[Pro] End Program issues

[trixie54]

Every couple times I shut my PC down, it won't, due to this strange program not responding: pXuxDNvD/wdsAqOJ4WtGHg24+d... I can't find this anywhere - anybody have any ideas? Thanks.

[Welshjim]

trixie54--No experience with a program by that name. Off the top of my head, if this happened to me I would open Task Manager and see if I could identify the program from the list of those still running and try ending the process from there.

And with a name like that, I would probably run the following procedure to see if the PC is infected.
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...d.php?t=167915

[SuperSparks]

Hi trixie54, welcome to Virtual Dr

This could be caused by malware. Do a full Antivirus scan, here are three good online scanners if you need them, or want a second opinion:

Housecall

Panda Online scan

eTrust Web Scanner

Then run these three spyware removal programs, after updating the definitions:

Spybot S & D

Adaware

Microsoft Windows Defender

If you are still experiencing problems after that, unzip this program into its own permanent folder, then run it and post the logfile in our Hijack This Logfile forum here:

Hijack This

Virtual Dr Hijack This Forum

Please read these instructions before posting logfiles:

Rules for Hijack This Log Forum

[trixie54]

I used Panda, then ran the anti-spyware programs, & it seems to have gotten rid of the weird program. Thank you thank you!

[SuperSparks]

You're very welcome. Thanks for posting back and letting us know

[trixie54]

I did all that you suggested, but that weird, long program popped up again, preventing PC shutdown. I have downloaded, run, & created a log, which I will attempt to post to the proper area.
Thanks - hope someone can spot something!

[Welshjim]

trixie54--Have you run the rest of the procedures suggested by SuperSparks?

[trixie54]

I've run them, still have the problem. I posted the log on the Hijack log page.

[trixie54]

The shutdown problem is back, but now I'm getting this error message window on top of the "pXuxDNvD/wdsAqOJ4WtGHg24+d...not responding" window: AOLLOAD.exe - DLL Initialization Failed. The application failed to initialize because Windows station is shutting down." That "top" window has a red X & just sits there until I click OK; then I have to click "End Program" on the bottom window - the "pXux..." one. This has now happened 3 times in the past 2 days.

[SuperSparks]

AOL bites again

Aolload.exe is not a critical component, from what I can find out, so go to Start>Run>msconfig, and in the Startup tab, see if there is an entry for it there. If there is, uncheck it.

[trixie54]

It isn't in the Startup tab list.

[SuperSparks]

OK then, the other places to look for startup items, apart from Msconfig>Startup, are:

1) Documents and Settings\username\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder

2) Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder

And in the Registry at:

3) HK_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

4) HK_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

5)HK_Current_User\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

6) HK_Current_User\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

[trixie54]

It's not in any of those.

[jdc2000]

Try a search of the hard drive for AOLLOAD*.* Make sure you set the search to look for hidden and system files also. that should at least show where the file is located.

[trixie54]

C:\WINNT\Prefetch\AOLLOAD.EXE-11F701E6.pf
and
C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\LOADER\aolload
Also, PM doesn't show AOLLOAD as a running process when I check.