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Consumer Products => Avast Free Antivirus / Premium Security (legacy Pro Antivirus, Internet Security, Premier) => Topic started by: bob3160 on October 12, 2004, 11:33:11 PM
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I'm getting the following error whenever I try to install a program.
"Program" is not a valid Win32 application
I get the same error even if I try to start up avast! ExternalControl.
Did a boot scan and also Adaware and Spybot all came back clean.
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Hello Bob,
have you checked your system to see is there maybe Win32.Sircam virus (worm) hidden somewhere ?
Go here (Symantec web site) and download removal tool:
http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/FixSirc.com (http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/FixSirc.com)
Just to be sure... better safe than sorry...
I found some forums where people mentioned exactly the same problems... see here:
http://www.anetforums.com/posts.aspx?ThreadIndex=6300 (http://www.anetforums.com/posts.aspx?ThreadIndex=6300)
Good luck !
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Check out the registry key as explained HERE (http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/exefile.htm). If that key is not correct, your system is very likely infected with a virus that also disables av software.
Other causes can be:
- A 64bit patch on a 32bit system.
- Damaged OS.
- Damaged download. (damaged file in the temp download folder)
- Damaged Config.nt and/or Autoexec.nt (normally only used with dos/16bit applications)
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Just in case, this gives ways of confirmation.
MS KB article - You cannot start programs when your computer is infected with the SirCam virus
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q311446#kb2 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q311446#kb2)
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Unfortunately it's not a virus. It came back with a message that I don't have an infection. The check of the registry also confirms that.
I still can install any programs and I can't run RejZoR's avast! External Control. Seems to have something to do with the temp file.
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Well, now when you are 100% sure you don't have a virus in your computer, if I were you, I would try repairing Windows installation... just an idea... ;)
Maybe you erased some registry keys by mistake (possibility ?)...
Cheers !
EDIT: Or even better, if you have backup of your system (I use Norton Ghost and I'm so happy with it), just restore it to the point when everything still was OK... or maybe Windows System Restore... I disabled it 'cause I always have Ghost image of my partition C: (I make backups every 2 weeks)
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Another thing to try, before re-installing/repairing Windows.
At your log in screen, log in as admin, not user with admin rights and try the install that way to see if you get the same error message.
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inthewildteam:
I think I've mentioned this before I can't sign in as administrator because I am the administrator. This compiter only has me and a guest.
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inthewildteam:
I think I've mentioned this before I can't sign in as administrator because I am the administrator. This compiter only has me and a guest.
you can't give the windows 3 finger salute at the log in screen? cntrl/alt/del twice as soon as the screen loads?
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At this point, looks like the only solution is to re-install. :'(
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I'll quote from MS site
Managing Desktop Configurations
The thrust of managing desktop configurations is to reduce or eliminate the support overhead required for maintaining individual workstations' software and operating system installations. This is a primary requirement of desktop support managers, since support overhead quickly grows as the number of users increase.
Windows NT features more extensive desktop-oriented command and control than does UNIX. Windows NT has three considerable advantages over UNIX that fall into three areas: policy-based management, software distribution, and user profile and settings management.
System Policy Distribution
One of the biggest challenges facing desktop support managers is consistent policy use. It's often desirable in large companies or schools that maintain computer labs to deliver system policies that give all machines and user accounts a consistent set of configuration settings. To minimize support costs, every computer in the pool will have identical settings, unchangeable by end users.
Windows NT configuration data is stored in the system's Registry, a hierarchically organized database, equivalent to the mass of text configuration files used in UNIX systems. Registry values specify how Windows NT subsystems behave. For example, a Registry key allows administrators to display an "authorized use only" message before users can log on.
Windows NT supports the use of system policies consisting of groups of Registry settings. Individual settings can control logon behavior, desktop appearance, the applications that may be run, and how the computer participates on the network. Administrators may change any or all of these policy settings to desired values. Policies may be applied to individual users or computers, groups of users, or all entities that do not have a separate policy specified. The Windows NT logon subsystem automatically retrieves policy updates from the domain controller and applies them before the user can log on; this ensures that policies are consistently applied to all machines and user accounts. When a policy is updated, it takes effect as soon as it's saved, and will be downloaded and applied to each user or computer the next time a logon occurs.
Windows NT Server includes tools that administrators can use to define their own custom policies; in addition, many Windows NT-based applications include policy templates that allow fine-grained control over their behavior.
There is no exact UNIX equivalent of this capability. Settings that control the behavior of individual servers or workstations are not normally shared or replicated, though both can be done using custom shell scripts. Apart from writing elaborate shell scripts which replace the standard shell and GUI, there is no standard, or easy, way to control what the user may do on the machine.
