Notepad randomly opens programs

[Quentin]

Recently, every so often during reboot after login while the desktop is
loading, Notepad appears and has opened command.com.

Just now, I have been trying to implement the fix for an Active X problem
described on the MS website (MicrosoftFixit50287.msi) and when I try to
install it instead of the "Wizard" coming up as outlined in the article, the
only thing that happens is Notepad opens up and displays the file contents.

What the heck is going on? Have I been "attacked" and none of my security
software can identify the threat? Thanx for any help or ideas.

 

[Elmo]

Recently, every so often during reboot after login while the desktop is
loading, Notepad appears and has opened command.com.

Just now, I have been trying to implement the fix for an Active X problem
described on the MS website (MicrosoftFixit50287.msi) and when I try to
install it instead of the "Wizard" coming up as outlined in the article, the
only thing that happens is Notepad opens up and displays the file contents.

What the heck is going on? Have I been "attacked" and none of my security
software can identify the threat? Thanks for any help or ideas.

Use the .msi association fix here.. maybe the .com association too:

http://dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

Still, command.com shouldn't be opening with any program at startup.
You might look through the MSconfig Startup tab for any reference to
command.com

It's possible a program is trying to use command.com at startup and
command.com might not be shown. In that case, try disabling some
startup items in MSconfig, restart and see if that helps. You can
eventually narrow down the offending program and disable it, or
uninstall, reinstall its components.

 

[Quentin]

Thank you for directing me to the Doug Knox website. I down loaded his fixes
for .com and .msi file associations and the problem has been solved.

I'm guessing things like this don't always have explanations, so I will just
chalk it up to a close encounter with one of the many "mysteries" that make
up the amusement park called "Windows". Thank you for the outstanging
assistance.

 

[Elmo]

Thank you for directing me to the Doug Knox website. I downloaded his fixes
for .com and .msi file associations and the problem has been solved.

I'm guessing things like this don't always have explanations, so I will just
chalk it up to a close encounter with one of the many "mysteries" that make
up the amusement park called "Windows". Thank you for the outstanding
assistance.

Thanks for reporting back. That could have been caused by malware, an
update, or just a hd glitch, I imagine. I'm just glad the solution was
simple.

 

[Allan]

Recently, every so often during reboot after login while the desktop is
loading, Notepad appears and has opened command.com.

Just now, I have been trying to implement the fix for an Active X problem
described on the MS website (MicrosoftFixit50287.msi) and when I try to
install it instead of the "Wizard" coming up as outlined in the article,
the
only thing that happens is Notepad opens up and displays the file
contents.

What the heck is going on? Have I been "attacked" and none of my security
software can identify the threat? Thanx for any help or ideas.

I am glad you got your file associations problem fixed. As for the ActiveX
automatic workaround, I ran that myself to avoid having to enter all of
those clsid's manually. When MS comes out with a software patch to address
this problem you may want to undo the workaround by running the
corresponding `undo' fixit tool.

 

[Allan]

Recently, every so often during reboot after login while the desktop is
loading, Notepad appears and has opened command.com.

Just now, I have been trying to implement the fix for an Active X problem
described on the MS website (MicrosoftFixit50287.msi) and when I try to
install it instead of the "Wizard" coming up as outlined in the article,
the
only thing that happens is Notepad opens up and displays the file
contents.

What the heck is going on? Have I been "attacked" and none of my security
software can identify the threat? Thanx for any help or ideas.

Correction to my previous post, you do not need the July 2009 ActiveX
killbits hotfix as long as you have already run the above Fixit. If you do
install the hotfix it will basically do nothing for you but it will not harm
anything either (KB973346). This is assuming also that you have installed
previous ActiveX killbit updates. (This also does not affect the MS Office
Web Control ActiveX.)