Msconfig/regedit/task manager closes immediately

[jeff0218]

I have a new problem. When I try to run msconfig, regedit or task manager, they closes immediately. I assume I have a virus. I have run various anti-virus programs and Spybot, (in safe mode also), but nothing fixes the problem.

Anybody have any ideas to help me. Please email.

Thank you.

jeff0218@aol.com

 

[bcastner]

Use the Doug Knox utility mentioned at the bottom of this article:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/ToolsQuit.htm

Or do it yourself by making a new folder, and placing copies of regedit.exe, msconfig.exe, and taskmgr.exe into the new folder. Rename the files redit.com, mscfg.com and tmgr.com

They should then be usable. Task Manager is particularly important to see what alien process is running. Or use Process Explorer:

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml

I any case you need to kill the rogue process.

You should if possible then:

. do two online AV scans. Trend Micro and Panda are good choices.
. Run AdAware with current definitions
. Run Hijack This to see if there are persistent entries

faq608-4650

 

[pmonett]

There are a number of links you can consult on this issue.
Do a thread search for "cannot open msconfig" and you will find many of them.

Here are some :
bitdefender
MVPS

You can also simply rename regedit to something else (i.e. rgdt.exe), that fools the virus and regedit will launch. Same for msconfig (i.e. cnfg.exe).

Pascal.