Notepad, Windows Help, System Restore Wont Open

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05-07-2004, 10:10 PM
atiVidia

:helpsmile:

i click notepad, and it flashes open and quickly closes. i click windows help and it doesnt load at all... im doing a virus scan right now but so far im clean on the latest virus definitions. system restore wont load (thats prolly the worst thing of all :( as i cant fix whatever this is <_<)

pleez help meeeeee...

btw i prolly will try the "last hardware configs that worked"

while im at it, anyone know a link which tells me how to slipstream xpsp1 into an xp CD? i neeeeeeed to know if i end up repairing my comp using winXP :)

:helpsmile:

thanx
05-07-2004, 10:15 PM
tesco

first of all its "last known good config" :lol:

anyway, i had a virus like that once, it made system restore, regedit, taskmanager, and lots of other microsoft stuff not work anymore, but after getting rid of teh virus it worked. i cant remember the name, but im sure youll find a virus in your scan.
05-07-2004, 10:47 PM
Virtualbody1234

How is this hardware related?
05-07-2004, 11:26 PM
Mad Cat

I had a virus a month or so ago that disabled Ctrl+Alt+Del :P
05-08-2004, 12:56 AM
atiVidia

sorry i wanted to post in softwareworld
05-08-2004, 01:08 AM
clocker

The "virus" made you do it, right?
05-08-2004, 01:12 AM
atiVidia

Quote:

Originally posted by clocker@7 May 2004 - 20:16
The "virus" made you do it, right?

no <_<

vb could u pleez move this to softwareworld?
05-08-2004, 01:14 AM
clocker

He's infected now, too.

This will prolly end up in Codec Development....
05-08-2004, 02:20 AM
Virtualbody1234

Quote:

Originally posted by atiVidia+7 May 2004 - 19:20--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (atiVidia @ 7 May 2004 - 19:20)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-clocker@7 May 2004 - 20:16
The "virus" made you do it, right?

no <_<

vb could u pleez move this to softwareworld? [/b][/quote]
Done.
05-08-2004, 02:33 AM
delphin460

Quote:

Originally posted by atiVidia@7 May 2004 - 22:18
:helpsmile:

i click notepad, and it flashes open and quickly closes. i click windows help and it doesnt load at all... im doing a virus scan right now but so far im clean on the latest virus definitions. system restore wont load (thats prolly the worst thing of all :( as i cant fix whatever this is <_<)

pleez help meeeeee...

btw i prolly will try the "last hardware configs that worked"

while im at it, anyone know a link which tells me how to slipstream xpsp1 into an xp CD? i neeeeeeed to know if i end up repairing my comp using winXP :)

:helpsmile:

thanx

dont both repairing , just format the whole thing and start fresh

not sure about slipstreaming , but just download a version of xp with it already done

p.s why do you to have so many problems with that pc ???
05-08-2004, 04:51 AM
Xero Grid

Notepad sucks. I suggest using something else. Like EditPadLite. Should be easy to find. There are other excellent replacements like Notepad2 and such. Well, I went into safemode and actually replaced Notepad.exe, but you don't have to go that far. :lol:

The Elder Geek's Guide to making a bootable Windows XP install disk slipstreamed with SP1. Unbelieveably easy.

Here's a step further, if you want. How to create an Unattended XP CD

Enjoy! :D

-- Xero Grid --
05-08-2004, 07:42 AM
Chewie

Quote:

Originally posted by delphin460+8 May 2004 - 02:41--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (delphin460 @ 8 May 2004 - 02:41)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>dont both repairing , just format the whole thing and start fresh

not sure about slipstreaming , but just download a version of xp with it already done [/b]

Format/install? FFS if your car developed a misfire would you scrap it and buy another? You might not give a fuck but Rossco obviously wants to fix his problem.

Quote:

Originally posted by Xero Grid@8 May 2004 - 04:59
Notepad sucks. I suggest using something else.

Yes, Xero, you always do recommend using something because somethiug else 'sucks; commonly where the 'sucking' program has no issues and doesn't 'suck' in the least.
Rossco doesn't have a problem with it, so what's your point?

<!--QuoteBegin-Xero Grid@8 May 2004 - 04:59
The Elder Geek's Guide to making a bootable Windows XP install disk slipstreamed with SP1. Unbelieveably easy.

Here's a step further, if you want. How to create an Unattended XP CD[/quote]
Excellent links.

There's another guide HERE with links to M$ download pages for 2000/XP service packs.

@ atiVidia:
Download and run HijackThis, scan your system and post the results here.
Probably you have a malicious program of some sort running and it should show up in the results.
I spent a total of about 7 hours sorting out a woman's computer this week and about 6 of those were trying to track down where "c.exe" and "d.exe" were being started from... one was the win.ini file but the other was an IE 'helper' library file.
05-08-2004, 08:29 AM
Xero Grid

Funny, Chewie. My point is, if you're using something that doesn't work, you can always try something else. I'm presenting options along with an opinion. I thought that is what a forum is for.

