rundll.exe

[eric hook]

Thanks for all the help I receive here. However, there
is a correction to be made. I was told that rundll.exe
files should not exist on my windows xp computer and I
should run my antivirus. I have since been told by
someone at MSN and Dell that they do in fact exist on
windows xp. Also, my mothers computer (xp) has them as
well, and I thought it highly unlikely that both would
have the same virus. Anyway...Just FYI

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

Thanks for all the help I receive here. However, there
is a correction to be made. I was told that rundll.exe
files should not exist on my windows xp computer and I
should run my antivirus. I have since been told by
someone at MSN and Dell that they do in fact exist on
windows xp. Also, my mothers computer (xp) has them as
well, and I thought it highly unlikely that both would
have the same virus. Anyway...Just FYI

There is no RUNDLL.EXE in a standard Windows XP installation. However,
the file RUNDLL32.EXE is part of Windows XP.

 

[eric hook]

What do you mean. THey seem like the same thing to me. I
purchased a Dell computer. Dont I have a standard
Windows Xp installation?

 

[Delwin Lee [MSFT]]

It's probably just a case of your PC manufacturer giving you incorrect
information. It would indeed be wise to run a full spyware and virus scan.

 

[eric hook]

I am sorry, I am really a novice. I do not understand.

1st, what is the difference in rundll.exe and
rundll32.exe. What do they do.

2nd, is it possible that both a Dell rep and MSN email
support tech would BOTH give me wrong info.

3rd, if you are correct, and I run antivirus and
antispyware, and find nothing, how can I find out how
those files got there, and remove the ones that I don't
need. Do I need to do a complete reinstall of my OS. Do
you think it is worth it. I am really obsessive about
keeping a cleaned up computer.

Thanks for all your help and being understanding about my
lack of experience!!! Eric

 

[Kent W. England [MVP]]

eric hook wrote on 06-Sep-2004 10:19 AM:

I am sorry, I am really a novice. I do not understand.

1st, what is the difference in rundll.exe and
rundll32.exe. What do they do.

There is no rundll.exe in a standard XP distribution. You will find
rundll32.exe in any of the following locations:

%windir%\system32
%windir%\$NtServicePackUninstall$
%windir%\ServicePackFiles\i386
C:\i386

2nd, is it possible that both a Dell rep and MSN email
support tech would BOTH give me wrong info.

Yes, because they could be confused about your Windows version or just
assume you meant to say "rundll32.exe".

3rd, if you are correct, and I run antivirus and
antispyware, and find nothing, how can I find out how
those files got there, and remove the ones that I don't
need. Do I need to do a complete reinstall of my OS. Do
you think it is worth it. I am really obsessive about
keeping a cleaned up computer.

The spyware removal programs should indicate if rundll.exe is a piece of
malware.

 

[Guest]

Thank you, actually u are correct. all of the files are
rundll32, about 20-25 of them. except for 4 slrundll
(not files, I don't know what they are)