Could not load or run C:\Program

R

Ray

Yesterday, I visited a website and a lot of pop-up screens came up. My MS
AntiSpyware and Lavasoft Ad-Ware SE detected and caught a number of spyware
and/or adware. Today, after I switch on the computer, an error message
displays that Could not load or run C:\Program specified in registry at
Windows start-up. Can someone advise how to get rid of this issue.

Thanks,

Ray
 
R

Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers

Hi Ray,

One of the attempts installed an invalid registry string under one of these
keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg

You will need to pick through them and delete the invalid one. If you want
to post the keys for assistance, then start/run regedit, expand the branches
to each key (do this one at a time). Click on the key, then on file/export.
Give it any name, then save to the desktop. Once you have saved all the
keys, close the registry editor. Right-click one of the saved files on the
desktop, choose edit, it should open in notepad. Click edit/select
all/edit/copy. Open a response to this post and click in the message text
area. Hit ctrl+v to paste the contents. Repeat for the other saved keys,
then send the post for examination.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
P

Plato

Ray said:
Yesterday, I visited a website and a lot of pop-up screens came up. My MS
AntiSpyware and Lavasoft Ad-Ware SE detected and caught a number of spyware
and/or adware. Today, after I switch on the computer, an error message
displays that Could not load or run C:\Program specified in registry at
Windows start-up. Can someone advise how to get rid of this issue.
Click to expand...

One might try a previous restore point. Cant hurt.
 
R

Ray

Rick,

Thanks for your good advice.

I believe I have located the error. I ran System Configuration Utility and
in Startup tab, I found a Startup Item, PROGRAM. Its command is C:\PROGRAM
C:\PROGRAM and the Location is SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows. Once I uncheck this item, the error has gone.

Then, I ran registry editor. Under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg,
there are two sub-folders: ICQLite and Run. ICQLite is one of unchecked
item in Startup tab of System Configuration Utility. I exported the name,
command, to the desktop and open it with following contents.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\Run]
"key"="SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\Windows"
"item"="PROGRAM "
"hkey"="HKCU"
"command"="C:\\PROGRAM C:\\PROGRAM "
"inimapping"="1"

Should I delete the sub-folder, Run, or just the name, command, under the
sub-folder, Run. As ICQLite is also an unchecked item, should I also delete
the sub-folder, ICQLite.

One thing I don't understand is that the command location indicated in
System Configuration Utility is SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows while the actual command is located in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg. I
also checked SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows and could
not find it. Do you have any idea why it happens?

Thanks,

Ray
 
K

Kelly

Am not Rick.....

One is a listing of run items stemming from msconfig and the other is
holding the items listed there after unchecking.

Tip: Clear Disabled Items from Msconfig Startup and Selective Startup (Line
148)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

However, removing the above mentioned won't help you. The cleaners you used
did not do the proper job. Run this combo:

Run Ad-Aware SE, Spybot and HijackThis:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

Note: Update the first two programs, once installed, before running.

Good luck and keep us posted. Rick will be back around early morning.

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com


Ray said:
Rick,

Thanks for your good advice.

I believe I have located the error. I ran System Configuration Utility
and in Startup tab, I found a Startup Item, PROGRAM. Its command is
C:\PROGRAM C:\PROGRAM and the Location is SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows. Once I uncheck this item, the error has gone.

Then, I ran registry editor. Under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg,
there are two sub-folders: ICQLite and Run. ICQLite is one of unchecked
item in Startup tab of System Configuration Utility. I exported the name,
command, to the desktop and open it with following contents.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared
Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\Run]
"key"="SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\Windows"
"item"="PROGRAM "
"hkey"="HKCU"
"command"="C:\\PROGRAM C:\\PROGRAM "
"inimapping"="1"

Should I delete the sub-folder, Run, or just the name, command, under the
sub-folder, Run. As ICQLite is also an unchecked item, should I also
delete the sub-folder, ICQLite.

One thing I don't understand is that the command location indicated in
System Configuration Utility is SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows while the actual command is located in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg. I
also checked SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows and
could not find it. Do you have any idea why it happens?

