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registry problem in windows 98se

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9 replies

by rkliwon

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On a network of 13 pc's, 6 of them have been showing a very disturbing message: "windows has encountered a registry-problem and needs to restart"
At first I thought it to be due to wrong software installation and therefor limited to one pc. But this is slowly and surely spreading around.
I am thinking of a possible virus, but neither Norton or Mcafee programs have found anything so far, but trojan horses in temporary internet files. Complete reinstallition helps, but i also need preventive measures and answers to what might be the cause.
Anybody have a clue?

9 replies

by redviking

It sounds like it could be two things.

First, it could be defective memory or processor. But with the amount of machines that is affected and that a reinstall cures it this sounds unbelievable.

Sencondly, it could be some 3rd party software that craduately corrupts windows. So make a full list of everything installed on the computers and then only install the needed software. If the error comes again make a list on what is installed and check against the original. That way you will hopefully be able to find the corrupting software

by thechas

If the anti-virus software has found trojans in the temporary internet files, the machines have been hit.
I would check the virus information at both Norton and McAfee for details on the trojans found. Remeber, that some trojans do there dirty work, and then leave the system.

Check the anti-virus settings on the affected machines. Make sure that they are set to scan full time. Internet, and e-mail worms and trojans cannot be stopped with just periodic scans.

Adding, or strengthing firewalls can help reduce the chance of another attack.
But the best thing is to have the users be very mindful of strange e-mails, and unusual activity at web sites.

The websites that have set off my anti-virus software were not business related. So I suspect your users have been places they shouldn't have been on company machines.

by philthegreat

1) Check your log to identify the similar setting when the message is found.

If it seems that after the opening of IE or email or browsing the internet; then the trojan horses may be the source.
(You can clean the trojan; by the Cleaner of Moosoft.)

If after using one software or services in the NT (the server); then try to un-install the software and stop the services. Any new software which can affect the network? For example, 3rd parties software enhancing the network or checking the network? Even it is from Microsoft may have lots of bugs.

2) Preventive measures: autoscan software for BOTH virus and trojan horses (sometimes, virus scanners are not good at trojan horses detection; so I use both.)

by rkliwon

the error-message occurs after startup, on the point of showing the desktop background and icons.

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