task manager won't start....windows says its missing

weezelpuppy · Aug 12, 2008

when i use ctrl+alt+del the task manager wont stat. when i go to system32 folder and click taskmgr.exe windows gives me a full path error and says it can not find the file. when i try to launch it from msconfig, windows says it cannot find the file. taskman and taskmgr are in the right folders and visible. i am running a housecall scan now. hijack this shows no extra bho's or bad dll's and im not running any share file services. system restore is turned off. i am running spywareblaster, spybot and nod32(eset) virus protection. winxp home sp3. spybot shows no bugs. im not running any policies. so it does not show disabled in regedit.
once clean, if dirty do i need to restore taskmgr or taskman?
if so, how?
thank you,
robert

TimW · Aug 12, 2008

Welcome to Major Geeks!

Malware may be the cause, so:

Please follow the instructions in the below link and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going.

Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not.

READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

Note:

1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode. You can running steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:

Starting your computer in Safe mode

2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools on another PC and burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.

weezelpuppy · Aug 14, 2008

thank you. i rechecked for a bug using other tools and cleaners and found a bug and got it clean and then reinstalled process explorer again and all is well in pc land. thank you for your help.
robert

TimW · Aug 14, 2008

Not a problem.

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task manager won't start....windows says its missing

weezelpuppy Private E-2

TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

weezelpuppy Private E-2

TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member