Using system policies
Administrators use system policies to reduce the need for desktop support on user and lab machines. Some, but not all, individual users are capable of administering their own Windows NT-based machines, so policies are used to help provide a consistent environment for users who would otherwise require frequent helpdesk support. Policies are used to control which applications may be run on lab cluster machines, as well as what types of changes may be made to their desktop environments. This protection frees desktop support staff from having to continually restore the lab machines to their proper configuration--saving their support time and budget for more critical needs.
Software Distribution
One of the most difficult tasks for desktop support managers is maintaining workstation and server software. An end-user workstation may have dozens of applications; some are commercial products like Microsoft Office or Imagineer Technical, while others are in-house applications written for specific business tasks. Upgrading, distributing, and licensing these applications, and the underlying operating system, can easily suck up a huge percentage of desktop support resources, especially if users are accustomed to reconfiguring their machines.
Microsoft Systems Management Server product offers a comprehensive distribution infrastructure. Administrators can specify a standard software loadout, and Systems Management Server will automatically distribute that loadout to any or all machines on the network. For example, upgrading from Microsoft Word 95 to Word 97 can be done automatically by configuring Systems Management Server to deliver the new application as an upgrade to the machines that need it.
SMS is highly configurable; software can be distributed, or not, based on a range of criteria, and comprehensive reporting options make it possible to quickly determine which machines are running what versions of applications.
Because UNIX is rarely used as an individual desktop OS, there are no comparable solutions. The closest equivalent is the common configuration of having all users mount a single network share containing the applications they need; updating that share thus makes applications available to users. The same method may be used under Windows NT via its built-in file sharing; since Windows NT-based applications typically store their configuration settings in the local machine's Registry, each client machine ends up with its own set of settings.
Automating software distribution
Systems Management Server allows administrators to construct packages containing one or more applications and operating system components. These packages may be used to add new software or update existing software.
User Profile and Settings Distribution
As users work, they customize and change their environment (within the limits set by group, user, or system policies.) Many of these changes are persistent in Windows NT; for example, when a user selects a printer, that printer may be marked as the system default printer from that point on, and that default will persist until the user explicitly changes it. These changes may affect the way the user's workspace looks, through changes in desktop settings, or they may go deeper, changing which network resources are automatically mounted, where the user's files are stored, and so on.
The complete group of settings specific to a single user is called that user's profile. While policies control what settings apply to a user's machine, profiles contain the environment choices the user makes. These choices may be limited to the desktop environment, or they may include application-specific settings like web browser bookmarks and network configurations.
Profiles are stored in the Registry of the local machine. Windows NT supports two types of profiles: roaming profiles, which are downloaded to a workstation or server when a user logs on, and mandatory profiles, which are roaming profiles whose contents may not be changed by users. Roaming profiles allow user settings to appear on any machine a user logs onto, with no action required on the user's part. Mandatory profiles do not save changes made by users, so environments stay consistent between logons.
Distribution of profiles and policies is automatic; in addition, administrators may configure logon scripts that run when a user logs on. Scripts can use the native Windows NT-based scripting language or other languages like Perl and VBScript; they are automatically downloaded from the domain controller and run after the user's credentials are verified. These scripts are usually used to connect to network shares, run programs at startup, and take other actions that may be needed to set up the user's environment completely.
UNIX typically implements all of these features with shell scripts which execute when users log on. There's no default central location to store profiles and policies; administrators have to create their own solutions, normally by placing common script elements in a shared directory and putting customized logon scripts in each user's home directory. UNIX filesystem permissions are used to keep users from changing their settings.
I have a feeling that Bob has re-set permissions (possibly inadvertantly by installing other programmes) and may now have a problem with backtracking the programmes. This might probably be caused by using "global" permissions by logging in with global rights? Super user in unix/linux system.......... hence the ongoing problem with mp3 files he is having?
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inthewildteam:
I don't follow. How would I have reset global permission? Where and how?
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inthewildteam:
I don't follow. How would I have reset global permission? Where and how?
you log in as admin, not as user. I'm guessing here, but with your machine running normally you don't have any prompts stopping you installing or running any programmes. Example, you find a file you want to download, you can do that without any problem. You have "global" rights on your system, if windows popped up a box and you had to "run as" and type your admin password that would be the best setting.
For maximum security, any accounts used can't install and run any files. you have to log out and log back in as sys admin (with a diferent profile and password) to install the file on a per user basis or "globally" all users.
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outside of being a royal pain in the butt, what good would that do?
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Bob, I'm little tired right now as I come back from my trip few hours ago... This thread is too long right now. Did you succeed solving that problem or not? Do you need help?
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Thanks Technical:
Unfortunately, the problems still exists.
