MSCONFIG CANNOT BE REVIVED

[Guest]

I have written about this problem earlier but have found no solution.
--
In short: MSCONFIG in the computer (WIN XP Home) does not run,
have reinstalled it, virus checked, spyware checked, registry checked,
googled for days and tested all possible solutions.
This forum, because it is stricly Windows XP, is my last hope.

Before the msconfig problem, the computer was totally reformatted and newly
installed with all original Hewlett Packard (Compaq Presario) software.
It is a total pain. Keep in mind I have already done the obvious, so in
relaity I am hoping for a miracle cure. I am ok if someone suggests a Windows
registry edit.

 

[Guest]

Hi,
Let's look at your configuration. Does it look something like this?
Path to *.exe: C:\WINDOWS\$NtServicePackUnistall$\msconfig.exe
Path to *.chm: C:\WINDOWS\Help\msconfig.chm
Path to *.pf: C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch\MSCONFIG.EXE-35E4DAE9.pf
Path to *.exe: C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386\msconfig.exe
Path to *.exe: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\msconfig.exe

Registry should look something like:
\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig
*\services
*\startupfolder
*\startupreg
*\state
note: servives, startupfolder, & startupreg should only have
"{Default,REG_SZ,(value not set)}"
note: state controls which values are run at startup.

The version in PCHealth directory is the actual one that executes. It's size
should be 155kbs.

We'll go from there after setup is confirmed.

Thanks.

 

[QiQo]

After reading many threads on this issue I am glad that perhaps someone
might know an answer.
I've come across the exact same issue. After a fresh reinstall msconfig
does not work. No viruses or whatever junk is present. Other stuff like
Regedit runs fine.
Upon checking the registry values that should be present in
HKLM....\Shared tools, I found out that there aren't any entries for
MSConfig.
So how to proceed?

 

[D@ny]

After reading many threads on this issue I am glad that perhaps
someone might know an answer.
I've come across the exact same issue. After a fresh reinstall
msconfig does not work. No viruses or whatever junk is present. Other
stuff like Regedit runs fine.
Upon checking the registry values that should be present in
HKLM....\Shared tools, I found out that there aren't any entries for
MSConfig.
So how to proceed?

Try installing the update KB906569 that adds the Tools tab to
Msconfig.exe:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...FamilyID=9689f6e9-aded-44b8-bbbb-beae1b4a4bc9

Regards

 

[Kelly]

To extract a new copy:

Go to Start/Run/CMD. Insert your XP CD into the drive and enter the
following command:

EXPAND -R X:\I386\MSCONFIG.EX_ Z:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\BINARIES

This will extract a new copy of the MSCONFIG.EXE from the CD.

Could be caused by several factors:

Msconfig won't run:
Trojan.Ahero.
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/trojan.ahero.html

This issue has been traced to an improperly formatted BOOT.INI file. This
is a hidden file, usually in the root directory of the C: drive.

This file can be opened in Notepad. A typical BOOT.INI file looks like
this:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP
Professional" /fastdetect
C:\="Previous Operating System on C:"

One specific issue that was noted was multiple "operating systems" sections.
If you have any questions, post the contents of your BOOT.INI file. If
you're not sure what you're doing, don't mess with it, as you could render
the machine non-bootable.

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[Kelly]

Another option: Create a working copy of Msconfig: Line 35
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[QiQo]

Update: Extraction from the CD also didn't do the trick!!
Still need to check my boot.ini.

 

[QiQo]

Sorry for my late reaction. Been on a bizz trip for a week.

Both the MS Hotfix and the emergency repair utility are a no-go. I
still need to try to extract a copy from the CD or check the boot.ini
file.

After a try t run it via start, run..., I saw in the process tab of
taskmanager that msconfig is actually running and absorbing about 8.5
MB of memory. It will not become visible, however.
I'll keep you posted of the findings.

 

[QiQo]

Further update. I checked my boot.ini file. Below is the contents:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

I would say looks OK.

 

[QiQo]

I have tried some more things. When I run msconfig it doesn't show. But
checking the Task Manager revelead that it is running as a process,
consuming about 5 Megs of memory.

Next I checked some more applications. I found that the same behaviour
is also shown by mspaint.exe, mobsync.exe and defrag.exe (this one
shows but cannot be used).

They all work perfectly in Safe Mode (including msconfig). I will run
an extensive spyware / virus check with several removers and verify
whether my machine is really "bug"free.

If the machine is free of intruders, I will try to find out what other
process or application is blocking the others.

Keep you updated.