Windows 7 message at start-up

Hi,

I am running Windows 7 on an HP Pavilion.

I have just finished being helped in a thread in the malware forum. Had all my browser(s)' homepages hijacked by Safesear.ch; all issues have been resolved but one:

At startup a Windows message comes up. The title/heading on the Windows Message at startup is:

"WindowsSearch.exe - System Error"

...and the actual message reads:

"The program can't start because uncdms.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem."

I was told it is a Windows Search software issue (even though it is an after-effect of the Safesear.ch infection) and that I should seek help in the Software forum.

I am hoping someone here can give instructions that will help me solve this one last issue.

Already I have (twice) gone to Control Panel>Programs>Turn Windows Features on or off>, then unchecked the box in front of "Windows Search," and rebooted the computer.

The same message (quoted above) displayed on reboot when Windows Search was turned off and (subsequently) when Windows Search was re-activated.

I am truly hoping this is a fairly simple fix to eliminate that message.

The people on MajorGeeks have been extremely helpful when I need it. I thank you in advance for anything that anyone can give to help get rid of this nuisance.

 

zamorazeke...

Did they have you run AdwCleaner over on the malware board? If not, I recommend running it one time. It removes remnants of unwanted programs and little bits of adware that may be on your PC. Here is the MGs link:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/adwcleaner.html

When you run the program, hit the scan button, then instead of clicking clean, click the Report button. The report will pop up and at the bottom it will give you the location of the file (i.e. C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner). If you run the program, zip up the report in a zip folder and then attach it to your next post.

Sounds like the program hijacked the entire Windows Search structure. I think in this case, I would run sfc /scannow. Start->Programs->Accessories->right click on Command Prompt and select "Run as Administrator"->type sfc /scannow (space after sfc/)->hit the enter key.

You may need an installation disk for your version of Windows 7 (32 or 64 bit too) to finish repairs for sfc /scannow, so, if you don't have one, post so on the board before running sfc /scannow (won't hurt anything if you run it without the disk, but it might be a waste of time). A link to download a burnable .iso for your version of Windows 7 can be provided...

 

Hi AtlBo,

Thank you for your response to my questions.

Yes, I did run AdwCleaner over in the Malware Board, and I ran it again this morning for good measure. No satisfaction on the problem.

I don't have a Windows 7 (64 operating system, Home Premium, Copyright 2009, Service Pack 1) installation disk.

Would it be okay to send me that link you mentioned to download the burnable .iso before I perform the operation you described in your post?

Thanks again for taking this on. I'm looking forward to our getting this resolved.

 

As AtlBo doesn't seem to be around the Win 7 ISOs are HERE. Scroll down to X17-58997.iso - that's Win 7 Home Premium X64 with SP1.

 

Thanks Earthling...

 

zamorazeke...

Looked for a reference to WindowsSearch.exe on a Windows 7 Pro 64 PC here, but I could not find one. I believe that error message is representing a harmless situation, although it is annoying I know. Is the search function working correctly in Win 7?

The message I think is just an alert that there is some sort of reference that Windows 7 is using to try to start WindowsSearch.exe on boot, which cannot be found, because it was part of the malware you had removed.

I took a look at this program the other day:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/startup_control_panel_standalone_version.html

The malware board recommended it to someone, so I took a look. I recommend downloading it (it's very small and needs no installation) and taking a look to see if there is an entry for WindowsSearch.exe in the registry.

If you go with this, unzip the folder and then click on the .exe to open the program (again no installation required). Just click on the tabs to see if any of them contain a reference to WindowsSearch.exe. Any of those you see you can deactivate. If all is functioning correctly after your next reboot, you can delete those references to WindowsSearch.exe permanently using the delete function in the program.

 

Hi AtlBo,

In answer to your question, yes, the Windows Search function was/is working correctly.

Thanks to your resourcefulness, this problem has been solved with the Startup Control Panel.

When I downloaded, unzipped and ran it as administrator, there it was in the "Startup (user)" tab: 'Shortcut to Windows Search.'

I unchecked the entry and rebooted the computer; the pest was gone. Per your advice, I deleted that entry in the aforementioned tab of Startup Control Panel.

YESSSS!!! Thank you for helping me get my computer back to the way it was.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas, and I wish you a Happy New Year.

MajorGeeks (Guys 'n' Gals) ROCKS!!!! :wave

 

zamorazeke...

No problem. Weird I just happened to look at that program yesterday. Seems some startup refs live in the registry or in some folder where m/w removal doesn't look, so some way to access and delete the entry is required.

Same to you