Device Manager problem

Why is this happening? Never had this error message until recently. Scanned for spyware/viruses, all clean. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

No Security tab.

 

Do you know how long this has happened. Can you restore your system to a pre-problem point? If you don't know, try the oldest restore point you have and reinstall the updates.

 

Not sure but Security tab might become visible on XP Home in safe mode.

 

Ran system-restore, no change.

 

It works often enough to give it a try.

Have you tried Halo's suggestion, SFC /scannow.

It could also be a problem with a DLL file. Dialafix might help you out. Just type dialafix in the search box on MG's home page to find it.

Also, if you F8 and boot in safe mode, same thing?

 

Ran SFC /scannow, no errors. Ran Dilafix and got several messages as the one attached file.

 

What file? Any changes?

 

This one.

I ran Dialafix and several errors, cmd.exe, sc.exe,msiexec.exe, net.exe.

 

Here are some of the errors meaasages ( there 15 total).
I checked all boxes in dailafix when I ran ran it.

 

Some error messages like that are not uncommon with this program.

Still getting the device manager error? What about in safe mode? What about in diagnostic mode as set from msconfig?

It would seem, especially with the SFC that this is not likely a system problem? It's starting to feel like a malware problem, but I'm not certain. Did you go through the full READ AND RUN ME FIRST in the malware forum?

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

These use the best scanners there are. Many times anti-virus programs like AVG won't pick up everything. I have scanned with AVG and then used these programs and they will find another 20 to 50 issues.

Or, if anybody else has some suggestions for luckyvic, please jump in.

 

Yes. Yes. How do I do the diagnostic mode as set from msconfig?

 

You are running XP, right?

Open a run box, type msconfig, you will see three starup option, diagnostic being one of them. Check that circle and reboot, then try device manager.

 

Yes. I tried that and it won't let me, say I need to administrator, which I am. I've tried using Safe Mode but no luck. I'm thinking it's maybe malware related.

 

Yes, yiu are correct.

 

So in Safe Mode if you check the properties of the mmc.exe file who has rights to use it. Is SYSTEM listed? Is your username listed?

 

My FF cache keeps messing with my ability to edit.

Properties>under the Security tab...who is listed?

 

I will do the safe mode tomorrow and post back results. Thank you for all your, really appreciate it.

 

Yes, System is listed,my name is listed.

 

Okay, you've fixed system files, you are getting different results in your permissions from normal to safe mode, you're denied access to device manager and msconfig, I don't know about anybody else, but this is really sounding a lot like malware.
It only takes about an hour to run the scans, more if infections are found of course.
Might want to give it a try.
Many times you can fix the problems just with the scans, I've had real good luck with them, especially, as in your case, the system seems fairly stable.

 

Can't run ComboFix.

 

Run and post what you can in the malware forum. The inability to run combofix is almost a confirmation of malware.
But let the malware fighters help. I know just enough to work through most of this but you're better off letting the real pros help you.
It will take a day or better before you get your first answer but once someone takes your case, responses are pretty quick.
Best of luck and when you are clean come back here for any final tweaking.:wave