Operating system: XP Pro Ver 5.1, Service pack 3 + all updates from microsoft

Hi I cannot get msconfig to work in "start - run - ok". This means that the System Configuration Utility is unavailable.

Microsoft and forums talk about a virus but I have:
- McAfee internet security with all update. Deep scan reveals nothing
- Microsoft malicious software removal tool (latest available). Deep scan reveals nothing
- Spybot with latest updates. Deep scan reveals nothing
- Malwarebytes with latest updates. Deep scan reveals nothing
- Spywareblaster with latest updates. Deep scan reveals nothing

Msconfig flashes for a split second, then nothing.

With McAfee always on and updated since the installation of XP plus regular scans with the others this is annoying to say the least.

Any ideas out there ??

Cheers

willbro - Quote: With McAfee always on and updated since the installation of XP plus regular scans with the others this is annoying to say the least.
Has it happened only recently? Or since the installation? If it's happened only recently, how about trying System Restore?
Take a look at this:- http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives/200 ... n-command/
Have you checked the Running Processes in Task Manager to see if there any processes there that look suspicious, that you don't recognize as usually being there?

To add to randomchaos.........maybe one of your security apps is blocking access.
Disconnect from the internet and turn your security applications off. Try running msconfig then.

Thanks for the good tips.
Just a quick word to say I'm away from home for a while but will try out your tips when I get the opporotunity

To add to what has already been suggested. It is obviously a virus/worm that has disabled these things to prevent you from running the MSconfig.

Try running Spybot http://download.cnet.com/Spybot-Search- ... 22137.html and Ad-aware http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-Anniv ... 45910.html. Other free utilities that you might want to get and become familiar with are RegCool http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/R ... -4902.html and RegCleaner http://regcleaner.en.softonic.com/.

Run the above tools one at a time, after each run run MSconfig again. If all these tools fails then
run HJT http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/. You may want to be careful in analysing the results you get.

-Obie

Some sound suggestions Obinna Osobalu, however, i strongly doubt running RegCool &/or RegCleaner will solve the problem. If a malicious program is the culprit, it's quite safe to say that other things like the run dialog box, the command prompt & control panel etc. have too been mysteriously disabled. Running the aforementioned registry tools will unlikely rectify these problems.

@ willbro. The main thing at the minute is determining if your computer is clean or not. I think you should avoid trying a system restore until you know your system is clean or the virus has been removed. The reason for this, is that if you use system restore whilst the computer is (potentially) infected, the restore points can become infected too. Meaning that after the system was cleaned it wouldn't be possible to roll back to a 'known good configuration'.
I have a suspicion that this is to do with a 'bad setting' rather than a virus though.........(i do stand to be corrected!)

Once your system is confirmed clean. Then try things like system restore, 'last known good configuration' (at boot) etc.

See here for a guide on using HijackThis as mentioned by Obinna Osobalu.

It'd also be wise to backup (if you don't already) your important personal data(documents, pics, music etc.). If your system is infected, it's unlikely these files would have been targeted.

That's quite a handy guide! Link bookmarked for future references

-Obie

wuite useful....