Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Can't run any Setup.exe Files

0 helpful
11 replies

by dcraun 1 view

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I have a production NT4 IIS 4.0 web server that is doing something very strange. I can not run any setup.exe or even install.exe files. I have checked the registry and removed the BadApps keys, tried uploading new software to be installed, all failed to correct the problem. The program will not run via the GUI shortcut or by command line. No error messages are given. I'm trying to install Netshield since I suspect a virus, but can't. I've scanned the drives from other machines, they checkout clean.

Any Ideas? Thanks!

11 replies

by astute

This is just a sugestion, pls reapply service pack & try again.

Good luck

by dcraun

The problem turned out to be human error. Someone edited the nt.config, changed file limit to 0. Lesson learned, keep a closer eye on unhappy employees.

by sfo farmer

to answer #1: How could he? He can't run any setup- that would probally include the setup for the SP.

It sounds like if you do have a virus, your registry may be hosed.

When was the last good backup on this system? I would first try to restorefrom the backup to the last known good and restore the server and it'registry.
Do you know what virus you may have and if you do have you looked at netsheilds/mcafee (or symantec's) to see if there is a specific tool for removal for that suspected virus?
If you can't run these tools and the backup restore doesn't work- dump your www files to a system (that is running current anti virus protection) and rebuild the server- If you have to rebuild REMEMBER to clear the master boot record from a DOS disk (fdisk /mbr)

I hope this helps you! SFO

by dcraun

The problem turned out to be human error. Someone edited the nt.config, changed file limit to 0. Lesson learned, keep a closer eye on unhappy employees.

by mpdcsup

I know this may sound simplistic, but, have you logged off the machine and logged back on? The only times I've had the problem you are describing is when some .dll or other image sticks in memory and remains registered with NT and an application (.exe) that I'm starting calls it. Usually logging off and then back on clears it up -- other times it takes a warm boot.

I'd say that restoring from a backup (assuming you have one) would be the last resort. You might try shutting down any 3rd-party services you may be running, avoid loading any applications on start up (try to achieve a minimal configuration) and see if that will let you run setup.

Any chance that the setup.exe you're running is corrupt? Or, maybe, it doesn't have a GUI(like unzipping files to an installation directory). If you have a Start button, you're at least running explorer.exe. If you can get a command prompt, then you are able to run either cmd.exe or command.com.

It really does sound like some mis-matched ActiveX controls -- something a service pack re-application could remedy. Even if you can't run the service pack, you can manually extract the files and apply them yourself -- concentrate on the common control .dlls.

Good luck

by dcraun

The problem turned out to be human error. Someone edited the nt.config, changed file limit to 0. Lesson learned, keep a closer eye on unhappy employees.

by glennmelton

This might be silly,

Have you tried to log into the machine locally, with an Administrative account?

Give that a try.

by dwooming

FYI
I have dealt with a virus in the past that disabled all executables, not just setup.exe files.
Are you getting any error messages?

by dcraun

The problem turned out to be human error. Someone edited the nt.config, changed file limit to 0. Lesson learned, keep a closer eye on unhappy employees.

This discussion is closed to new replies.