-- Xero Grid --
05-08-2004, 01:41 PM
Chewie

Quote:

Originally posted by Xero Grid@8 May 2004 - 08:37
Funny, Chewie. My point is, if you're using something that doesn't work, you can always try something else. I'm presenting options along with an opinion. I thought that is what a forum is for.

-- Xero Grid --

We're talking about the simplest program in the Windows package not working. For Notepad to not work there must a problem, and recommending the use of something else does nothing to help with that, and that's what he's asked for, not opinions on software suitability.
05-08-2004, 03:03 PM
delphin460

Quote:

Originally posted by Chewie UK+8 May 2004 - 13:49--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Chewie UK @ 8 May 2004 - 13:49)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Xero Grid@8 May 2004 - 08:37
Funny, Chewie. My point is, if you're using something that doesn't work, you can always try something else. I'm presenting options along with an opinion. I thought that is what a forum is for.

-- Xero Grid --

We're talking about the simplest program in the Windows package not working. For Notepad to not work there must a problem, and recommending the use of something else does nothing to help with that, and that's what he's asked for, not opinions on software suitability. [/b][/quote]
check the topic

Notepad, Windows Help, System Restore Wont Open, other thngs also not working. help pleez

it aint just his notepad Chewie UK

and yes , if there are multiple problems i do suggest a format cause its generaly easier and not as time wasting as trying to fault find , not that i am against it , but most times when there are multiple errors you just cant clean it up enough ,
and you still end up with errors in the future
05-08-2004, 04:57 PM
peat moss

Have you tryed Scannow ? The win xp system file checker.

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

It has worked for me the odd time, but I perfer to format and reinstall with that many problems. :)
05-08-2004, 08:18 PM
Chewie

Quote:

Originally posted by delphin460@8 May 2004 - 15:11
check the topic

Notepad, Windows Help, System Restore Wont Open, other thngs also not working. help pleez

it aint just his notepad Chewie UK

and yes , if there are multiple problems i do suggest a format cause its generaly easier and not as time wasting as trying to fault find , not that i am against it , but most times when there are multiple errors you just cant clean it up enough ,
and you still end up with errors in the future

I know what the topic title is, but you're obviously missing the point here.

Who said it's more than one problem?
If you think about what's happening, there's a good chance that some sort of malware is the cause.
There are many instances of malicious programs inhibiting system configuration methods - not letting the user open Internet Properties from within IE, preventing Task Manager from opening etc.
Just the three programs he's mentioned are indicative of this sort of 'attack':
- can't open System Restore to go back to a point before the problems,
- can't access Windows Help from where a user could use Remote Assistance,
- Notepad, the default program for opening *.ini configuration files, closes straight away.

Starting afresh will obviously cure the problem, but reinstalling Windows is only the start - there's plenty of other stuff to do such as restoring backed upo documents, installing games and applications, configuring email client(s), tweaking Windows and not forgetting updating Windows as well.
Fair enough, atiVidia may be willing to do that, but what if the same thing happens next week? I'd be really fucked off if I had to go through that again because I didn't take the time to sort it out.
05-08-2004, 11:16 PM
supersonic

The problem is from one of the improtant services in win xp, called WMI or something like that, make sure it is working, if it ain't working, then reinstall windows. If it is working, then I dunno.
05-08-2004, 11:53 PM
atiVidia

u all are the most helpful bunch lol.

yes i will try all the suggestions given as well. if all else fails i will try a repair using the XP cd.

btw any1 know how to streamline sp1 into the XP cd?
05-08-2004, 11:56 PM
atiVidia

<s>now ive got another problem: i cant read the winXP cd! (i kno it works cuz it worked on my friends comp

ill just try a repair <_<</s>

<s>fixed that. now i have another issue: how do i trick windows into thinking that the sp1 cd is in the comp? do i just extract the sp into a folder and enter the registry add the sp1 install path?</s>

f__k i couldnt fix it. ill just slip it and repair off the slipped xp cd. thx for the guides!

lol chewie im the 1 that needs help not rossco :lol:
05-09-2004, 01:26 AM
tesco

Quote:

Originally posted by Chewie UK+8 May 2004 - 02:50--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Chewie UK @ 8 May 2004 - 02:50)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Quote:

Originally posted by delphin460@8 May 2004 - 02:41
dont both repairing , just format the whole thing and start fresh

not sure about slipstreaming , but just download a version of xp with it already done

Format/install? FFS if your car developed a misfire would you scrap it and buy another? You might not give a fuck but Rossco obviously wants to fix his problem.

Quote:

Originally posted by Xero Grid@8 May 2004 - 04:59
Notepad sucks. I suggest using something else.

