wondering if this is a common file

I ran AAW (ad-aware) and I saw a program called Spool32.exe and I was wondering if this is a usual file thats in Win 98 SE

 

Yes it is. It's in the C:\Windows\System directory and I believe has something to do with printer functions. Do not delete it!!!

 

SPOOL is an old mainframe acronym standing for "Simultaneous Peripheral Operations Online "

Essentially meaning that instead of a progam printing directly to a printer (tying up that printer for the entire duration that the program is running), the printout is sent to secondary storage (spooled), and then subsequently printed.

 

Kayz--I read your post and was amazed to see that Ad-Aware had picked up Spool32.exe !! As JohnB says it is a common and legitimate file.
Did AA suggest deleting it? Or was it mentioned in some other context?
I ran a Google Search on Spool32.exe and there were some hints that Spool32.exe could become infected or corrupted by a trojan. However, I only did a quick scan of the articles.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Spool32.exe+&btnG=Google+Search
You might want to post your question on the Lavasoft Forum
http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/

 

It's odd indeed that AdAware would single out spool32.exe. For that reason, I would recommend a full virus scan of your drive with the latest signatures.

Please see. This does not necessarily apply to you but best to be safe, scan that drive.

If you don't have an up to date AV program available, choose one or more of these on-line programs:

HOUSECALL http://housecall.antivirus.com/ (free scan)

SYMANTEC http://security2.norton.com/ssc/home.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=QRPSFCSGFZVDTPSOERZ (free scan)

GRISOFT http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_index.htm (free AV software and updates)

TROJANS:

TAUSCAN http://www.agnitum.com/download/ (free trial)

PANDA http://www.pandasoftware.com/ (free scan)

VIRUS REMOVAL TOOLS: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/tools.list.html (free downloads for specific needs)


Cheers.

 

no no it didnt single it out really its just that whenever I run the AAW I look at the log to see which programs are running at the moment and Ive never seen SPOOL32.EXE run before. only programs that runs without AAW finding it was RAY.EXE , Xupiter Browser , and NSS although those spyware programs get downloaded to your comp. without your permission. but anyway I just saw it and wanted to know if it was or not because some things in my system files arent usually caught as spyware or anything even though it doesnt belong there.

 

Your attentive manner is commendable but in this case it didn't help.

I'm the same way, when I see something strange flashing by in that area that not many people bother to read, I try to get an answer that settles my mind. In this case, I think you have gotten yours. All is well with your system.

I hope your problems are always this easy to resolve. If they aren't, post them here on the BBS and they'll be beaten into submission.

Cheers.

 

Well thanks I didnt mean to draw so much attention really I just wanted a simple question answered and this is the only place where I can get that quick answer than anywhere else

 

Kayz--If you found Spool.exe under "Running Processes" at the top of the Log, AA was just telling you that Spool32.dll was running at the time the scan started. It is only items after the Running Processes section (like under "Started extended registry scan ") that you have to worry about.
Actually the more programs you close down before running AA the faster it will run.