Programs close spontaneously

[Infoseeker]

Am using Windows XP Pro.

Outlook 2002 (not Outlook Express), MS Internet Explorer 7, and a non-MS
tax prep program suddenly experience errors and have to close. Once booted,
Outlook and the tax program have problems when they first switch internally
from one folder to the next and/or when they link to the web. After automatic
re-booting, the problems go away until the next time the programs are used. I
don't know what triggers the Explorer problem, which is occasional.

Occasionally I receive an error message that may be related:

"Just in time debugging.
An exception runtime error has occured in Script.
Possible debuggers:
New instance of MS Script Editor
Do you want to use the selected debugger?
(yes)
Debug error:Microsoft VBScript runtime errorath not found"

Can anyone tell me what the issues are with the programs closing, and the
runtime debugging, and whether they are related to each other (and how to fix
them)?

Thanks

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

 

[Infoseeker]

Thanks for this suggestion. Unfortunately, a combination of AVG anti-virus
and anti-spyware, Ad-Aware, and Spy Bot did not identify or remove whatever
is causing the problems. Any other ideas?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Long version:

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

2. Run this online scan (in safe mode w/networking, if need be):
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested
logs in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.