Windows Cannot Find ['D:\Program']

Out of the blue everytime I reboot my computer is hanging on startup of Windows XP Pro with this message " Windows Cannot Find 'D:\Program'. Make sure you typed the name correctly and then retry again. To search for a file click Start button and then search." Of course if I click okay or whatever it will go ahead and load my personal settings. I've been trying to remember if I downloaded something in the last couple of days that could be the culpret but can't think of any. I have updated anti-virus and anti-spyware protection plus using Zone Alarm and nothing is being detected there. I tried doing System Restore to roll back 5 days (this started 2 days ago) but it would not let me because of a Windows update (XP KB918439) and this is the first time I've not been able to use System Restore to fix a problem.

Since this started 2 days ago I've also had random reboots (maybe once or twice a day) and it wiped out all my bookmarks, extentions etc. of my Firefox browser, I had to create a new Profile. Surely these things happening have got to be all connected. I'm a little above a novice as far as my computer skills go, any ideas?

 

mccoady--With all the all the problems you are having, I would suspect malware on your PC.
You might consider this procedure.
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=37074
But if you want to try to fix just the immediate problem in your post, you should be able to uninstall KB918439 from Control Panel|Add/Remove. See if System Restore will work again.
If so, you can reinstall KB918439 if you think you really need it
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918439
But all the above assumes that KB918439 really is the problem. How did you determine that?
And what is the name of program in the D:\Program error message?

 

Well I know it sounds like spyware but I can't believe it is. I use Spy Sweeper that auto updates and scans every day plus I also run scans with Ad-Aware and Spybot once a week or so and I just never get spyware. My anti-virus is PC-cillin which auto updates and it also does anti spyware. I did just update to a newer version of Spy Sweeper this last week but just to make sure that wasn't the problem I uninstalled it, my Mailwasher and my firewall (Zone Alarm, which I now can't get to reinstall).

No I don't think the Windows update had anything to do with it. I finally got System Restore to work and I did get rid of error message of " Windows Cannot Find 'D:\Program' though. It never listed any programs but since my harddrive I'm having trouble with is on D drive could it have been referring to it?

Still having troubles though, the hourglass is showing up every 5 seconds like something is working and has did this off and on from the start of my troubles. Plus my Firefox browser keeps loosing it's settings (and acting strange) and I think I'm loosing my logged in settings at different sites like this one. IE seems to be working normally although still have hourglass working every 5 sec. I'm wondering should I turn off System Restore and redo all my spyware scans in safe mode? Or would it be be worth it looosing my restore points or would I?

I've been trying to post for quite awhile now but with the hour glass working it's affecting my ability to get on the internet.

 

mccoady--

This is a sign that some program is running and taking over your PC.
Try Control+Alt+Delete to see what programs are running when this happens. Especially which programs show considerable "CPU Time" on the Processes tab and report them here both by name and PID. Do not worry about svchost.exe or System Idle Process.

 

Well you didn't ask for what was running under Applications but what is listed there is Windows Cannot Find ['D:\Program] Wind... Running. This message is back again at startup of Windows.Ending this process under Applications doesn't help. I thought I had narrowed it down to updating to newer version of Spy Sweeper since when I uninstalled it, message went away. Installed it again and it came back, but uninstalling it again didn't help this time. It seems it may have went away after I did a System Restore but came either on it's own or after I reinstalled the updated version of Spy Sweeper. None of this may have anything to do with the problem I'm just throwing this out there so you have as much info as you can get.

Under Processes:

fireFox
vsmon.exe
pccguide.exe
alg.exe
tmproxy.exe
tmntsrv.exe
pcCtlCom.exe
DkService
aoltpspd.exe
aoltsmon.exe
Aolacsd.exe
exployer.exe
spoolsv.exe
TmPfw.exe
Mailwasher.exe
InCDsrv.exe
ANYDVD.exe
iTouch.exe
zlclient.exe
EM_EXEC.EXE
Isass.exe
services.exe
winlogon.exe
csrss.exe
smss.exe
System

As far as CPU time everything is basically 0's maybe one or two flash from 2 to 6 except the vsmon.exe and it jumps from 50 to 90. I can't end the Process on this vsmon.exe to see if it helps because it's there then it's not (it just keeps flashing). Whatever is happening really has taken over my computer. Once I reboot I can get online the first time I try only and once I go to a couple of screens it can't find the internet thus the trouble I'm having to post. Also it's playing fits with my browser.I have to copy this post to my notepad and save, then reboot and try to get back on the internet before I can post.

