These 2 files have started running (but not at start up). To the best of my knowledge they had not been running in the background before 2 weeks ago. They appear to be sapping my system resources. Need help on how to shut them down - unless I am wrong and they need to be running. Thanks daily2

spool32.exe? You have the W32.HLLW.Gaobot.AG worm virus. Ddhelp.erxe? Did you mean Ddhelp.exe? If so: Microsoft’s DirectDraw Helper – DirectDraw is a component of DirectX. DirectX is a Windows technology which enables higher performance in graphics and sound when you are playing games, watching videos, or using some graphics software packages. _________________________ The internet is no longer a toy, it's a COMBAT ZONE!

Thank You! Now - How do I get rid of W32.HLLW.Gaobot.AG worm virus? (Been doing the internet for about 9 years - 1st virus) I have McAfee always going and scanning everythingl 2 times per week. Yes, I meant Ddhelp.exe. As for games - I am an old guy with a Pentium3 / speakers not hooked up and I don't do many games. However I have used Paint Shop Pro a couple of times recently. Could it cause Ddhelp.exe to crank up? Thanks again Bill daily2

Is that really definitive? Spool32.exe is also a legitimate Win9x file A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend.

Hello everyone, As jboy stated, spool32.exe is a legitimate Win9x file. W32.HLLW.Gaobot.AG only infects systems running Win2000, WinNT, and WinXP. The worm Copies itself as spoolsrv32.exe, not spool32.exe. Highly confident in saying you don't have the W32.HLLW.Gaobot.AG worm. Spool32.exe launches the Printer Spooler Process. The Printer Spooling Process manages the spooling of print jobs in Windows. It stores the print job temporarily on the hard disk, instead of sending it directly to the printer. This allows the user to return to Windows without having to wait on the printer to finish the task. Best Regards, Mesich