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Bob see here:
The built-in Administrator account is hidden from Welcome Screen when a user account with Administrator privileges exists and enabled. In Windows XP Home Edition, you can login as built-in Administrator in Safe Mode only. For XP Professional, press CTRL+ALT+DEL twice and input your Administrator password in the classic logon window that appears.
There are some ways to enable showing administrator account in Windows Home Edition welcome scren as well... first one is to use TweakUI v2.10, and click on "Logon" option in the left pane, then put a checkmark against the option "Show Administrator on Welcome Screen".
Second one is editing registry:
1. Start the Registry Editor [Regedit.exe]
2. Navigate to the following registry key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
\SOFTWARE
\Microsoft
\Windows NT
\CurrentVersion
\Winlogon
\SpecialAccounts
\UserList]
3. Use the File, Export option to backup the registry, in case.
4. Right-click an empty space in the right pane and select New > DWORD Value.
5. Type-in Administrator as the value. Double-click this new value, and enter 1 as it's data
6. Close the registry editor
You may use this procedure to hide/show users in the Welcome Screen for any user account. Type the account name accordingly in step 5.
I also found this:
NOTE for Windows XP Home Edition users: While you can configure Windows XP Home Edition to show Administrator account in the Welcome Screen, you cannot login as Administrator in Normal mode. Boot into Safe Mode to login as Administrator. Please see the following Microsoft Knowledgebase article:
Error Message: Unable to Log You on Because of an Account Restriction
[Windows XP Home Edition]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=290109 (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=290109)
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Hi Sasha
Unfortunately, Even in TweakUI there is no Administrator. There is only me. Mostlikely thats because I am the administrator and therefore automatically sign on that way.
From what I can tell, the registry entries only add another user called Administrator which is how I already log on.
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In tweakui you set auto login to yes and choose as name administrator and the correct password. But this is hardly of any use to you since you have XP home (if I´m correct) and that has only administrator in safe mode.
Why not do a in-place-repair to see if that solves the problems? MS kb315341 (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;315341)
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Eddy
On my machine, the User in safe mode, is the same as the user in regular mode. There is no difference. there never has been.
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Bob, have you ever backed up your system, let's say with Ghost ? That would be best and less painful thing to do - just to restore your system to some previous stable point.
If you haven't done it yet, now you see why is it so important to make regular backups. It could save you so much trouble in the future.
Are you sure you can not log in as ADMINISTRATOR even if you boot in safe mode ?
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Bob, I just managed to see my ADMINISTRATOR account, but I had to boot in SAFE MODE. That's the proper way how to see ADMINISTRATOR account in Windows Home Edition. See attachment...
Also, when you go to CONTROL PANEL, USER ACCOUNTS, CHANGE THE WAY USERS LOG ON OR OFF, I'm not 100% sure, but I think you should check USE THE WELCOME SCREEN... otherwise, I'm not sure will you be able to see ASDMINISTRATOR account listed when you boot in safe mode... someone correct me if I'm wrong...
Cheers !
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Sasha:
In Safe Mode
When I go to User Accounts, it only shows the following:
bob3160 Guest
Computer Guest account is
Administrator Off
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That's really strange. You should see your account only, only if you are loged in in normal mode, not in a safe mode.
When you log-in in a safe mode, first you should see log-in screen I posted in my previous post and then when you go to Control Panel, User Accounts, you should see ADMINISTRATOR account among the others (in your case, just your account)
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I just checked myself... I booted my system in SAFE MODE.
On your log-in welcome screen, you should see ADMINISTRATOR and your personal account (with your name) with administrator rights.
See my attachment... if you are loged in as ADMINISTRATOR, you should see all those accounts that you can see in first picture (top one), and if you log in under your personal account with your name, you should see those accounts from second (bottom one) picture only. As you can see, no ADMINISTRATOR accoun is listed.
Both situations are when I was loged in under SAFE MODE.
So, definitely, you should see ADMINISTRATOR account under USER PROFILES, when you boot in safe mode, and log in (from welcome screen) under global ADMINISTRATOR (not under your personal account with your name - there is a big difference)
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UPDATE
About 2 hrs ago, while in safe mode, I tried Running Avast! External Control and it worked like a charm. I was also able to install a program without any problems.
That meant that the culprit was something running at startup. The only program that was new was Prevx. After rebooting, I again ran RejZoR's program and got the same error message.
I uninstalled Prevx, rebooted and no more problems.
What I can't figure out is why no one else has complained about this. :o ??? ???
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I don't know... I never used it, and I never will... if we start to install million of different security programs, one day our PCs will be full of those security tools, without enough room for regular programs ;D ...
