rundll32.exe at shutdown

[Walter Cohen]

In the past week my XP Pro system has been throwing an error at shutdown
time.
I continually get a popup about RUNDLL32.EXE. The first popup after
pressing shutdown is the one that says RUNDLL32.EXE is ending and to end the
program early to press END NOW (otherwise wait for the progress bar to get
to the end).

This popup then leads to another for the same program stating that
RUNDLL32.EXE is not responding. I click on OK and then shutdown completes
normally by turning the machine off. If I do not respond to the second
popup then it stays on the screen and shutdown will just wait, and wait, and
wait.

Any ideas on what this is and how to fix it?

Thanks,
Walter

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Walter,

It's an indication that some program or processes are not terminating
properly. Rundll32.exe runs library files, it's not the problem but only a
symptom. What you need to do is isolate the real cause(s). Hit
ctrl+shift+escape and end all running applications. Then try shutting down,
see if the same thing happens. If not, then it's one of the programs. If it
does, then the problem is one of the processes. Reboot and repeat, this time
terminating lines on the processes tab. Do one at a time and try shutting
down in between. This should allow you to locate the problem, and perhaps
address it (it's almost always due to some third party software).

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone

 

[Walter Cohen]

Found it. It was some sort of hijack. I brought up MSCONFIG and went into
Startup and found an extra line with BRIDGE.DLL pointing/loading
RUNDLL32.EXE
I deleted the registery key for the entry and re-booted.
Now all is good

Thanks,
Walter

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Walter,

It's a parasite, see:
http://www.pestpatrol.com/PestInfo/w/winfavorites_bridge.asp

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Windows
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone