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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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MSConfig.exe Gone Missing

A Little XP Wierdness

August 21, 2011 1:06:37 PM from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Had a problem with installation of the first of the .net updates last month and after repeated failed attempts to get it to install, and after several other updates also failed subsequently, I decided to try MS's free tech support for security issues.  We got all the failed updates to install manually except for the two .net updates.  The first, the one that originally first failed, would hang at about 50% on the progress bar and just sit there.

When I attempted to do the update manually while in SafeMode, I got a message saying that the component/app for which the update was intended was not installed on my computer & it stopped right there (.net 2.0 is installed on my rig).

Long story short - In the course of troubleshooting, the tech wanted to check something in MSConfig.  I haven't had occasion to use it in a long time but I'm pretty certain I've run it on this desktop at some point since I bought it 3 years ago or so.  When we launched msconfig.exe from the run command, the process showed up in TaskManager but no UI appeared.  When the tech did some digging in the registry, she couldn't find whatever should have been there for msconfig.exe (I tried to get out of her what she was looking for & couldn't find but all she'd say is that there is a registry issue with msconfig).

There are two instances of files named msconfig.exe on my system, one in C:\\Windows\ServicePackFiles\i386 and one in C:\\Windows\pchealth\hlpcenter\binaries.  Running either results in the same behavior - a process running in TaskManager without a UI.

This brought the tech support to a halt since the msconfig.exe issue was not a 'security' issue and they couldn't troubleshoot the security issue any further without being able to check MSConfig.

Any of you have ideas on this before I go spending my next 4 rounds of golf on MS Consumer Support?

Thanks!

 

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Daiwa
RedneckDude
Join Date 04/2009
+2210 moderator
Reply #1 August 21, 2011 1:13:01 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Well, I have two suggestions. First, if the tech didn't do it, go to run, type in cmd.exe. In the resulting window type in sfc  /scannow. Hit enter and let it do it's thing.

 Be sure to put a space between sfc and the /.

If that don't fix it. Try this:

https://forums.wincustomize.com/410383

 

I believe there is a link to instructions for XP on the original article.

 

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Daiwa
DrJBHL
Join Date 04/2002
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Reply #2 August 21, 2011 1:20:46 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Daiwa, I generally recommend doing chkdsk /f /r  again, using the elevated command prompt (cmd>right ckick>run as administrator). It will perform the sfc /scannow as part of it.

Takes more time, but is more inclusive and fixes any bad sectors. Your msconfig.exe might be sitting in or partially in such a sector.

It takes more time, but imo, it's worth it. 

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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #3 August 21, 2011 1:44:07 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Thanks for the suggestions, guys.  I'll let you know the results.

As for the non-destructive XP re-install, what version of the OS gets reinstalled?  SP1?  Does it work with OEM versions?

THANKS!!

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Daiwa
DrJBHL
Join Date 04/2002
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Reply #4 August 21, 2011 1:48:27 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

You have to have SP1 uninstalled for 7 and Vista) or it will fail same for XP SP2 and 3... check the article, though... never tried it..

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Daiwa
yrag
Join Date 08/2001
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Reply #5 August 21, 2011 2:16:25 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

http://home.ptd.net/~miles4/dotnetfx_cleanup_tool.zip

 

C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\binaries
C:\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386

Both are 04/14/2008 00:12:27 169,984

Anything else it's malware or corrupted. My guess is it's the latter.

Look in Event Viewer.... it's talking to you

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Daiwa
DrJBHL
Join Date 04/2002
+4059
Reply #6 August 21, 2011 2:31:51 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Malware was the first thing I suspected. Should always do a Malwarebytes scan.. not perfect but really good....

Thanks for the help, yrag. .NET is the most troubling darned thing... have written about it...

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2005/04/08/406671.aspx

Aaron's blog... explains the tool, but care should be used with it as I understood from various articles I've read.

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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #7 August 21, 2011 2:43:50 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

CHKDSK appeared to report/fix no errors (there's a switch which sets the post-scan report to persist but I've forgotten it).

yrag -

Thanks for chiming in - I was hoping you'd see this.

Both my files are 04/13/2008 5:12:27 169,984

Malware?

