regedit and msconfig

[Jane]

Regedit and msconfig will no longer run on my laptop. In my admin
account, they'll start up, but close a second later. In a Limited
account, I get a message that I don't have permissions to open them.

I don't recall changing anything, and nothing like this has ever
happened before. Any ideas on how I can fix this? My C drive and
Windows folders are set to give administrators and System full control.

Thanks.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

You have a virus or other malware.

[[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

UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and anti-spyware
software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode can
be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal themselves
in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode will prevent those
applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or other malware
allowing for easier removal.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Regedit and msconfig will no longer run on my laptop. In my admin
account, they'll start up, but close a second later. In a Limited
account, I get a message that I don't have permissions to open them.

I don't recall changing anything, and nothing like this has ever
happened before. Any ideas on how I can fix this? My C drive and
Windows folders are set to give administrators and System full control.

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

Computer Associates:
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

DialogueScience:
http://www.antivir.ru/english/www_av/

F-Secure:
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

BitDefender
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php

Freedom Online scanner
http://www.freedom.net/viruscenter/index.html


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[valosmith]

*sigh* You're both right. Thanks.

Sadly, malware didn't even cross my mind because it was a fresh install
of XP, I don't use IE, and I hadn't really done anything yet... then I
discovered that I'd mistakenly installed SP1, instead of SP2. That
would do it...

That's pretty impressive, though. I hadn't downloaded anything; I
don't think I went to any shady websites.. and I use Opera. Jeez....
this is my second virus ever, in 10 years.

Oh well, thanks again. I'm glad to be able to clean it without
reformatting.

 

[Wesley Vogel]

It doesn't matter if SP1 or SP2. No firewall or AV protection and if you go
online you can get malware faster than you just read this. ;-(

In my opinion, this should go out in printed form with all new computers.
It should also be bundled with any Windows XP software.

Internet Storm Center: "If you know of someone who is about to receive a
new computer, or if you have received one yourself, please, please read our
new Windows XP survival guide, 'Windows XP: Surviving the First Day. (PDF)'"
http://isc.sans.org/presentations/xpsurvivalguide.pdf

[[Since its release, a number of severe security vulnerabilities have
been discovered in Windows XP. These vulnerabilities are used by
worms and viruses, making it impossible to connect an unsecured,
unpatched system to the Internet for any amount of time without
risking exposure and infection. Users of new computers are faced
with the dilemma of being infected by these worms before being able
to download the necessary patches.

This guide will show how to install Windows XP securely, without
being infected by these worms during the patching process.]]

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In