Strange message when desktop comes up

[Guest]

I am using Windows XP Home Edition. Just a few days ago, I started getting
an odd message right when the computer desktop comes up. It is inside a box
named "RUNDLL". Inside the box it says, "Error loading
C:\Progra~1\UNINST~1.DLL. Below that it says, "The specified module could
not be found". I have tried to search but "come up empty".

Has anyone else had this happen and could advise me on how to remedy it?
Thank you!

 

[Guest]

looks like there may be some startup in your msconfig that needs to be
disabled. in any case windows is not loading it anyways, hence the friendly
warning. go to start > run > msconfig > startup tab > disable the line item
that resembles the erroneous filename.

 

[Guest]

"databaseben", thanks for your suggestion. However, when I went to the
startup tab in "msconfig", that file name was not listed. Since, as you say,
it doesn't load anything anyway, should I just consider it a "nuisance" item,
click "OK" and forget about it?

 

[Enkidu]

I am using Windows XP Home Edition. Just a few days ago, I started getting
an odd message right when the computer desktop comes up. It is inside a box
named "RUNDLL". Inside the box it says, "Error loading
C:\Progra~1\UNINST~1.DLL. Below that it says, "The specified module could
not be found". I have tried to search but "come up empty".

Has anyone else had this happen and could advise me on how to remedy it?
Thank you!

From the names you give (Progra~1 and Uninst~1.dll) these are the
shortened (8.3) names of things that start with "Progr..." and "Uninst..."

The "Progr..." is probably "Program Files". So I would look for entries
like "C:\Program Files\Uninst......" in msconfig. If you find something,
report back before deleting it!

Cheers,

Cliff

 

[Guest]

Hey, Cliff, thanks for writing too. I went back to the msconfig start tab
and really went through it thoroughly a second time. The goofy message I
(still) get on my desktop is nowhere in the files. Of course, there are
plenty of "Program" files but not one "uninstall" (or anything similar to
"uninstall") anywhere. My computer has done some strange things to me in the
past, but this is probably the weirdest. But as "databaseben" said, since
Windows can't seem to find it to load it anyway, it doesn't appear to be a
hazard.

Thanks to both you and databaseben for your input! I'm a computer
"semi-dummy" and didn't know about accessing the "msconfig" file. But it
appears to have some very important "execute" files that I will not go near.
But I did get some education!

 

[Richard]

Have you recently uninstalled a program? If so it sounds as if
there are some left over files, and when XP tries to load the
program, of course it can't.

If you have uninstalled a program, look for that name in the startup tab
in msconfig

You could also deselect all startup programs, and then add them back one at
a time
to discover which one it is. If you have many startup programs this could
take
some time...its also good to weed out any startup programs that you don't
really need,
you computer will boot faster, and you'll have less problems.

here is a link to discover what some startup programs might be and if you
really them.
Of course you want your anti-virus running at startup

http://www.lafn.org/webconnect/mentor/startup/PENINDEX.HTM

Also you can type the name into Google and search that way.

Richard




"MtnLadyinBlackHills1986"

 

[Guest]

Thanks for writing, Richard. Yes, I did uninstall my Ad-Aware program
recently, as it didn't work anymore. It got to about 2,300 files checked and
would then just lock up. So I uninstalled it and re-installed the program
off the main website. But I still have the same problem. I removed the old
one using "Add or Remove Programs or Windows Components". I also looked in
Windows Explorer to see if there were any other files from the program left
behind and there weren't any.

I originally wrote just to figure out this goofy desktop message, but I've
had trouble before that. It all seemed to start when I got what must be a
massive Automatic Windows Update. That (expletives deleted) update has tied
up my system for literally days and is only at 40%. It also locks up the
computer periodically, then "releases" it again and I can use the computer
again. I don't know if this is what is behind all this, but I'm considering
not using the computer until that update is finally installed - just turn on
the CPU and walk away and leave it. One question, though, since it initially
installed it on the computer and is now downloading, you don't need to have
the Internet turned on, do you? I certainly don't want to do that.

Anyway, I got off the subject.. Sorry. There are no files referring to
Ad-Aware in msconfig and it is only accessed from my desktop icon, not from a
startup tray. I only have one file on my startup that doesn't even look
vaguely familiar but it is a Windows file. It doesn't say anything about
"Programs" or "Uninstall". Its name is: "dumprep 0 -u" and its command is
"%systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -u". Do you know what this is? I missed it
when I searched before because I was looking for "Program" and "Uninstall".
I do have a lot of items on my startup (some I wasn't even aware of). If I
ever get that Windows update installed, I think I will take your advice and
remove all the startup items and see which one might be causing that original
strange message. I see the "Disable All" on the tab but I only see "Enable
All" as the only other option. Can you re-add them in individually?

I apologize for taking a silly little quirk on my desktop and making it into
a complicated problem. But this slow loading of that Windows update and
periodically being locked out of my computer is getting very annoying.

