rundll32.exe problem - path not found...

[Michael Quick]

When trying to access various system utilities such as Control Panel or right
clicking the desktop and trying to get to properties I get the following error :

rundll32.exe
The specified path does not exist.
Check the path, and then try again.

I'm running XP Home (SP1) with a full version install disk (ie, not a recovery
version)

Regedit shows the present path as :

%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\System32\Wbem;D:\Program
Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel

(I'm using an ATI Radeon graphics card)

My Windows directory is on drive d: if this makes a difference (and always has
been)

The problem started after clearing up a virus infection. Everything seems to be
running correctly except this particular problem. I've run numerous virus
checks since getting the problem and all appears clear.

I've also tried the System Restore feature but this makes no difference. Also
run the System File Checker, no difference. My system is fully patched.

I assume some system variable has been amended, can anyone suggest which one?

 

[Guest]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;812340&Product=winx

ms knowledge base article #812340

 

[Michael Quick]

Um, tried that and got another error message :

expand
The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect

Here's what I typed into the Start>Run dialog :

expand e:\i386\rundll32.ex_ d:\windows\rundll32.exe

which in turn was cut and pasted direct from the KB article!

(e: is my cd drive letter and d: is the HD with the Windows directory)

I thought maybe that expand might be corrupted so I've copied the file from the
cd to the windows directory to replace the existing version but that doesn't
make any difference.

Looks like I might have to reinstall windows

Many thanks for your help, much appreciated.