MSCONFIG

[Greg Andrew]

I have a friend who is using Windows XP. PC is running very slow. We found
a tremendous amount of spyware and used Ad-aware to remove everything it
found. We are trying to now access msconfig to see what is starting up when
PC boots; however, when we type msconfig in the run box to execute msconfig
it pops up for a brief second and then closes. I can boot into safe mode
and execute msconfig fine. In safe mode, we have just about everything
un-checked to startup and cannot find what is causing this. I did a search
on Microsoft's web site about this, but was not able to find anything. Any
information anyone has would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

You can get MSCONFIG here:
http://www.svrops.com/svrops/dwnldoth.htm

Also see:

Clean Windows Startup and hidden Startup:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/optimizewindowsstartup.htm

Clean Temporary Internet Files, Cookies and other temporary files:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/optimizewindowstempfiles.htm

Spyware/Virus Removal and Prevention:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/windowsxpsolutions.htm
(Links to online virus scans on the same page)

Check for errors and defragment hard drive:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/optimizewindowsharddrive.htm

Good Luck!
---
How to successfully install Windows XP Service Pack 2:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/winxpsp2install.htm

How to optimize Windows XP, 2000, ME
for the best performance (Step-by-step Visual Guide):
http://www.fixyourwindows.com

 

[Wesley Vogel]

[[When you open System Configuration Utility [MSCONFIG], Registry Editor or
Task Manager, they flash for a second and quit. This symptom is caused by
Viruses.]]

Task Manager, MSCONFIG, or REGEDIT disappear while opening
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/ToolsQuit.htm

Free online virus scans

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

Panda ActiveScan - Free online scanner
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

BitDefender Free Online Virus Scan
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/licence.php

Get Your AVG for free!
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Whatever you use for Anti Virus, keep it updated.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a friend who is using Windows XP. PC is running very slow.
We found a tremendous amount of spyware and used Ad-aware to remove
everything it found. We are trying to now access msconfig to see
what is starting up when PC boots; however, when we type msconfig
in the run box to execute msconfig it pops up for a brief second
and then closes. I can boot into safe mode and execute msconfig
fine. In safe mode, we have just about everything un-checked to
startup and cannot find what is causing this. I did a search on
Microsoft's web site about this, but was not able to find anything.
Any information anyone has would be appreciated.

Thanks

The type of behavior you describe is typical behavior of more than
one virus/worm, the three below being the most common:

W32.Klez
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]

W32.Yaha
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]

W32.Spybot.Worm
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.spybot.worm.html

Because many of the newer viruses and worms, such as the
Spybot mentioned above, can disable antivirus applications whose
definitions aren't kept up-to-date, try using one or more of the 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

Panda ActiveScan - Free online scanner
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. - RAH

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have a friend who is using Windows XP. PC is running very slow. We found
a tremendous amount of spyware and used Ad-aware to remove everything it
found. We are trying to now access msconfig to see what is starting up when
PC boots; however, when we type msconfig in the run box to execute msconfig
it pops up for a brief second and then closes. I can boot into safe mode
and execute msconfig fine. In safe mode, we have just about everything
un-checked to startup and cannot find what is causing this.

This sounds like a virus still around. There are some that have just
this effect. Have your cleaning operations included a thorough scan
with a good AV package, with up to date (ie this week) definitions? Eg
free AVG from www.grisoft.com or free year's trial eTrust from
www.my-etrust.com/microsoft

 

[Greg Andrew]

I am almost certain he ran a virus, with Symantec, check before calling on
me. Anything else you could suggest?

 

[R. McCarty]

Don't depend on a single Anti-Virus vendor/product. Go to one of the
following and run their on-line scan.
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/ Panda
http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp McAfee
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp Trend Micro

Afterwards, go to PestPatrol and run their scan
http://www.pestscan.com/ScanOrTrial.asp

Finally, go to Raxco and download a 30-day trial of Perfect Disk 2000.
Read the instructions on how to configure & run both Offline & Online
scans.
http://www.raxco.com/products/downloadit/perfectdisk2000_download.cfm

I am almost certain he ran a virus, with Symantec, check before calling on
me. Anything else you could suggest?

 

[tc]

My daughter had this problem some time ago and we solved it with McAfee
Stinger.
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
The Symantec online checker was worse than useless at the time.
Terry

I am almost certain he ran a virus, with Symantec, check before calling on
me. Anything else you could suggest?