I messed my computer up big time and I have no idea what I did. I think it may have been a virus. In any case, here is my problem: First off I am using Windows XP. I can't open any programs, except explorer (which i'm on now) and My Computer. I can see everything, but it gives me message like this when I try to open anything: "Windoes cannont find 'rundll32'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search". You can also substitute the file after FIND with any program i click on. I can't use System Recover, because it gives same message. I tried the restarting and click F8 thing where you then use last recoverable thing or whatever, I forget what it is, but it is same as recover. It didn't work. I don't currently have my Windows XP cd, it's with my brother at college. How else can I fix this problem?

Try this link: http://www.dougknox.com/index.html here you can find patches to help you out of this troubles.

Sounds like the file c:\windows\system32\rundll32.exe has been renamed or deleted. If you can, check that folder and make sure it's still there and spelled correctly, if not see if you can copy it over from the install CD or somebody else's PC or something.

Hi Collin Quite possibly a virus ! Did you run a full scan with your anti-virus software ? You can do an online virus scan from here... http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp Krystyna

The rundll32.exe file does seem to be there still... I couldn't run norton cause i can't run and progs, i ran 2 online scans before, both found stuff. First one succesfully cleaned 1, then deleted 2. The second one only found 1 but didn't seem to do anything with it. I'll run the online anti-virus you just said... I don't recall the exact name of the virus it found before but it was backdoor something. I'll update you soon as this one finishes.

Okay, i did that scan (same as i did earlier). Anyways, this is the info it gave me on the virus: Virus type: Backdoor Destructive: No Aliases: BackDoor.OptixPro.132, W32/Optixpro.32 Anyways, how the heck can it say it isn't destructive if it stops me from using my whole system? Is that not the reason my system is all messed up? Well, it says it is Non Cleanable, I suppose that means I have to remove it manually. I'm gonna try to follow their removal steps and see what happens. I don't think removing it is going to fix my problems though.

ARGGGG!!! Okay, I'm tired of this. I try to follow the instructions, only problem is, My computer won't even let me into Regedit! So I have no idea how I can get the virus of my computer. However, I'm not sure it is the virus that I found that is causing the problem because if the virus caused that problem, then the solution to fixing it wouldn't include opening Regedit...right? Any other suggestions? Besides reinstalling Windows Xp as that isn't an option at the current time. Also, why am I allowed to open internet explorer, how is it any different than any other program I try to open?