task manager won't launch

[Brent]

XP at 5.1.2600; SP1, after applying recommended fixes
task manager will no longer launch from the tool bar.
Right click gets the menu but just closes when task
manager is selected.

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

You have a virus.

See www.dougknox.com, Win XP Utilities, Create Emergency Copies of Critical
XP System Utilities. This small VB Program will create backup, usable
copies of Task Manger, Regedit and MSConfig (named Taskmgr1.exe, Regedit.com
and MSConfig1.exe) in a new folder C:\EmergencyUtil. Many virus programs
will intercept these programs, based on their original file name. The
modified file names, allow them to be run. Open Windows Explorer to
C:\EmergencyUtil and double click the application you need. The next
revision will allow you to browse for the folder you want to place the
backups in.

Additionally, see the Win XP Utilities section for Startup Programs Tracker.
This small utility scans your system for startup programs and running
processes. It also allows you to create a log file that can be copied and
pasted into a newsgroup post. The contents of the program window are also
copied to the Windows Clipboard, automatically.

 

[S.Sengupta]

XP at 5.1.2600; SP1, after applying recommended fixes
task manager will no longer launch from the tool bar.
Right click gets the menu but just closes when task
manager is selected.

Hello!
This behavior can be caused by a virus. One of two:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]
If this is not the case: Check your settings here

Taskmgr.exe should be listed in the %SystemRoot%\system32 directory. If you
cannot find the file, you can extract it from the Windows XP CD. To do so,
you can perform the following steps:

a. Insert your Windows XP CD into your CD-ROM.
b. Click Start, Run, type cmd and press Enter.
c. At the Command Prompt mode, type the following command:

For example, if the drive letter of your CD-ROM is F, you can type the
following commands:

F:
cd \i386
expand taskmgr.ex_ %SystemRoot%\SYSTEM32\taskmgr.exe

If it is a policy setting, run this edit:

Enable the Task Manager (Line 113)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Restore Task Manager, Msconfig and Regedit:

This worm disables NAV, Msconfig, Regedit and Task Manager:
http://www.bitdefender.com/bd/site/virusinfo.php?menu_id=1&v_id=114

Rename regedit.exe to regedit.com then: Download then Merge the edit on
line 251 then delete all the files mentioned in the above link.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

To use the Regedit: Save the REG File to your hard disk. Double click it and
answer yes to the import prompt. REG files can be viewed in Notepad by right
clicking on the file and selecting Edit.
[thanks Kelly/MVP]

With regards,

ssg/pronetworks.org