Not a valid win32 application???

Kimia

Hi all

I can't run any exe applications on my computer. It's a Dell studio and I have Vista.

I think I have a virus, but when I try to follow the sticky, I'm at step 1 and it won't let me run TRC. The same pop up keeps coming up telling me the same thing - not a valid Win32 application...

I am not very good with computers so go easy on me!Please help!!

Kimia

Anyone at all? I have that feeling where I may have asked a really stupid and obvious question.....

ActorSeeksJob

this work ?

Please download ComboFix from Here or Here to your Desktop.

**Note: In the event you already have Combofix, this is a new version that I need you to download. It is important that it is saved and renamed following this process directly to your desktop**

1. If you are using Firefox, make sure that your download settings are as follows:
   • Tools->Options->Main tab
   • Set to "Always ask me where to Save the files".
2. During the download, rename Combofix to Combo-Fix as follows:
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. It is important you rename Combofix during the download, but not after.
4. Please do not rename Combofix to other names, but only to the one indicated.
5. Close any open browsers.
6. Close/disable all anti virus and anti malware programs so they do not interfere with the running of ComboFix.

   ---

   • Very Important! Temporarily disable your anti-virus, script blocking and any anti-malware real-time protection before performing a scan. They can interfere with ComboFix or remove some of its embedded files which may cause "unpredictable results".
   • Click on this link to see a list of programs that should be disabled. The list is not all inclusive. If yours is not listed and you don't know how to disable it, please ask.

     ---

   • Close any open browsers.
   • WARNING: Combofix will disconnect your machine from the Internet as soon as it starts
   • Please do not attempt to re-connect your machine back to the Internet until Combofix has completely finished.
   • If there is no internet connection after running Combofix, then restart your computer to restore back your connection.

   ---

7. Double click on combo-Fix.exe & follow the prompts.
8. When finished, it will produce a report for you.
9. Please post the "C:\Combo-Fix.txt" for further review.

**Note: Do not mouseclick combo-fix's window while it's running. That may cause it to stall**

Kimia

So I tried this and hey presto - it won't run because it's 'not a valid win32 application'

Can anyone help? I really am so confused

rhonin

Can you run any applications in safe mode? To access safe mode, reboot your pc and press F8 before the windows logo appears. Select safe mode and press the return key.

jolsen

I highly doubt you would be able to get to safe mode. Combofix should do it, redownload it but call it kimia.exe or something random before you save it to your desktop.

Kimia

It's downloading fine, i changed the name as i was downloading it like instructed. It's just that the original problem is stopping me from actually running it. It keeps bringing up the error box 'not a valid win32 application'.

Is this a virus or is something just broken?

jolsen

If it's malware it's probably at least Bagle where you would be unable to boot into safe mode and possibly your system restore isn't working or at least have no restore points.

try downloading http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/grinler/rkill.pif or http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/grinler/rkill.scr or http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/grinler/rkill.com
It's the same tool so if one works you're done with it, then try running combofix again or download malwarebytes. http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Once you get one of the security apps running it should take it out.

presotrader

as jolsen said, try the malwarebytes anti-malware, if possible in safe mode.

I was saying this to somebody else on a different thread, it also helps to rename mbam.exe to a different name.exe, since malware is sometimes preventing your computer from running it.