Yes, Xero, you always do recommend using something because somethiug else 'sucks; commonly where the 'sucking' program has no issues and doesn't 'suck' in the least.
Rossco doesn't have a problem with it, so what's your point?

<!--QuoteBegin-Xero Grid@8 May 2004 - 04:59
The Elder Geek's Guide to making a bootable Windows XP install disk slipstreamed with SP1. Unbelieveably easy.

Here's a step further, if you want. How to create an Unattended XP CD

Excellent links.

There's another guide HERE with links to M$ download pages for 2000/XP service packs.

@ atiVidia:
Download and run HijackThis, scan your system and post the results here.
Probably you have a malicious program of some sort running and it should show up in the results.
I spent a total of about 7 hours sorting out a woman's computer this week and about 6 of those were trying to track down where "c.exe" and "d.exe" were being started from... one was the win.ini file but the other was an IE 'helper' library file. [/b][/quote]
atividia needs help, not me. lol.
05-09-2004, 10:02 AM
Chewie

Quote:

Originally posted by ROSSCO_2004@9 May 2004 - 01:34
atividia needs help, not me. lol.

Yeah, sorry Rossco, I really don't know why I put your name in there! Obviously it should read atiVidia. :)
05-10-2004, 12:44 AM
atiVidia

rofl unless i start seeing MAJOR problems i will not bother repairing it :)

however... if i open an INI file, notepad works... :huh:

and after i close notepad, and i click it, it still works... :huh:

but i cant use notepad until i open an ini file first :blink:
05-10-2004, 06:37 PM
Chewie

Quote:

Originally posted by atiVidia@10 May 2004 - 00:52
rofl unless i start seeing MAJOR problems i will not bother repairing it :)

however... if i open an INI file, notepad works... :huh:

and after i close notepad, and i click it, it still works... :huh:

but i cant use notepad until i open an ini file first :blink:

Heard of a virus that did that sort of thing years ago - you couldn't start a program with it's shortcut or double-clicking the executable, but you could start it by double-clicking a file that the program is set to handle.
You got an odd one there. Try running HijackThis and post it's scan results here.
05-10-2004, 11:11 PM
atiVidia

actually i found out (partially) what is responsible

its a dll which loads up at startup. however, because it loads under rundll32 i cant trace it. ive cleared out the startup menu and the registry (multiple startup locations i might add :)) and yet it keeps starting up. is there a way i can trace the dll and kill it?
05-10-2004, 11:37 PM
zapjb

I echo HijackThis!
05-10-2004, 11:50 PM
Chewie

Quote:

Originally posted by atiVidia@10 May 2004 - 23:19
actually i found out (partially) what is responsible

its a dll which loads up at startup. however, because it loads under rundll32 i cant trace it. ive cleared out the startup menu and the registry (multiple startup locations i might add :)) and yet it keeps starting up. is there a way i can trace the dll and kill it?

Yes, HijackThis
Image Resized
http://img34.photobucket.com/albums/v103/ChewieUK/HTshot.gif' width='200' height='120' border='0' alt='click for full size view'></a>
That's the sort of thing it shows you, although you can set it to show more. You can remove items from the right-click menu.

Be very careful what you play with... <a href='http://hjt.wizardsofwebsites.com/]THIS PLACE will give you some help if you want to D-I-Y or you can post your scan results here for us to look over.
05-11-2004, 12:42 AM
atiVidia

Image Resized
[img]http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/1053/HijackThis.JPG' width='200' height='120' border='0' alt='click for full size view'>
05-11-2004, 07:35 PM
Chewie

First you gotta get rid of the W32.HLLW.Purol virus - that's the Winstart entry. Do this before you do anything else.
The very first item looks like a home page hijack. Spybot should spot that, and it looks like you have it installed.
Other stuff I don't trust in there but you may know what they are:
- all the lines that start 02 - BHO EXCEPT the AcroIEHelper.dll, SDHelper.dll and NavShExt.dll,
- the 012 plugin NPDocBox.dll.

Update/scan with Spybot S&D and use the immunize feature to protect yourself. Update/scan with NortonAV and make sure the autorpotect feature is enabled. You can right-click the system tray icon and disable it temporarily while you play games but it's really not worth the risk by not running it at all.
05-14-2004, 11:15 AM
atiVidia

lol thx. btw im not removing the FDcatcher cuz thats my dload manager... but i followed all ur other pieces of advice :)
05-14-2004, 06:13 PM
Chewie

Quote:

Originally posted by atiVidia@14 May 2004 - 11:23
lol thx. btw im not removing the FDcatcher cuz thats my dload manager... but i followed all ur other pieces of advice :)

Glad to help out KLite board's GFX card expert, mate. I did say I didn't trust them but you might know what they were - if a HijackThis scan throws up something you don't know about your best bet is to Google it 'cause there's bound to be either virus reports or other people wondering about it.
Hope you're all clean now.