Event Viewer has this entry for 3:00 am this morning, I'd guess from an attempt by Automatic Updates to install an update:

Product: Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 -- Error 1704. An installation for Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2 is currently suspended.  You must undo the changes made by that installation to continue.  Do you want to undo those changes?

That was in the Application section.  Don't see anything referencing MSConfig there or in the System section.  What should I be looking for?

Thanks for your kind help.

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Daiwa
vStyler
Join Date 11/2004
+919
Reply #8 August 21, 2011 2:50:17 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

msconfig going missing is usually a good sign your system has been compromised, of course they don't want you going into the startup tab and removing whatever it was that was installed.

Typically tho, when it happens, task manager vanishes too, so perhaps, I may barking up the wrong tree.

 

Hope you get it solved.

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Daiwa
yrag
Join Date 08/2001
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Reply #9 August 21, 2011 2:55:45 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

I thought it might be your MMC snap-ins......we'll get back to that.

 

Run the tool I gave you and then run Windows update. If update won't run, install manually:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=96

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=19

Than run update.

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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #10 August 21, 2011 3:44:18 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

In the middle of a full Malwarebytes scan on that rig as I type.

Interestingly, during the MWB scan, MS Security Essentials popped up an alert and removed this:

TrojanDownloader:Java/OpenStream.AY

file:C:\Documents and Settings\Daiwa\Application Data\Sun\Java\Deployment\cache\6.0\49\73190831-1cc1f558.

I'm thinking that was a false positive, but maybe not.

After MWB finishes running, I'll proceed with your recommendations, yrag.  Might be late this afternoon or evening before I report back as we're going to be visiting some friends for awhile this afternoon (& MWB might not be done till then anyway).

I really appreciate your help.

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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #11 August 22, 2011 12:17:08 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Ran MWB on all four fixed drives & it flagged 2 registry items as 'PUM.Hijack.StartMenu':

  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowHelp
  • HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced\Start_ShowMyDocs

It also flagged atomic.exe (Atomic Clock - a really old app that I haven't used in years) on a backup drive (which at one time was my primary hard drive) as an 'Adware.Agent'.

All three were successfully removed.  MSConfig.exe still MIA after reboot.

Starting yrag's recommended procedure next.

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Daiwa
yrag
Join Date 08/2001
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Reply #12 August 22, 2011 12:49:41 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

When the tech did some digging in the registry, she couldn't find whatever should have been there for msconfig.exe (I tried to get out of her what she was looking for & couldn't find but all she'd say is that there is a registry issue with msconfig).

 

Key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\MSCONFIG.EXE

 

Path:: C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe

 

 

 

Note to self: Start reading original posts...........

 

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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #13 August 22, 2011 12:58:33 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

yrag -

I ran the cleanup tool but initially only for .NET 2.0, the update for which was the one that would hang and fail.

After rebooting, Windows update does not offer the previously offered update for 2.0 but offers '.NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 and 3.5 Family Update for .NET versions 2.0 through 3.5 (KB951847) x86'.

It also has this additional update in the on-deck circle: '.NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Update for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP x86 (KB982168)'.

No other high priority updates are on offer (aside from IE8, which I don't plan to install on this rig).

I'm going to hold off on installing this one and stop here for now pending your further advice, in case I should go ahead & run the cleanup tool for all versions first.

Thanks again.

 

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Daiwa
yrag
Join Date 08/2001
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Reply #14 August 22, 2011 1:01:30 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

You need to clean it all out, then install 1.0 and run update, then 2.0 and run update and so on......  

 

Anything Update doesn't offer can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=96 (scroll to bottom of screen)

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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #15 August 22, 2011 1:01:34 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Passed each other in the hall.

That reg key shows that app path here, exactly as you posted above.

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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #16 August 22, 2011 1:02:58 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Quoting yrag,
reply 14
You need to clean it all out, then install 1.0 and run update, then 2.0 and run update and so on......

10-4.

I take it this has nothing to do with msconfig being MIA?  And we'll 'get to that'? 

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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #17 August 22, 2011 1:13:14 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

You are extremely kind to lend your expertise here, yrag.  Can't thank you enough.  I'll post back after completing the actions suggested in your Reply #9.

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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #18 August 22, 2011 1:26:55 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Well, that didn't take long.  When I ran the tool for all versions, got this:

'Product cleanup failed.  See log for details.'