Good antivirus (of course avast!), good hardware router/firewall and software firewall, few anti-spyware and anti-adware tools, and that's it... everything runs great. Same configuration on my wife's PC, except she runs my Home Edition now on her computer, and I became very happy Windows XP Pro user...
Cheers !
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I too didn't bother with Prevx, especially after some of the posts in the Prevx threads.
I also agree that you can go too far in the security stakes and agree with Sasha, a good AV (avast!), a good firewall, Ad and Spyware blockers. I also do regular image backups (weekly) of my C & D partitions. So if things get really screwed out, restore the latest image and latest data files, email, address book, favourites, etc. (backup daily).
Above all else a high degree of common sense, is probably your greatest asset.
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Well Bob, I switched over to Qwik- Fix Pro fairly quickly after using Prevx. But, while I had Prevx I don't remember having any of the problems you had. :)
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And Bob... try to make system backups if possible. For this particular problem, it's OK... you fixed it... but just in case, it's always better to be cautious. Better safe than sorry, right ? ;)
Greets !
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UPDATE
About 2 hrs ago, while in safe mode, I tried Running Avast! External Control and it worked like a charm. I was also able to install a program without any problems.
That meant that the culprit was something running at startup. The only program that was new was Prevx. After rebooting, I again ran RejZoR's program and got the same error message.
I uninstalled Prevx, rebooted and no more problems.
What I can't figure out is why no one else has complained about this. :o ??? ???
Good that the problem was identified and solved, (I can't replicate it as I use XP Pro, but still run Prevx without any problems) has your solution also solved the mp3 issues you had?
Perhaps you might like to contact Prevx with a link to this thread so that they can see if there is an issue with their programme as it is also offered for free use. I'm sure they would be interested to follow this.
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The only program that was new was Prevx.
Prevx must be disable when you install 'trusted' software.
If anything goes wrong on shutdown it wil mess the installation, avoiding new items on startup and so on.
Prevx is a good software but it promisses much, but much much, more than it really does in real life :-\
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inthewildteam:
Unfortunately, this doesn't have anything to do with my MP3 and OE problem. I just retested that problem and it's still there.
Since I seem to be the only one with this problem, I'm not sure if there aren't other things involved and therefore don't know if I should get Prevex involved.
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The only program that was new was Prevx.
Prevx must be disable when you install 'trusted' software.
If anything goes wrong on shutdown it wil mess the installation, avoiding new items on startup and so on.
Prevx is a good software but it promisses much, but much much, more than it really does in real life :-\
@ Technical, I think Prevx does mention this in it's faqs
I can only post as I find, I'm not a re-seller for it ...just a user of it's free home user programme. It has stopped 92 "potential intrusion attacks" on my system. I can only identify 5 that might have been a possible malware attack. It might be more of a problem with it's logs than the average user may want to cope with, but it hasn't been unstable or interfered with my use in any way. I haven't had any programme crashes or system instabilty with it, and it works with my system without any hassle.
Guess it's "horses for courses" try it as an addition to your security solution, it works for some but not all?
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I think Prevx does mention this in it's faqs
Yeah... But why do we need a program that must be disabled? ;)
I can only post as I find, I'm not a re-seller for it ...just a user of it's free home user programme. It has stopped 92 "potential intrusion attacks" on my system. I can only identify 5 that might have been a possible malware attack. It might be more of a problem with it's logs than the average user may want to cope with, but it hasn't been unstable or interfered with my use in any way. I haven't had any programme crashes or system instabilty with it, and it works with my system without any hassle.
I'm not saying it's not good or crashes the computer.
I said, when a crash or other bad things happens, it messes all things...
For me, definetivelly, it promisses much more than in fact does.
Right now it's active in my system but I'm thinking on disabling it and stay only with TeaTimer 8)
Other problems (sorry if I'm off-topic) is that it can even disable avast because buffer overruns... Terrible!!! Stupid! I want avast running regardless of everything else >:(
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inthewildteam:
Unfortunately, this doesn't have anything to do with my MP3 and OE problem. I just retested that problem and it's still there.
Since I seem to be the only one with this problem, I'm not sure if there aren't other things involved and therefore don't know if I should get Prevex involved.
Am I missing something ? What are those problems with MP3 and Outlook Express Bob ? Most likely I didn't see that thread where you posted it...
Cheers !
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@ Bob, Understood about contacting Prevx (your post 32)
@ Technical,
I always disconnect from the internet and stop all running programmes before installing any new software, including avast! Tauscan, etc. Just a personal preference thing. I haven't had any problem with avast! Prevx and buffer over-runs.
The reason I disconnect from the internet, is that some programmes after installation require to contact home for updates, I prefer to ensure that the connection is made after my security programmes are up and running first.
Having to stop Prevx during an install isn't much of a problem in that case.