Thanks,

Ray




Rick "Nutcase" Rogers said:
Hi Ray,

One of the attempts installed an invalid registry string under one of
these keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg

You will need to pick through them and delete the invalid one. If you
want to post the keys for assistance, then start/run regedit, expand the
branches to each key (do this one at a time). Click on the key, then on
file/export. Give it any name, then save to the desktop. Once you have
saved all the keys, close the registry editor. Right-click one of the
saved files on the desktop, choose edit, it should open in notepad. Click
edit/select all/edit/copy. Open a response to this post and click in the
message text area. Hit ctrl+v to paste the contents. Repeat for the other
saved keys, then send the post for examination.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
R

Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers

Am not Rick.....

Good thing said:
Rick will be back around early morning.
Click to expand...

Guess I'm getting too predictable in my old age....

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

Kelly said:
Am not Rick.....

One is a listing of run items stemming from msconfig and the other is
holding the items listed there after unchecking.

Tip: Clear Disabled Items from Msconfig Startup and Selective Startup
(Line 148)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

However, removing the above mentioned won't help you. The cleaners you
used did not do the proper job. Run this combo:

Run Ad-Aware SE, Spybot and HijackThis:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

Note: Update the first two programs, once installed, before running.

Good luck and keep us posted. Rick will be back around early morning.

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com


Ray said:
Rick,

Thanks for your good advice.

I believe I have located the error. I ran System Configuration Utility
and in Startup tab, I found a Startup Item, PROGRAM. Its command is
C:\PROGRAM C:\PROGRAM and the Location is SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows. Once I uncheck this item, the error has gone.

Then, I ran registry editor. Under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg,
there are two sub-folders: ICQLite and Run. ICQLite is one of unchecked
item in Startup tab of System Configuration Utility. I exported the
name, command, to the desktop and open it with following contents.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared
Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\Run]
"key"="SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\Windows"
"item"="PROGRAM "
"hkey"="HKCU"
"command"="C:\\PROGRAM C:\\PROGRAM "
"inimapping"="1"

Should I delete the sub-folder, Run, or just the name, command, under the
sub-folder, Run. As ICQLite is also an unchecked item, should I also
delete the sub-folder, ICQLite.

One thing I don't understand is that the command location indicated in
System Configuration Utility is SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows while the actual command is located in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg.
I also checked SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows and
could not find it. Do you have any idea why it happens?

Thanks,

Ray




Rick "Nutcase" Rogers said:
Hi Ray,

One of the attempts installed an invalid registry string under one of
these keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg

You will need to pick through them and delete the invalid one. If you
want to post the keys for assistance, then start/run regedit, expand the
branches to each key (do this one at a time). Click on the key, then on
file/export. Give it any name, then save to the desktop. Once you have
saved all the keys, close the registry editor. Right-click one of the
saved files on the desktop, choose edit, it should open in notepad.
Click edit/select all/edit/copy. Open a response to this post and click
in the message text area. Hit ctrl+v to paste the contents. Repeat for
the other saved keys, then send the post for examination.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

Yesterday, I visited a website and a lot of pop-up screens came up. My
MS AntiSpyware and Lavasoft Ad-Ware SE detected and caught a number of
spyware and/or adware. Today, after I switch on the computer, an error
message displays that Could not load or run C:\Program specified in
registry at Windows start-up. Can someone advise how to get rid of
this issue.

Thanks,

Ray
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
R

Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers

Hi Ray,

Yep, you've got it, that's definitely an invalid entry (unless you have a
file called program.exe on the root of C:\, but that would be another
issue). You can just delete that entry (sub-folder and all, it's useless as
is). As Kelly has mentioned, where it is now is because you unchecked the
entry. You will find that if you were to rerun msconfig and re-enable it, it
will go back to the run key listings in HKLM.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

Ray said:
Rick,

Thanks for your good advice.

I believe I have located the error. I ran System Configuration Utility
and in Startup tab, I found a Startup Item, PROGRAM. Its command is
C:\PROGRAM C:\PROGRAM and the Location is SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows. Once I uncheck this item, the error has gone.