 

mccoady--With the exception of exployer.exe, nothing on the list is "obviously" spyware.
Is exployer.exe a typo for explorer.exe?
vsmon.exe is part of ZoneAlarm (so is zlclient.exe) and nothing to be worried about.
There are a few .exe's that could be spyware if they are not in the System32 (or I386) directories on your PC.
In this list would be spoolsv.exe, smss.exe, services.exe and csrss.exe.
So run a Search on each of these to be sure they are not anywhere other than in System32.
I still would not rule out spyware. You could post a HiJackThis log per the procedure here. http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=37074
So why is some program showing you the hourglass? Do you have any tasks scheduled to start behind the scenes? This could include antivirus, antispyware, etc. scans.
You have a lot of processes running which are involved with PC-cillin antivirus software from Trend Micro. You could try disabling that program to see that helps.
Do you have Windows Firewall set to ON (Control Panel|Windows Firewall)?
Look into Start|Run|type msconfig|OK|Startup tab. Do you see any other programs listed in the Command column and which have the box to the left checked?

P.S. How did you get System Restore to work? Did you go to a Restore Point before the hourglass problem started?
Don't worry about the Applications tab on Task Manager (C+A+D).

 

Sorry I haven't posted back but I was not able to get on the internet. After spending many hours trying one thing after another I found out there were two different issues going on at the same time and they pretty much took control of my computer. Problem one was I use Spy Sweeper and it notified me of a newer version to downloaded and install so I did and that seems to be what caused the Windows Cannot Find... I merely updated over the older version like always but this time it created the above problem. If I uninstalled the newer version the error message went away so I ended up installing from the new version not upgrading over the older version, so far so good. If I get the error message back I guess I will need to call Webroot and tell them about issues with their new version.

Second issue I figured out was my Zone Alarm had gone berzerk and taken over my operating system and wouldn't let me do anything. I kept trying to uninstall it but it wouldn't let me but after repeated tries and reboots I was finally able to and things seem to be back to normal. The only thing I can think of that might have caused this is I use a program called Startup Delayer and was using it to load Zone Alarm at startup. About the time I started having problems I had Startup Delayer give control back to Windows the job of loading Zone Alarm so maybe something happened there.

Now I would like to reinstall Zone Alarm but am a littled parnoid right but I would like my firewall back. What do you think?

I never realized that a firewall not operating correctly could cause such problems.

 

mccoady--Sounds like some progress.

Zone Alarm can be hard to uninstall fully. If you want to be sure, the instructions are here
http://nh2.nohold.net/noHoldCust25/Prod_1/Articles55646/CompleteUninstallNonNT.html

You want a firewall to be running.
But you did not answer my question whether you have Windows Firewall running. You should only have one firewall installed and running.
ZA is better than WF. So after downloading ZA, turn off WF before installing.
I know nothing about Startup Delayer . I suspect there is no reason to use it with ZA. ZA, by default, starts at boot and runs in the background. I think I would definitely disassociate Startup Delayer from ZA.
The combination of Startup Delayer and ZA could be the source of your problems.

 

Sorry I forgot to answer about WF, no it is not checked to run. I was only running one firewall (ZA) and I will for sure not use Startup Delayer again with it. So since ZA is uninstalled I guess I will proceed to reinstall it and hope the issues don't reappear.

 

Open the ZoneAlarm program, go to the OVERVIEW -> PREFERENCES tab, and make sure the Load At Startup box is UNchecked. Close the program, then right-click on the ZA icon and select Shutdown.

REBOOT.

You should now have no ZoneAlarm processes running on your system.

Now click Start -> Programs -> Zone Labs -> Uninstall. Be sure to say YES to the security check.

WARNING - Do NOT run the ZoneAlarm Uninstall program while in Safe Mode unless absolutely necessary. The program may not be able to make the proper registry changes in Safe Mode, thus generating errors after a reboot.

