Windows X/P windows task manager

[Strifen]

Hi, I'm new here. I have a problem with my computer. When I press ctrl + alt + delete to open teh task manager, it stays open for 1 to 3 seconds, then closes again automaticly. Its icon will remain at the buttom right corner, but will disappear once my mouse moves over it. The same happens if I press ctrl + shift + esc.

I have tried to solve this on my own. I took a few different steps.

- One step was I opend the command prompt and did that thing to secure the file sand make sure they where all in the right places. Didn't work.

- I tried manualy opening it, but the same occured.

- I copied the file to my desktop. Then renamed it. This works. I can keep it opened but only if I open it from that new renamed file. Pressing ctrl + alt + delete still has the same problem.

Anyone got any ideas?

[Big Booger]

You may have picked up a malware/virus, possibly W32.Spybot.Worm -
following are instructions for removal, however, if the scan (as
described below) doesn't detect the Spybot, please let us know (along
with what it does detect) so we can give you alternate instructions.

Briefly, you will:
Disable System Restore (Windows Me/XP).
Update the virus definitions.
Restart the computer in Safe mode.
Run a full system scan.
Delete all the files detected as W32.Spybot.Worm
Delete the value that was added to the registry.
Delete any zero-byte files in the startup folder.

DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS:

HOW TO REMOVE W32.SPYBOT.WORM
http://forums.techguy.org/t155295.html

W32.Spybot.Worm
http://securityresponse.symantec.com...ybot.worm.html

W32.Spybot.Worm Quick Fix:
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/helpcentral...t_Worm_Fix.php

Pest Patrol:
http://www.pestpatrol.com/PestInfo/w...pybot_worm.asp

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

When you are finished, run the following scans to be sure:

HouseCall (online virus scan):
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Adaware (update before running):
http://www.spychecker.com/program/adaware.html

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

It is possible that one or more of REGEDIT, MSCONFIG and Task Manger
are damaged and you will need to replace them. Here they are:

For Windows XP:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_emerutils.htm

[Strifen]

Thank you for the information, but that was not the problem. After doing all of that I didn’t find a virus by that name. Instead found a more common one that I got rid of. That however was not the problem as well.

When I went into safe mode, and found that I could open the task manager there by using ctrl + alt + delete. I noticed that there where certainly a lot less programs running under system. A lot of unneeded ones. So when I restarted again not in safe mode, I closed every program except the ones that where running during safe mode. So I closed the others one by one until I found the one program that I could close that would allow me to open the task manager with ctrl + alt + delete. It's located in C.windows/system32 and one with the same root name followed by some numbers that was located in c.windows/prefetch where the problems.

Thank you for the try tho.

[Kaboth]

I too am suffering from this exact problem at the moment. Task manager isn't the only one of my programs affected in this manner either. Running msconfig, regedit, Antivir Guard, and Hijackthis all experience this same problem.

I hope someone can find a solution.

[Big Booger]

It should be a virus. Try going to a website and scanning for a virus as I stated above. If that doesn't work, try booting to safe mode, and restoring the PC using system restore.

If that doesn't work try typing:

sfc /scannow

and make sure you have your XP CD ready. That is the system file checker utility and it will find and fix any missing or corrupted files.

If that doesn't work, try uninstalling any third party applications. Start with one, reboot and see if the problem persists. If so, go to the next, the next etc..

If that doesn't work, it may be a time for a reformat..

[zErO]

Are you running any GUI Theme programs such as Winblinds or Style XP, if so try uninstalling them and then try running sfc /scannow

sometimes these programs can play havoc on some windows application!

[Conan]

Are you running any GUI Theme programs such as Winblinds or Style XP, if so try uninstalling them and then try running sfc /scannow

sometimes these programs can play havoc on some windows application!

Hey it's zErO, risen from the grave!

[zErO]

lol yer Im back for good now
or until Rev kicks me back to the grave

[Conan]

lol yer Im back for good now
or until Rev kicks me back to the grave

Are you sure for good? That's great news!

[zErO]

Yer man
business problems all fixed, so Im free to help support the forum

[Big Booger]

Duker,
I thought you'd died man..

[zErO]

Duker,
I thought you'd died man..

LMFAO
nah not yet anyway, good to see ya still spamming the boards

[Big Booger]

approaching 10K.

[Kaboth]

Thanks for all the help guys,
It seems it was a virus I did catch it eventually with some more recent virus updates. My virus checker was only out of date by a week but it seems that was long enough to catch this nasty. Nevertheless I've copied some of the info in your posts, useful stuff.

[Big Booger]

Glad you got it sorted Kaboth. And welcome to TZ!