Here are the last 22 lines of the log:

[08/21/11,22:12:00] Section [Registry - .NET Framework 4] - stop parsing entries
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Not running action 'Registry - .NET Framework 2.0 (Wow6432Node)' for product '.NET Framework - All Versions' because the OS condition does not match
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Not running action 'Registry - .NET Framework 3.0 (Wow6432Node)' for product '.NET Framework - All Versions' because the OS condition does not match
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Not running action 'Registry - .NET Framework 3.5 (Wow6432Node)' for product '.NET Framework - All Versions' because the OS condition does not match
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Not running action 'Registry - .NET Framework 4 (Wow6432Node)' for product '.NET Framework - All Versions' because the OS condition does not match
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Section [Files - mscoree and netfxperf] - start parsing entries
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Found entry %11%\mscoree.dll, performing action now
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Found entry %10%\system32\mscoree.dll, performing action now
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Found entry %10%\SysWow64\mscoree.dll, performing action now
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Found entry %11%\netfxperf.dll, performing action now
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Found entry %10%\system32\netfxperf.dll, performing action now
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Found entry %10%\SysWow64\netfxperf.dll, performing action now
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Section [Files - mscoree and netfxperf] - stop parsing entries
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Section [Files - XP and Higher .NET Framework 2.0] - start parsing entries
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Found entry %11%\msvcm80.dll, performing action now
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Found entry %11%\msvcp80.dll, performing action now
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Found entry %11%\msvcr80.dll, performing action now
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Found entry %10%\SysWow64\msvcm80.dll, performing action now
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Found entry %10%\SysWow64\msvcp80.dll, performing action now
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Found entry %10%\SysWow64\msvcr80.dll, performing action now
[08/21/11,22:12:00] Section [Files - XP and Higher .NET Framework 2.0] - stop parsing entries
[08/21/11,22:12:00] ****ERROR**** Cleanup failed for product .NET Framework - All Versions

The log is quite large.  As I scanned through it, everything preceeding the quoted lines appeared to have executed as intended.  Let me know if sending the full log to you would be of any help.

Thanks.

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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #19 August 22, 2011 1:35:00 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Of passing interest, Fences and cli.exe (an AMD/ATI video/graphic system applet) failed to initialize on reboot after cleaning the .NET 2.0 version - I suppose that means they depend on .NET 2.0 but not sure.

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Daiwa
yrag
Join Date 08/2001
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Reply #20 August 22, 2011 1:42:42 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Quoting Daiwa,
reply 19
I suppose that means they depend on .NET 2.0 but not sure

Yes.

Did you install 4.0 on there? Open Control Panel/ Programs, See what .Net versions are still listed.

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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #21 August 22, 2011 11:46:42 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Only version still listed in Add/Remove Programs is 3.5 SP1.  Never installed 4.0 'knowingly' (which doesn't mean it was never there, heh heh).

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Daiwa
Daiwa
Join Date 07/2001
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Reply #22 August 23, 2011 1:03:56 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Props/kudos/cheers and a huge THANKS to yrag for helping me get my rig squared away.  A most generous gentleman is he.

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Daiwa
Wizard1956
Join Date 01/2008
+2202
Reply #23 August 23, 2011 11:08:33 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Quoting Daiwa,
reply 22
Props/kudos/cheers and a huge THANKS to yrag for helping me get my rig squared away.  A most generous gentleman is he.

  and one smart duck!

There's help, and then there's yrag, who takes it to a whole 'nuther level.

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Daiwa
DaveBax
Join Date 10/2007
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Reply #24 August 23, 2011 11:42:42 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

Quoting Wizard1956,
reply 23
Quoting Daiwa, reply 22Props/kudos/cheers and a huge THANKS to yrag for helping me get my rig squared away.  A most generous gentleman is he.


  and one smart duck!

There's help, and then there's yrag, who takes it to a whole 'nuther level.

Also there is the Duck (Yrag) and Mouse (Mighty Mouse) Put them together the the world would have their problems solved.

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Daiwa
yrag
Join Date 08/2001
+393
Reply #25 August 23, 2011 11:49:10 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

I've spent years diligently cultivating an image of just being another jackass amongst the nameless rabble, and you guys are blowing the shit out of it in one fell swoop.

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