Topic awaiting preservation: Rundll32.exe gone kaboom.

Since a week or so, I get an error whenever I close windows, that says that rundll32.exe can't be closed, together with two options, "close now" and "cancel".

After looking on microsoft.com I edned up on this page: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;812340

which had details on replacing rundll32.exe from the install CD (instructions included below)

quote:

---

Put the Windows XP CD ROM disk in the CD ROM drive.
Click Start, and then click Run.
Type expand X:\i386\rundll32.ex_ c:\windows\rundll32.exe in the Open box, where X is the letter of your CD ROM Drive.
Restart the computer.

---

I did that, and still got the same error.

After that, I tried using system restore and set it back to the date before I got these errors, but still to no avail.

Now, I don't mind the errormessage as much, but this isn't something that should happen, and I think it interferes with my photoshop usage. As soon as I start Photoshop and the loading screen disappears, PS closes without any error messages. Uninstalled PS, and tried to reinstall it off the CD... and the PS installation program refuses to run. Whenever I doubleclick, the program seems to start, then quits without an errormessage.

Has anyone had any of these problems before? Any ideas on how to fix either of the problems? I'm really at a loss on what to do.

edit: PS version is 7.0, windows version is MX, and as far as I recall nobody who uses this computer installed any other software programs recently. I ran adaware, and that didn't give anything unusual.

[This message has been edited by mahjqa (edited 02-23-2004).]

Update: System restore apparently DID get PS back working again, but I'm still getting the "trying to shutdown rundll32.exe" message. Odd.

I am sure you tried, but maybe a viruscan would shed some light. I had a nasty one a while ago that did a very similar thing you are describing with Photoshop. Starts loading and then nothing. No errors with rundll32 though. I have never used Windows MX, so I can't offer much advice beyond that.

Mahjqa, fwiw, I too am running XP, regularly updated and have a similar problem. After a couple of days, it's not unusual for me to have 20-30 rundll processes open but not active; then again sometimes there are only a few, seems to be no obvious rhyme or reason . For a while there I searched high and low for a solution but eventually gave up and just got in the habit of shutting them down. I'll be watching this thread with eager anticipation.



[This message has been edited by lan (edited 02-23-2004).]

I doubt this is helpful, but I'll post just in case:
http://www.computing.net/windowsxp/wwwboard/forum/75918.html

edit: This program might let you get a better look at what's going on behind the scenes: http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml



[This message has been edited by Ramasax (edited 02-23-2004).]

Windows MX? Never heard of it. I know of ME or XP, but not MX

The poster has demanded we remove all his contributions, less he takes legal action.
We have done so.
Now Tyberius Prime expects him to start complaining that we removed his 'free speech' since this message will replace all of his posts, past and future.
Don't follow his example - seek real life help first.

quote:

---

Windows MX? Never heard of it. I know of ME or XP, but not MX

---

Er, it's XP

Meh.

If you're wondering about any of the 'services' ... I found this page very uselful. Actually you might want to start at his home page and then go to the xp stuff.... but this will take you directly to the xp services... if you have anything running other than the services listed... those services are either from other software or as Ini said a trojan of some description... anyway.... helpful hopefully
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

One of the first steps I usually take at times like these is to turn system restore off (and Norton Protected files, when I had that running) and then run a recently updated AdAware and AVG Anti Virus. That way, if it is a virus or trojan, it can't hide there. Have you made all the usual checks Mahjqa?
I can't think of anything else at the moment, but if I do I'll get back to you.

:::tao:::

Do you have, or have you tested with SpyBot? http://www.safer-networking.org/
It will find what Adaware cant ... The two together with a well stocked host file will keep many a "bug" from getting into your works.

SpyBot Search and Destroy is a very good program. And it has additional features that help you to see whats going on with the registry, hosts file, and running processes, etc., you should check it out.

______________
Is This Thing On?

Bleah...