Morrow said:
I am using Window XP Pro. On start up I get an error. Rundll Error
loading
C:\Program The specified module cound not be found. What does this
mean and how can I stop it.
It means that something is set to start up with Windows but the program
is gone so you get the error. Perhaps you've cleaned up malware or
uninstalled something and there is still a reference to it in Startup.
Go to Start>Run and type (without quotes) "msconfig" [Enter]. Look on
the Startup tab and find the probably culprit. Uncheck the box next to
its name, apply and OK out. You don't need to restart immediately, but
when you do you'll get a dialog box saying you've used the System
Configuration Utility. Just tick the box that says, "don't bother me
about this".
If you haven't scanned for spyware, it would be a Good Idea. Here are
general maintenance-cleanup steps:
1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2003)
antivirus using updated definitions;
2) remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy
(
www.safer-networking.org) and Ad-aware (
www.lavasoftusa.com). These
programs are free, so use them both since they complement each other.
There is a new version of CWShredder from
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html. I would
not install the other Intermute programs, however. Alternately, there
are CoolWebSearch malware removal steps at
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_cwsremoval.html. A combination of
HijackThis and About:Buster (
http://www.majorgeeks.com) works well in
removing homepage hijackers. Always read the instructions before
running a spyware removal tool. Be sure to update these programs before
running, and it is a good idea to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode.
Make sure you are able to see all hidden files and extensions (View tab
in Folder Options);
3) If you are running Windows ME or XP, you should disable/enable System
Restore because malware will be in the Restore Points. With ME, you
must disable System Restore completely. With XP, you can delete all but
the most recent (presumably clean) System Restore point from the More
Options section of Disk Cleanup (Run>cleanmgr).
4) delete temporary and Temporary Internet Files;
5) stop unnecessary services/programs from starting with Windows - see
www.blackviper.com for services info and
www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm for programs info;
6) look in Event Viewer for clues;
7) make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update;
8) run a firewall.
Malke