REBOOT.

To make sure that you can see the ZoneAlarm system files, if they are still on your computer:
a. Right-click on Start, then left-click on Explore. When the Windows Explorer panel appears:

- In Windows 95, 98, 98SE: Click View -> Options (in Windows 98/98SE, this will be called "Folder Options "). Click the "View" tab, then click the "Show all files" radio button.

- In Windows ME, XP, 2000: Click Tools -> Folder Options. Click the "View" tab, then click the "Show hidden files and folders" radio button.

b. Make sure you also UNcheck the box to "Hide Protected Operating System Files" if you have one.
c. When searching, be sure it searches ALL hidden files and folders (in XP: check Advanced search settings)
d. Click OK.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Making modifications to system files may disable crucial functions of your Windows operating system. We strongly suggest re-enabling the "Hide files and folders" feature once all ZoneAlarm files have been removed.

Click on Start, then Search or Find, and select Files. Make sure that the location box is set to search your local hard drive (usually C or All Local Drives.

Type the following exactly and delete the folder:

zonelabs (under your SYSTEM or SYSTEM32 folder)
"zone labs" (under your Program Files folder)
"Internet logs" (under your Windows or WINNT folder)

Type the following exactly - delete files found in \Windows or any subfolder below it, in your \Temp folder, or in the Windows "Pre-Fetch" folder):

vsconfig.xml
vsdata.dll
vsdata95.vxd
vsdatant.sys
vsmon.*
vsmonapi.dll
vsnetutils.dll
vspubapi.dll
zaplus.*
zapro.*
zllictbl.dat
zlparser.dll
zonealarm.exe
zoneband.dll

vsutil.dll (please right-click, Properties -> Version to be sure it is a ZA file. Do NOT delete this file unless it is a Zone Labs file!)

Make sure your Recycle Bin is empty (right-click and select Empty).
REBOOT

NOTE: If you received an error message upon deleting the files, or if the original programs remain in the Programs list, or if the problem persists after this, removing the files in Safe Mode will allow you to delete the files properly. Click Start, Help, and search for "SAFE MODE" for information specific to your system.

Now you should be able to get a clean install of the new version. Be sure to NOT use the old settings as this can cause further difficulties if the database is corrupt.



Well I tried to reinstall and it wouldn't let me so there must be corrupt files. I 'm not sure I understand these instructions clearly. Since I have already installed do I start with unchecking hidden files? Then when I click on search on files and folders do I type in zone labs and search or do I type in all three listings at once and search? Also I don't understand the next set of instructions.

 

Hello mccoady,

zonelabs (under your SYSTEM or SYSTEM32 folder)
"zone labs" (under your Program Files folder)
"Internet logs" (under your Windows or WINNT folder)

and

vsconfig.xml
vsdata.dll
vsdata95.vxd
vsdatant.sys
vsmon.*
vsmonapi.dll
vsnetutils.dll
vspubapi.dll
zaplus.*
zapro.*
zllictbl.dat
zlparser.dll
zonealarm.exe
zoneband.dll

are folders and files to be searched for one at a time and deleted.

Instead of typing the names, copy and paste each into the search box, w/o the * character or a period. Some you're not going to find because they don't apply to you specifically, such as zapro or zaplus.

And yes, do turn on view hidden files and folders.

One more thing If you ever try to uninstall a program, but especially a firewall or an AV, make sure its not running. In ZA's case, right click on the tray icon, and then shutdown.

Regards - Charles

 

mccoady--Good advice from charlesvar.
I know the ZA uninstall instructions seem onerous. But ZA unfortunately makes a full uninstall difficult. It might be a good idea to print the instructions out, so you can refer to them easily while going through the process.

Yes, those are three separate steps. You find and then delete each of the folders found. You type in "zone labs" only as instructed.

