShredder, About:Blaster,
Housecall, and the Online symantec check. The only odd
thing about the last check is that there are items listed
in the end that don't seem to exist, even with all files
set visible. Also, I just noticed that SAV doesn't want
to install which I am also researching the cause.

 

[david]

I have the same problem. Everything seems to function including updates but
when I click the blue scan button, the blue/white screen is all I see and
scan does not run. When I click the Spyware Scan button in the upper right,
I get the message that I have not run a scan yet. I have removed and
reinstalled but get the same non-scan result.

When I posted this problem, I did not get an answer that helped. Maybe this
time someone will know how to fix this problem.

David

 

[Andre Da Costa]

I'm stumped! Maybe Bill can lend a helping thought on this one.

 

[Scott]

I'm having the same problem on one of the two computers
it's installed on. Everything else runs fine. I did not
try Hijack, but did clean with SpyBot and SptSubtract.
Today, it doesn't even indicate that it runs a scan,
although this morning's autorun results show that it did
in fact run at 4AM. And it found one issue that it won't
let me do anything about because those icons aren't there,
too!

 

[Guest]

For microsoft's knowledge, other symptoms also included
not being able to run .bat or .reg files. I couldn't
install SAV. But, I performed a winows repair which
seemed to clear the problem up. It is working again.
Hopefully with this information, you guys can come up
with an idea of what went wrong to avoid in the future
Thanks!


Reuben

 

[Bill Sanderson]

The purpose of that step is essentially a repair install--perhaps worth
doing even though you know the code won't, in theory, change.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

After such a repair, please be sure your firewall is working, and visit
WindowsUpdate and put in any critical patches offered. On balance, I think
the set of symptoms you've listed resulted either from removal of spyware,
or from a virus. Now that things are functioning, I'd update your antivirus
definitions, and Microsoft Antispyware's defs, restart in safe mode, and
scan with both scanners--just to be sure all is well.

Glad you got the symptoms to go away, and thanks for giving us the details.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

I think the found issue is automatically quarantined--if the default would
have been remove, it'll be quarantined. If it would have been ignore, it'll
probably be ignored.

You can see if any files are in the quarantine subdirectory of the Microsoft
Antispyware install directory. If so, whatever it was is safely out of
action.

I don't have a sure fix for this one. Restarting with as few third-party
services and programs running as possible and uninstalling and reinstalling
has helped for a few people. You can try in safe mode, being certain to
sign in as "administrator." I believe you may need to explicitly start the
Windows Installer in safe mode--not sure. If you do, net start "windows
installer <enter> at a command prompt should do it.

I'm intrigued by Reuben Wilson's experience--not many have licked this one.
A repair install is a pretty big hammer to hit it with, though--not
something I'd recommend lightly.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

I'm glad I've got Andre's confidence, but, in fact, I don't have a sure fire
fix to offer. You can read my reply to Scott nearby and see some thoughts
that I have, but I don't have a simple prescription that works.

 

[david]

My computer runs fine. I use SBS&D, Ad-Aware, HJT, and CWShredder for
spyware checks. So far, everything is clean. MSAS installed, updated, gave
me the setup options and everything looked fine. I set the scan options and
clicked the scan button and got the blue/white screen. Reinstalled and got
the same. For my third install, I did try to install in safe mode but I got
a message about the install not working in safe mode. I will not do a
winxpsp2 repair for to see if that solves this problem. That is too drastic
when I think my computer is OK.

David

 

[Bill Sanderson]

I don't know what is going on. If you check out the errors.log file in the
directory where Microsoft Antispyware is installed, is there anything of
interest--particularly if it names a specific OCX or DLL file in an error
message?

 

[david]

I removed MSAS, deleated the old program files and as much other stuff that
I could find. Then I did a new download, install, set options, and update.
Same no scan result. This is the error log. I do not understand it.

David

7::ln 10:Out of memory::gcasDtServ:ScheduleScans:Update::3/3/2005 7:36:40
AM:1.0.509
0::Library Files - Unsynced; Loading Full
Update::Updates:UserVersionID::0::3/3/2005 7:40:00 AM
0::Could not verify WinTrust::fileC:\Program Files\Microsoft
AntiSpyware\temp.zip::catalogC:\Program Files\Microsoft
AntiSpyware\temp.cat::gcTCPObjLib::modMain:VerifyCatalog::3/3/2005 7:40:10
AM::1.0.509
0:ownloadFileAPI
Error -2147467260::http://download.spynet.com/ASDefinitions/gcThreatAuditScanData.gcz::C:\Program
Files\Microsoft
AntiSpyware\temp.zip::gcTCPObjLib::HTTPownloadFileAPI::3/3/2005 7:40:14
AM::1.0.509
0::Could not verify WinTrust::fileC:\Program Files\Microsoft
AntiSpyware\temp.zip::catalogC:\Program Files\Microsoft
AntiSpyware\temp.cat::gcTCPObjLib::modMain:VerifyCatalog::3/3/2005 7:40:23
AM::1.0.509
0:ownloadFileAPI
Error -2147467260::http://download.spynet.com/ASDefinitions/gcDeterminationData.gcz::C:\Program
Files\Microsoft
AntiSpyware\temp.zip::gcTCPObjLib::HTTPownloadFileAPI::3/3/2005 7:40:25
AM::1.0.509

 

[david]

I sent the error log too fast. After rebooting and trying to run, I get 6
of these:

372::ln 0:Failed to load control 'RichTextBox' from RICHTX32.OCX. Your
version of RICHTX32.OCX may be outdated. Make sure you are using the
version of the control that was provided with your
application.::GIANTAntiSpywareMain:ctlExplorers:LoadExplorer::3/3/2005
8:00:47 AM:XP:1.0.509

I looked at RICHTX32.OCX and it is version 6.1.9782 and has a date modified
of 2/10/05 although its properties show a date of 2/23/04.

David

 

[david]

OK, I registered RICHTX32.OCX and now it scans! I have no idea why the date
modified is 2/10/05 but it was not registered. Oh well.

Now I will work with MSAS and see how I like it.

Thanks for telling me about the error log.

David

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Excellent work! I do wonder about the error related to the zip file earlier
in the error log--but go right ahead and check out the program and lets see
what other anomalies other than the raft of known ones show up!