Run time error 48 file not found PSAPI.DLL

I have a PC on windows 98 that has suddenly started displaying the above message on startup.

It won't move past this message nor will it boot in safe mode. Any ideas on how to around this would be much appreciated.

Gengis

 

Hi gengis,
I strongly suspect you have been infected by a virus. The problem is, many different critters (viral/malware) involve psapi.dll. How to figure out if this is the root cause and if so how to clean it up in the least destructive manner, particularly when you don't know what specific files may be involved, is going to take some thought. I need to gather a little more information while trying to decide how to best handle this. What virus program do you have and do you have the CD for it? Many virus programs can be run from the CD or, as in Norton's case, will offer to do a scan prior to the install. If it is installed can you run it from the crompt?

Since I haven't searched/researched or prescreened this and in case I'm jumping to a conclusion here, it might also help to know if you installed, updated or un-installed something prior to your current predicament?

*Shoot! Can't startup in safemode huh?
*Can you F8 startup menu to a crompt?
*Have you tried restoring a registry backup that predates your problem. scanreg /restore at the crompt and from the popup pick a date prior to the problem. If this works, imediately run you virus program.
*Got a win98 emergency bootdisk? (That's write protected! The button on the floppy is in the lock position to prevent writing to the floppy.)

Let me look around and see what other problems are associated with runtime error and psapi.dll and what the alternative solutions might be. I can do this while waiting for your response.....be back......

If anybody else has a better plan of attack, ideas or knows of other problems that are associated with psapi.dll, Please, Please jump in. I'm flying blind and by the seat of my pants here. I'm not even sure, at this point, what I'm getting into. It's just that the post has remained empty/un-answered for far to long for my personal tolerance/patience level.

To gengis,
The above paragraph is not much of a confidence booster is it? Don't worry. We all try to be extremely careful here and all members watch out for others. What I don't know at the momment, will be known, with a bit of time. My conclusion of "Most likey Virus Infection" was based on the number of hits and tiltles I got while doing a google search. The majority seemed to address virus issues. I haven't looked through these yet but am on my way to do so after checking windowsbbs archives of course. On reflection, perhaps I should have waited before posting any response to yours but I was struck with a sense of urgency after seeing all the hits mentioning "Virus ". Knowing and being aware of just what type of destructive buggers can be caught, now adays, has a tendency to do this. In any case, I'll be back.....

 

Progress update:

Sticking with the virus plan...
So far the number one suspect seems to be "Funner.A "
links to several virus scanner support sites with nfo pertaining to suspect #1
http://secunia.com/virus_information/12581/funner/
aka:
Aliases:
Funner.A
MSN-Worm.Funner
W32.Funner
W32/Funner-A
W32/Funner.A.worm
W32/Funner.worm
Win32.Funner.A
Win32/Funner.A.Worm
Worm.Win32.Funner.312832
Worm.Win32.Funner.56320
Worm/Funner.A
Worm/MSN.Funner.1
Worm/MSN.Funner.2
WORM_FUNNER.A

Interesting post: (just for a looksee and your own FYI. Warning there is one objectionable/offending_to_some word found in this post. If your sensitive to such be forewarned. I and this board cannot be held responsible for anothers standard. In defense of the site, which I have always found, "on the whole ", reputable and helpful, this may have slipped through this sites own admin. It happens.)
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Win98/Q_21329513.html

Sure would like to know if any of these files can found on your harddrive, and if the runline exisits in your system.ini, the registry is another matter best left to confirmation and elimination of this as a possibility. I'm still waiting to see if you have abandoned this post or previously found your fix, and whether you can get into your system using scanreg /restore. Working within windows would make this easier but it can be done from c: prompt if need be.

Hmmm...wonder if some work can be simplified by a stand alone cleanup tool/utility. Off to find out.........be back

 

gengis,
You've got to respond if we're not to think you've lost interest.

Ann,
I'm one of the guilty ones who bypassed this problem, 'cause my first reaction, having seen similar errors, was just "reinstall ". I have a zero batting average fixing this type of message/problem in any other way and have reached the (unscientific) conslusion that it's a 'garbage can' message, 'cause I've tried reparing what it says is wrong only to get another message that now something else is wrong, and I've ended up eventually wiping everything out. So I've been trying to learn from you.

Good luck!

 

Can you get to a Command Prompt and do this command as suggested by goddez1?
scanreg /restore
Pick a registry dated before this occured, and then reboot.
If you cannot get to a prompt, boot the computer with a Bootdisk, choose Without CDrom support, do the above command at the A:\> prompt. Then go to RAV Online Scan for a free online AV scan.
Note, if you get the file from bootdisk, do not copy the file to the floppy and expect it to work. Put a floppy into the drive, then run the file, your boot floppy will then be created for you.

 

Progress..........

Thanks for the replies everyone. I came to try the suggestions today only to find the mainboard has now failed.

I've suggested to my customer replacing the PC altogether and am awaiting their decision. I may still try the suggestions anyway as I have a spare board just for my own satisfaction and for your too.

Watch this space.........

Gengis

 

Sorry to hear that.