I am not sure I understand that. If you have tried a reinstall without success, it may be a good idea to go through the uninstall again--very slowly with the printed instructions.
And you may want to try it using SafeMode as suggested by ZA. Your PC's instruction manual should tell you how to enter Safe Mode. Generally, however, at the time of boot, you keep clicking F8 until you get a screen that offers to let you start in Safe Mode, instead of Normal Mode. You can run all the ZA uninstall instructions in Safe Mode, which will look a little funny, but will otherwise function.
Before you try to install ZA again, it might be a good idea to download a fresh installation file from ZA--just in case the present one is corrupted.
If you have no success, I am afraid I do not have any other suggestions.
At worst you can always fall back on using Windows Firewall. Or there are other free firewalls, such as Kerio
http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm
It looks like you must pay, but if you read a little, Kerio becomes free after the first 30 days-- as a "basic" program. The only differences between the full and basic programs have nothing to do with the firewall function, but rather "does not provide the content filtering capabilities such as blocking pop-up windows, ads, VB scripts, cookies, etc. and other extra features. "

Good luck!
P.S. Are you having any problems now, other than when you try to install Zone Alarm?

 

Okay thanks I'll try to give it a go in the morning if I have time, if not then it may be a few days. Yes the only trouble I'm having now is not being to reinstall Zone Alarm unless of course the Spy Sweeper issue comes back but if it does that will be up to Webroot to fix. So far so good though.


Tried searching briefly and it would not let me delete Internet Logs so do I just make a list of these that I can't delete and when I'm all done searching go to Safe Mode and try to delete them?

Also in the long list of files to search for it could not find vxconfig.xml will there be some of the files it won't find?

 

Yes, try deleting in Safe Mode.

As I wrote, not all the files listed will be present on your system.

Some were deleted during the uninstall, some belong to other ZA versions.

Regards - Charles

 

I found time to search all the files and the ones it won't let me delete are "Internet Logs, "vsmon" and "vsmonapi.dll" so I will try in Safe Mode. Also when I did a search for "vsutil.dll" it found it so I clicked on Properties and it's description was TrueVector Service. Is this a Zone Alarm file and should it be deleted?

Question, everytime I have went into Safe Mode in the past I am always faced with two log-in screens (1) Administrator and (2) My wifes name and the only way I'm able to log into Safe Mode is through my wife's name which kind of frustrating since the programs I want to use are under my user account. My brother helped set up XP Pro for us about 3 years so my wife and I both have User Accounts and we are listed as Computer Administrators. I know alot more about computers now than then, and XP Pro in general but I can't figure out how to login through Administrator in Safe Mode, I don't know what User Name it wants (if it asks) or what the password is.

 

vsmon is the actual ZA firewall. Its extension should be .exe. Bring up Task Manager and make sure vsmon is not running. In TM, click on the Process Name column, that will put the list in name order. If you see it, right click on it and > end process.

vsutil.dll does belong to ZA. It is in two locations: C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\repair and in C:\Windows\System32

If you never gave Administrator a password, then its blank. Hit enter.

Its not going to ask for a user name, the user is Administrator.

Regards - Charles

 

Went into Safe Mode and as was able to completly remove everything on the list. It almost seems like the instructions should tell you just to search and delete from Safe Mode from the very beginning since you may always find things you can't delete in regular mode.

Anyway I'm ready to see if it will let me install ZA again, any tips or should it be straight forward? I was wondering if it would ask me to install from previous settings or would there even be any, I assume I wouldn't want to do this if it asked.

I still couldn't get into Safe Mode using Administrator and clicking enter so I wonder if my brother had entered a password. I guess it's not a big deal though because under my wife's name was my user name which I had never seen before. You have to scroll down to even see my user name login.

 

Should be straightfoward

Since you deleted all the non registry files, no "use previous settings" question should come up.

If it does come up, then wouldn't want to use any previous setting.

By default, ZA will turn XP's firewall off. Look via the Control Panel > Security Center for the status of both WF and ZA after the install. For the staus of Windows Firewall, scroll down a bit to Manage Security Settings for, click on Windows Firewall, and it should be turned off.

Regards - Charles

 

Everything went as smooth as butter, it's strange how tempermental ZA can be to uninstall or reinstall. I can't thank you enough Charles or Jim who's been helping me from the very beginning, this site is simply the best. I come here whenever I have a computer problem or just to read posts and learn. Problem is as I've gotten older I can't remember what all I've learned. Again many thanks to you both!


Mike

 

mccoady--Glad to hear the good news. Thanks for posting back.