Windows cannot access the specified device path or file

  • Thread starter Thread starter tinap21
  • Start date Start date
T

tinap21

Please help!

I downloaded SuperAntiSpyware on my home computer last night. After it ran
its test, it asked that I restart my computer to get rid of the viruses. Once
my computer restarted, I was unable to get into any files, programs, or
Internet Explorer! I kept receiving the error message "Windows cannot access
the specified device, path or file..."

I did my research on the internet on another computer to find out how to get
rid of this message and everyone says that I need to uninstall Internet
Explorer enhanced Security Configuration but the problem is, I CANNOT click
on Add/remove programs in the control pannel because I receive the same error
message nor can I get into my security center!! I also can't get into
Internet Explorer and go through the tools>internet options>security to fix
this problem.

I really do not know much about computers so please someone help!

Thanks!
 
Post here instead:

STUPIDAntiSpyware Support Forums
http://forums.superantispyware.com/

=============
You probably have much more work to do.

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. [WinXP ONLY!! =>] Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan
(only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting requested logs
in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware:
• http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075

• http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
• http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
• http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
• http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
 
I somehow got my other programs and files to open without receiving the error
message, but Internet Explorer or Firefox won't still open (I have Internet
Explorer 8). I get the error message "Windows cannot access the specified
device, path, or file..."

I believe I need to uninstall Internet Exlporer but I cant get into
Add/Remove programs because the same error message comes up.

Is there a way to uninstall Internet Explorer without going through
Add/Remove programs?

I usually just use my computer to get onto the internet and now I cant!
Please help!

PA Bear said:
Post here instead:

STUPIDAntiSpyware Support Forums
http://forums.superantispyware.com/

=============
You probably have much more work to do.

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. [WinXP ONLY!! =>] Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan
(only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting requested logs
in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware:
• http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075

• http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
• http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
• http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
• http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

Please help!

I downloaded STUPIDAntiSpyware on my home computer last night. After it
ran
its test, it asked that I restart my computer to get rid of the viruses.
Once my computer restarted, I was unable to get into any files, programs,
or
Internet Explorer! I kept receiving the error message "Windows cannot
access
the specified device, path or file..."

I did my research on the internet on another computer to find out how to
get
rid of this message and everyone says that I need to uninstall Internet
Explorer enhanced Security Configuration but the problem is, I CANNOT
click
on Add/remove programs in the control pannel because I receive the same
error message nor can I get into my security center!! I also can't get
into
Internet Explorer and go through the tools>internet options>security to
fix
this problem.

I really do not know much about computers so please someone help!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
tinap21 said:
I somehow got my other programs and files to open without receiving theerror
message, but Internet Explorer or Firefox won't still open (I have Internet
Explorer 8). I get the error message "Windows cannot access the specified
device, path, or file..."

I believe I need to uninstall Internet Explorer but I can't get into
Add/Remove programs because the same error message comes up.

Is there a way to uninstall Internet Explorer without going through
Add/Remove programs?

I usually just use my computer to get onto the internet and now I cant!
Please help!
Click to expand...


You think Firefox won't run because IE needs to be reinstalled?

Run these in the order presented:

Malwarebytes© Corporation
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/program/mbam-setup.exe

SuperAntispyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html
 
Uninstalling IE8 is not going to fix your hijackware infection. See my
previous reply.

MS PCSafety provides home users (only) with no-charge support in dealing
with malware infections such as viruses, spyware (including unwanted
software), and adware.
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&prid=7552&st=1

I somehow got my other programs and files to open without receiving the
error message, but Internet Explorer or Firefox won't still open (I have
Internet Explorer 8). I get the error message "Windows cannot access the
specified device, path, or file..."

I believe I need to uninstall Internet Exlporer but I cant get into
Add/Remove programs because the same error message comes up.

Is there a way to uninstall Internet Explorer without going through
Add/Remove programs?

I usually just use my computer to get onto the internet and now I cant!
Please help!

PA Bear said:
Post here instead:

STUPIDAntiSpyware Support Forums
http://forums.superantispyware.com/

=============
You probably have much more work to do.

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription
had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription
has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2. [WinXP ONLY!! =>] Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection'
scan
(only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

3. Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting requested
logs
in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware:
• http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075

• http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
• http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
• http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
• http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002

Please help!

I downloaded STUPIDAntiSpyware on my home computer last night. After it
ran
its test, it asked that I restart my computer to get rid of the viruses.
Once my computer restarted, I was unable to get into any files,
programs,
or
Internet Explorer! I kept receiving the error message "Windows cannot
access
the specified device, path or file..."

I did my research on the internet on another computer to find out how to
get
rid of this message and everyone says that I need to uninstall Internet
Explorer enhanced Security Configuration but the problem is, I CANNOT
click
on Add/remove programs in the control pannel because I receive the same
error message nor can I get into my security center!! I also can't get
into
Internet Explorer and go through the tools>internet options>security to
fix
this problem.

I really do not know much about computers so please someone help!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
tinap21 said:
Please help!

I downloaded SuperAntiSpyware on my home computer last night. After it ran
its test, it asked that I restart my computer to get rid of the viruses. Once
my computer restarted, I was unable to get into any files, programs, or
Internet Explorer! I kept receiving the error message "Windows cannot access
the specified device, path or file..."

I did my research on the internet on another computer to find out how to get
rid of this message and everyone says that I need to uninstall Internet
Explorer enhanced Security Configuration but the problem is, I CANNOT click
on Add/remove programs in the control pannel because I receive the same error
message nor can I get into my security center!! I also can't get into
Internet Explorer and go through the tools>internet options>security to fix
this problem.

I really do not know much about computers so please someone help!

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
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