task manager/msconfig etc not working

kareng · #1 02-19-2005, 10:57 AM

Trying to clean up programs running in background. Attempted to load task manager by right clicking in task bar and by control/alt/delete methods. Task manager pops up on screen and disappears. Tried Start menu, Run, msconfig and tried regedit also. Screen pops up and disappears immediately. Have scanned for virus using up-to-date Norton Antivirus - no virus found. Used Spybot to remove spyware. Some spyware was not removed because it said programs were running in memory and unable to remove, to run Spyware at restart. Restarted computer and ran spybot again and got error that one of the programs was not removed due it was running in memory. Using Administrator User with no other user logged on. Still unable to get to my task manager or msconfig screen, they just pop up and disappear. Have Zone Alarm firewall active. Have deleted cookies and temporary internet files. Any help appreciated.

bookworm · #2 02-19-2005, 05:38 PM

Try turning off system restore, AV and Spycleaners can't clean restore points, get Ad-Aware Se (free) update and run, can sometimes find what SpyBot misses. Might be better to scan in Safe Mode.
hope this helps.

Miz · #3 02-19-2005, 10:11 PM

You need to answer "yes" when Spybot asks if it can run on the next boot. That way, it will start up on its own, run its scan and remove the rest of the spyware before Windows loads...and loads up the spyware again.

However, if that doesn't work, run Spybot and Ad-Aware in Safe Mode where Windows loads only the bare essentials.

I agree with Bookworm, get Ad-Aware, too. Ad-Aware and Spybot each tend to find things the other misses due to their different ways of scanning.

kareng · #4 02-20-2005, 10:28 AM

Have tried all except the restore point deletion. When I did that it said all my restore points would be deleted and I would not be able to restore computer to an earlier point. At this point, I'm scared to do that unless as a last resort I have to restore. I don't want to restore because I have been having other problems too and don't know when my last "good system" was. Ran spybot, adware, and virus scan in safe mode. Spybot shows error in deleting spyware saying can't find files "wdengine.dll" and "msjava.dll". I was able to access task manager and msconfig file through safe mode so was able to get a list of start up programs which is what I needed. Still not able to access task manager on windows screen though. Thanks for your help.

bookworm · #5 02-20-2005, 05:54 PM

I'd turn off system restore, the virus is bound to be in there, so restoring will not be an option. I know it's scary, but you don't give any specs so don't know if you have win xp cd. if you do you can always do a sfc ( system file check ) to restore any missing win files.

sp_100 · #6 02-21-2005, 07:50 PM

Why does Task Manager, MSCONFIG, or REGEDIT disappear while opening?

Spyware/Virus Removal and Prevention.

Good Luck!

kareng · #7 02-23-2005, 09:12 PM

I turned off system restore and there was a virus found by Norton and removed. Am able to do all functions now and removed some nasty start up programs. Thanks a bunch!

bookworm · #8 02-24-2005, 03:23 PM

Good to hear. Thanks for the reply, it helps others with similar problems to know the soloution worked