Richard, if you or anyone else can give me more input on my other problems,
I would really appreciate it. If I can get my system to work right again,
I'll follow your suggestion about the "process of elimination" on my desktop
error message. But first I have to get that update installed (as I've said
numerous times in here! LOL!) and then I have to go back to Lavasoft and go
through their Help instructions to see why Ad-Aware is "hanging up". (It's'
always worked well before this.)

Again, I apologize for this long entry.... "God created a PC (pussy cat)
and man created a PC (personal computer). I'll take God's creation ANY DAY!"

 

[Richard]

That (expletives deleted) update has tied up my system for literally
are you on a dial up account?

the Internet turned on, do you?

If your downloading then you must be online. This is kinda obvious, perhaps
I
missed what your saying here.

All" as the only other option. Can you re-add them in individually?

yes, using the mouse just click in the box to add or remove the green check
mark

see the link below, I found this info by typing "dumprep 0 -u" (without ")
in Google

http://www.greatis.com/appdata/a/_/_systemroot__system32_dumprep 0 -k.htm

maybe it would be better after the update to disable the startup items, it
could be one
of them that is creating problems with Ad-Aware.

One general rule is to NOT install software on a computer that has problems,
unless
it to help with the problem, which in this case could be so now that I think
about it.

But I would definitely disable startup items first, when installing new
software, or updates
you don't want a bunch of programs running in the background


Richard






"MtnLadyinBlackHills1986"

 

[Guest]

yeh, it sounds like there wasn't a clean uninstallation and the registry is
still referencing that .dll file that cannot load. Since you said that you
don't have a lot expertise it wouldn't be a bad idea to get to know
softwares that cleanup and tuneup your pc. You should tryout softwares like
system mechanic which is a trial ware free for 30 days. However it would be
a good investment to buy a copy of it for your personal use. I think i even
saw it advertised at one of the computer stores, maybe circuit city or comp
usa, that after you get the rebates, the software is free. but you can
download a trial copy from the website, run all the neato options. I think
that the error message and other problems will be fixed right up. There is
another that you can try out too that can be found at compu-rx.com This is
smaller than system mechanic but its free. You can play with that too if you
want. I hope these suggestions will help you. Keep in mind that there are a
lot of free programs that claim to tuneup your system. But some of them are
layden with trojans. Stick to the reputable vendors and don't accept any
"free offers to clean up your registry" or beleive any warnings from websites
stating you hava a problem and you need to "click" on a button provided to
you.... If you want to know about others, simply post a new msg here and i am
sure that everyone will recommend something that has worked for them.....


~~~~~~~~~~~
"To be a 0 or is it to be the 1 ?
That is the data".......W.Gatespeare

 

[Guest]

Thank you both, Richard and databaseben, for all your help. In answer to
your question, Richard, "yes, I do have dial-up (it's all I can afford right
now)." This download has become a real drag (literally). Since yesterday,
when it was at 43%, it's been working at blinding speed and this morning is
now at 49%. At this rate, it may finish in time for Labor Day (if I'm
lucky). Anyway, I have to admit that I shouldn't have uninstalled and
re-installed a program on a computer already having problems. After doing
that braindead action, I think I'll demote myself from "semi computer
literate" to "computer illerate". I won't do anything with the Ad-Aware
program until this update finishes or my CPU wears out, whichever happens
first. I'll use the Internet as litle as possible in order to not slow the
update up even more.

Thank you for your suggestions, databaseben. When the download is done, I
will try the free tune-up program you gave me the information for. If that
doesn't work, I'll try the free trial of the other program. I don't ususally
do those because I somehow always end up with some kind of bill. If I get
some extra money, I will buy the better program if it isn't too expensive.
As I said before, I'm pretty computer illerate, but I do know not to go for
those "get a free computer tune-up" or "click the button to get a free
computer cleanup". I know those things are loaded with hacker "baddies".

Anyway, I'll just "limp along" with this thing for now. I will write a
message later, with your names in the subject (so you'll know it's me) and
let you know how things turn out. You deserve that much after being so
patient and helpful to me. I'll end now and let you spend your time helping
other folks. By the way, my name is "Sue". After all you've done, I feel
you should at least know the name of the person you've been dealing with.
Thank you again, both of you.

 

[Guest]

ok sue.... good luck n happy trails 2u

 

[Guest]

Before closing here are some free programs that i use and are safe and will
help you to:

http://filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

The program above will clean your registry and your system. (diarectic for
bad files)..


http://www.majorgeeks.com/NTREGOPT_d4824.html

The program above will optimize your registry...

http://www.download.com/Spyware-Ter...541.html?part=dl-SpywareTe&subj=dl&tag=button

The program above is a good antispyware, antiadware. And if you download
the clam antivirus add-in, it is a good all in one protector that monitors in
real time. Be sur to disable any others that you may have that are running
in real time. Running 2 of them in real time will slow your system down.

 

[Guest]

Thank you, databaseben, for giving me the additional programs to help me out!
You've been great! I hope to talk to you again someday, but this time
telling you that I'm "fixed"! LOL

Sue