Can't open msconfig

[kcmbs]

I'm running Windows XP Home and when I click on system configuration utility,
nothing happens. There is no event listed in the event viewer. I am logged
in as owner/adminstrator, so it should not be a rights issue.
Although I can find the utility in winnt/pchealth/binaries, I can't run it
from there, the help and support utility, or the command line.
I've done multple malware/virus scans but have found nothing. I even
downloaded an emergency utility file from an MVP site to create a clean copy
of msconfig.exe, but the same thing happens. Even if there were malware
blocking the program, the clean copy should not have been affected. Any
ideas?

Thanks

kcmbs

 

[db]

maybe its not malware
blocking your efforts
but your anti virals.

try opening msconfig
via safemode.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @hotmail.com
"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[kcmbs]

Same problem in safemode. I also disabled Kaspersky IS temporarily, but had
the same result. This is driving me crazy.

 

[John Wunderlich]

Although I can find the utility in winnt/pchealth/binaries, I
can't run it from there

It should be in the:
C:\Windows\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Binaries
directory.

Does Start->Run->"msconfig" work?

HTH,
John

 

[kcmbs]

It is located at C:\WINNT\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\binaries
It will not run from Start>Run>msconfig
It just gives me the hourglass for a second or two.

 

[Jose]

It should be in the:
 C:\Windows\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Binaries
directory.

Does Start->Run->"msconfig" work?

HTH,
  John

Di

Did I see something that said \winnt? Looks like Windows 2000 or
NT...

I think I remember a long time ago in the 2000 or NT days that I
actually had to download msconfig. I found these unverified "facts":

-msconfig was included in some versions of Windows 95.

-msconfig was in Windows 98 and 98se.

-msconfig was not included in NT nor Windows 2000.

-msconfig is included in ME and XP.

If you use google for: download msconfig, you can find this site to
download it:

http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html

I downloaded it to my desktop and it works fine. Now I will delete it
from my desktop. The properties say it is copyright Microsoft so it
must be fine!

Maybe you can download this one and if it works drop it in the C:
\Windows\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Binaries which is where my "real" XP
msconfig.exe is, or wherever your path takes you.

BTW - Can somebody tell me why I can't see the original post here
unless I show quoted text in the first response from db? When I look
at the message in the groups, I often don't see the original message
and topic, but a reply instead unless I show the quoted text - most
annoying.

 

[Elmo]

I'm running Windows XP Home and when I click on system configuration utility,
nothing happens. There is no event listed in the event viewer. I am logged
in as owner/administrator, so it should not be a rights issue.
Although I can find the utility in Winnt\pchealth\binaries, I can't runit
from there, the Help and Support utility, or the command line.
I've done multiple malware/virus scans but have found nothing. I even
downloaded an emergency utility file from an MVP site to create a cleancopy
of msconfig.exe, but the same thing happens. Even if there were malware
blocking the program, the clean copy should not have been affected. Any
ideas?

Thanks

kcmbs

Make a copy of the file with a different name and see if it can be run.
Malware could certainly be blocking the file from running..

Install, update and run these:

Malwarebytes© Corporation
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/program/mbam-setup.exe

SuperAntispyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

 

[db]

since it doesn't
work in safe mode
either,

then you may have
additional issues
with other core
system files but
yet to be discovered.

therefore, I recommend
a repair install or a
sfc /scannow.

but before doing the
above, perhaps it wouldn't
be a bad idea to run a quick
check to ensure your
system files are reconciled
with the master file table.

perhaps, a chkdsk will
help the system and the
msconfig to engage.

so boot with a win cd
and from the disk prompt
and via the recovery
console run the following
before repairing the
system core:

chkdsk /p

if the check proves
futile then a repair
install should do the
trick for you.
--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @hotmail.com
"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[kcmbs]

Downloaded and ran malware scan, no infections.
Tried renaming msconfig, still won't execute.

 

[Elmo]

Downloaded and ran malware scan, no infections.
Tried renaming msconfig, still won't execute.

A Google search netted quite a few articles on the subject:

Look for a file named C:\boot
http://www.thetechguide.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t9901.html

Almost all causes end up being malware. You might look for other
suggestions with this Google search:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=msconfig+won't+run&btnG=Search

 

[kcmbs]

Turns out the boot configuration was bad. I deleted and recreated the
boot.ini file.
Problem solved.
Thanks for everyone's input.