'dinst.exe' error upon booting up, IE failure to open

drkelly · Oct 29, 2005

Machine: Dell, purchased right after XP launch

Before telling me to go to the 'READ & RUN ME FIRST Before asking for support' sticky, realize that my computer is dead to the outside world. IE will not open so I cannot download any fixes, and I think my DSL modem is not getting a signal either.

I have been having some minor spyware problems over the past 1-2 yrs, but have been getting by. I have also moved, been working alot, and generally am an idiot when it comes to these things and so have not been able to completely solve the problems with my unit.

Here is my immediate problem. Wednesday I got home opened IE, and it takes me to this screen where my modem (DSL, cause I live in the sticks and can't get cable) shows it is disconnected. That is nothing new. It was late, so I turned off the computer. The next day I come home, turn on the computer, and get this "dinst.exe" error but the computer seems to have fully booted up and I can access any files on the computer. I try to open up IE, and it flashes on the screen for about a half second and disappears. Try again, and same thing over and over so I cannot access the internet.

I am having to correspond with this forum from work. I am also working 60 hrs a week so I have little time to try and solve this. I am an ME, and do not pretend to work for IT so I really need help. If I can't get help to fix this, the computer will probably end up in the garbage as I don't have the time or knowledge to fix it.

Thank you,
Danny

drkelly · Oct 29, 2005

Bueller?

I guess nobody knows how to fix this?

chaslang · Oct 29, 2005

Sure we know how to fix it but we do not have access to your PC so you are going to have to be the one willing to spend the time fixing it. But you said:

as I don't have the time or knowledge to fix it
Click to expand...

So if you do not want to spend the time it will take, why ask for help. 60 hrs/week is nothing! I've been doing more than that for 10 years. And then I spend a whole bunch more of my time working here.

Just because you cannot download on the PC does not mean you cannot get files installed on it. Don't you have access to another PC with a CD burner or to any other removeable media like a flash drive etc. So you can copy necessary files to the PC. We cannot help you if you cannot help us to help you.

Yes dinst.exe is a bad process and you need to stop it from running and loading. You need to kill the process and then boot into safe mode and delete the file. It could be anywhere but start by looking for c:\windows\system32\dinst.exe

The problem is that it comes with a load of other bad stuff and it may just reload itself. You need to get some special tools on to this PC to clean the problems. One of the many items you need is:

EliteToolbar Remover

I don't think this is your only problem because it does not typcially cause problems like you are having.

If your DSL modem is not getting any signal, it is not due to malware.

drkelly · Oct 30, 2005

Sorry. I am just really frustrated. I recently bought my first house and need to be working on projects before winter hits and I only have one day off a week. As I said, I am also not smart with fixing computers so it can take me a long time to accomplish simple things. I called a friend last night who helped me access the internet through the 'my computer' access area on my unit. I installed Mozilla, and am now able to connect to the internet. There is nothing wrong with the modem. It just lost its connection. I found 'dinst.exe' and deledted it, but it did reload later. I also ran the 'elite toolbar remover', but IE still does not work. Now that I have internet access, should I go back to the 'read me first page' and startover?

Thanks,
Danny

chaslang · Oct 30, 2005

You don't need to be smart Danny! All we need from you is to follow our instructions to the best of your ability and ask questions if and when you do not understand something. Also, providing us with feedback on steps is helpful since only you can see what is really happening. As long as you are not using the computer too much inbetween it is okay if it takes awhile to work thru everything. If you do use the computer a significant amount during the week, it would be in your best interest to complete the steps quickly. Otherwise things can spread or come back.

By the way, did you run Elitetoolbar Remover in safe mode?

Yes, try to work your way thru READ & RUN ME FIRST Before Asking for Support first.

After completing it, if you still have a problem make sure you have booted to normal mode and run the steps in the below link to properly use HijackThis and attach a log:

Downloading, Installing, and Running HijackThis

.

drkelly · Oct 30, 2005

Yes. I did run elitetoolbar remover in safe mode. OK, I will go back to the read and run me first page.

Thank you,
Danny

chaslang · Oct 30, 2005

Okay! Let me know when you finish! It does take awhile to run all the scanners but it helps us to get you PC into a know state. And if there are problems they may remove some of them making what remains less of a problem to remove.

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'dinst.exe' error upon booting up, IE failure to open

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