windows update not running

[JohnR in FL]

i've been attacked, and have begun cleaning up my system. i have windows xp,
service pack 2 and have been running mcafee antivirus, spysweeper and
windowsdefender. i amhaving the following issues:
2 error messages come up on boot-up" cannot find winupdaye.exe...." and then
"cannot load or run winupdate.exe..."
I cannot access windows update from the programs menu(internet explorer
cannot open the web page)
i cannot access any downloads on the microsoft site (internet explorer
cannot open the web page)

Any ideas? thanks

 

[Allan]

i've been attacked, and have begun cleaning up my system. i have windows
xp,
service pack 2 and have been running mcafee antivirus, spysweeper and
windowsdefender. i amhaving the following issues:
2 error messages come up on boot-up" cannot find winupdaye.exe...." and
then
"cannot load or run winupdate.exe..."
I cannot access windows update from the programs menu(internet explorer
cannot open the web page)
i cannot access any downloads on the microsoft site (internet explorer
cannot open the web page)

Any ideas? thanks

Run msconfig.exe and disable unwanted programs in the startup menu.
Winupdate.exe is probably a spyware entry that should be disabled. Search on
a spyware database for information on modules you do not recognize. Some
spyware programs modify your "hosts" file so you cannot access websites
properly.
http://www.ca.com/us/spyware.aspx

 

[JohnR in FL]

OK, I got that disabled, but still have a few problems.

new one (when I try to reply to this post):
Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Buffer overrun detected!
Program C:\WINNT\Explorer.exe
A buffer overrun has been detected which has corrupted the program's
internal state. The program cannot safely continue execution and must now be
terminated.

I still cannot get to the Task Manager, use windows update or access any
downloads on microsofts website.

 

[MowGreen [MVP]]

The system has been *severely* compromised. In this situation it would
behoove you to format and reinstall XP.
Sorry, but that's the only method *you* can use to restore Trust in the
security of the OS at this point in time.

IF you still believe the system can be rescued than you will have to
have an experienced tech work on it. The latest malwares are too
difficult to remove for the average or even above-average PC User.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============

 

[Malke]

OK, I got that disabled, but still have a few problems.

new one (when I try to reply to this post):
Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
Buffer overrun detected!
Program C:\WINNT\Explorer.exe
A buffer overrun has been detected which has corrupted the program's
internal state. The program cannot safely continue execution and must now
be terminated.

I still cannot get to the Task Manager, use windows update or access any
downloads on microsofts website.

I'm in complete agreement with my Brother Mow. You need to back up your data
and flatten this system. From your description, it is doubtful that even an
experienced tech like Mow or I would do anything different. Things have
changed in the World Of Malware and in my very rough estimate 2 out of 3
machines need to have a clean install done now. Yours definitely sounds
like one of those.

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows - What
you will need on-hand

Malke

 

[JohnR in FL]

Thanks guys - I printed out all the info for the clean install, but do I have
to Format (wipe-it-clean) before I boot off the XP CD? Also my computer is a
Gateway, XP was preloaded so I have the one CD that came with it, which is
enough, correct?

 

[Malke]

Thanks guys - I printed out all the info for the clean install, but do I
have
to Format (wipe-it-clean) before I boot off the XP CD? Also my computer
is a Gateway, XP was preloaded so I have the one CD that came with it,
which is enough, correct?

Read the fine websites we gave you.

Read the Gateway manual.

When using a full actual operating system CD, one boots with the XP install
CD and does the partition deletion/format from within the installation
routine. I don't know what Gateway gave you. Check with them.

Malke