Then, I ran registry editor. Under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg,
there are two sub-folders: ICQLite and Run. ICQLite is one of unchecked
item in Startup tab of System Configuration Utility. I exported the name,
command, to the desktop and open it with following contents.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared
Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\Run]
"key"="SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\Windows"
"item"="PROGRAM "
"hkey"="HKCU"
"command"="C:\\PROGRAM C:\\PROGRAM "
"inimapping"="1"

Should I delete the sub-folder, Run, or just the name, command, under the
sub-folder, Run. As ICQLite is also an unchecked item, should I also
delete the sub-folder, ICQLite.

One thing I don't understand is that the command location indicated in
System Configuration Utility is SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows while the actual command is located in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg. I
also checked SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows and
could not find it. Do you have any idea why it happens?

Thanks,

Ray




Rick "Nutcase" Rogers said:
Hi Ray,

One of the attempts installed an invalid registry string under one of
these keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg

You will need to pick through them and delete the invalid one. If you
want to post the keys for assistance, then start/run regedit, expand the
branches to each key (do this one at a time). Click on the key, then on
file/export. Give it any name, then save to the desktop. Once you have
saved all the keys, close the registry editor. Right-click one of the
saved files on the desktop, choose edit, it should open in notepad. Click
edit/select all/edit/copy. Open a response to this post and click in the
message text area. Hit ctrl+v to paste the contents. Repeat for the other
saved keys, then send the post for examination.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
K

Kelly

<LOL> Sure, you would be his type (good people), just not in the way you
meant. <w>

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com


Rick "Nutcase" Rogers said:
Am not Rick.....
Click to expand...

Good thing said:
Rick will be back around early morning.
Click to expand...

Guess I'm getting too predictable in my old age....

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

Kelly said:
Am not Rick.....

One is a listing of run items stemming from msconfig and the other is
holding the items listed there after unchecking.

Tip: Clear Disabled Items from Msconfig Startup and Selective Startup
(Line 148)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

However, removing the above mentioned won't help you. The cleaners you
used did not do the proper job. Run this combo:

Run Ad-Aware SE, Spybot and HijackThis:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

Note: Update the first two programs, once installed, before running.

Good luck and keep us posted. Rick will be back around early morning.

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com


Ray said:
Rick,

Thanks for your good advice.

I believe I have located the error. I ran System Configuration Utility
and in Startup tab, I found a Startup Item, PROGRAM. Its command is
C:\PROGRAM C:\PROGRAM and the Location is SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows. Once I uncheck this item, the error has
gone.

Then, I ran registry editor. Under
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg,
there are two sub-folders: ICQLite and Run. ICQLite is one of unchecked
item in Startup tab of System Configuration Utility. I exported the
name, command, to the desktop and open it with following contents.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared
Tools\MSConfig\startupreg\Run]
"key"="SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion\\Windows"
"item"="PROGRAM "
"hkey"="HKCU"
"command"="C:\\PROGRAM C:\\PROGRAM "
"inimapping"="1"

Should I delete the sub-folder, Run, or just the name, command, under
the sub-folder, Run. As ICQLite is also an unchecked item, should I
also delete the sub-folder, ICQLite.

One thing I don't understand is that the command location indicated in
System Configuration Utility is SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
NT\CurrentVersion\Windows while the actual command is located in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg.
I also checked SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows and
could not find it. Do you have any idea why it happens?

Thanks,

Ray




Hi Ray,

One of the attempts installed an invalid registry string under one of
these keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSConfig\startupreg

You will need to pick through them and delete the invalid one. If you
want to post the keys for assistance, then start/run regedit, expand
the branches to each key (do this one at a time). Click on the key,
then on file/export. Give it any name, then save to the desktop. Once
you have saved all the keys, close the registry editor. Right-click one
of the saved files on the desktop, choose edit, it should open in
notepad. Click edit/select all/edit/copy. Open a response to this post
and click in the message text area. Hit ctrl+v to paste the contents.
Repeat for the other saved keys, then send the post for examination.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

Yesterday, I visited a website and a lot of pop-up screens came up.
My MS AntiSpyware and Lavasoft Ad-Ware SE detected and caught a number
of spyware and/or adware. Today, after I switch on the computer, an
error message displays that Could not load or run C:\Program specified
in registry at Windows start-up. Can someone advise how to get rid of
this issue.

Thanks,

Ray
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 

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