Problem closing xp-Rundll32.exe

[Joel]

I have a Gateway 500 XL running Windows XP Home with 512 ram. In spite of
up to date AV, enabled firewall, and regular checking with Adaware I caught
some very persistent malware (home search assistant) last week. I think I
have most everything cleaned up now but when I go to close XP I get the
"rundll32.exe program not responding" box.
Researched kp at microsoft and it seems like I have a corrupt file and need
to reload that file from my Windows XP cd.
I have just enough computer knowledge to get myself in trouble. Before I do
it I was wondering if this fix seems appropriate? TIA

 

[Malke]

I have a Gateway 500 XL running Windows XP Home with 512 ram. In
spite of up to date AV, enabled firewall, and regular checking with
Adaware I caught
some very persistent malware (home search assistant) last week. I
think I have most everything cleaned up now but when I go to close XP
I get the "rundll32.exe program not responding" box.
Researched kp at microsoft and it seems like I have a corrupt file and
need to reload that file from my Windows XP cd.
I have just enough computer knowledge to get myself in trouble.
Before I do
it I was wondering if this fix seems appropriate? TIA

Today's malware is very hard to eradicate. Ad-aware alone won't do it.
Download and install Spybot S&D from www.safer-networking.org and also
CWShredder and HijackThis from:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/index.html

CWShredder isn't being updated any more, but will still get rid of
earlier variants. Please read the instructions on all spyware removal
tools carefully. Run your scans in Safe Mode.

Malke

 

[Alex Nichol]

Today's malware is very hard to eradicate. Ad-aware alone won't do it.
Download and install Spybot S&D from www.safer-networking.org and also
CWShredder and HijackThis from:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/index.html

CWShredder isn't being updated any more, but will still get rid of
earlier variants.

And I suggest reading www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
and its advice on how far to go with S&D (An excellent tool, but there
are side effects in its Immunisation) , and caution on HiJack this which
is definitely not something to use without knowing just what you are
doing - preferably as a means of getting advice from an expert

 

[Feng Mao]

Hi Joel,

Thank you for posting!

I noticed that you caught some very persistent malware last week. You may
use System Restore to restore your system to your previous status.

Using System Restore to Restore Windows XP
------------------------------------------

1. Log on to Windows as Administrator or as a member of the Administrators
group.
2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to
System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
3. On the "Welcome to System Restore" page, click "Restore my computer to
an earlier time" (if it is not already selected), and then click Next.
4. On the "Select a Restore Point" page, click the most recent system
checkpoint in the "On this list, click a restore point" list, and then
click Next. A System Restore message may appear that lists configuration
changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
5. On the "Confirm Restore Point Selection" page, click Next. System
Restore restores the previous Windows XP configuration, and then restarts
the computer.
6. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Restoration
Complete page appears.
7. Click OK.

Troubleshooting
---------------

You may inadvertently restore Windows XP to a previous configuration that
you do not want. To undo the restoration:

1. Log on to Windows as Administrator.
2. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to
System Tools, and then click System Restore. System Restore starts.
3. On the "Welcome to System Restore" page, click "Undo my last
restoration", and then click Next. A System Restore message may appear that
lists configuration changes that System Restore will make. Click OK.
4. On the Confirm Restoration Undo page, click Next. System Restore
restores the original Windows XP configuration, and then restarts the
computer.
5. Log on to the computer as Administrator. The System Restore Undo
Complete page appears.
6. Click OK.

For more information about system restore in Windows XP, please refer to
our KB article Q306084: HOW TO: Restore Windows XP to a Previous State
(http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=306084).

I hope that the above information is helpful.

Have a nice day!

Thanks & Regards,

Feng Mao [MSFT], MCSE
Microsoft Online Partner Support

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

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