Re: redit is not a valid win32application?

Tech-Archive recommends: Fix windows errors by optimizing your registry

Driveby wrote:
"Kerry Brown" wrote:

Driveby wrote:
"Kerry Brown" wrote:

Driveby wrote:
"Kerry Brown" wrote:

Driveby wrote:
Hi guys. I am running XP Pro with the latest SP2 updates.

I have a problem that has recently surfaced. If I attempt to run
regedit. It will not run - and creates the error message:
"regedit is not a valid win32 application". Any ideas what may
be wrong?

If I try to run regedt32.exe - that runs fine.I believe this is
just an emergency editor though?
Has one of my kids deleted or disabled something they shouldn't?
Can I put the error right?
Norton AV scans the computer as being clean BTW as does adaware
and spybot, so I don't think I am virused
Thanks...........

Regedt32.exe is just a shell that runs regedit.exe for backwards
compatibilty with Windows 2000. This means that there may be an
extra copy of regedit on your system. Some malware may cause
these symptoms. Regedit.exe is normally in your C:\Windows
folder. Look to see if there any files called regedit.com or
regedit.bat or regedit.cmd in the Windows folder. Make sure the
regedit.exe file is from Microsoft. In Windows Explorer browse
to the Windows folder and hover the mouse cursor over
regedit.exe. You should see a box with the Company Name and file
version etc.

Kerry


Thanks for the reply, Kerry.

The regedit file is located within the windows folder and it IS
the Microsoft version, properties state it is version:
5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158).

I now find that if I double click the Regedit folder itself - it
actuallyopens the registry editor as it should, so I guess that
bit must be OK.

BUT, If I try to open it from the Run window located on the start
menu - it gives me the error message as previously described.

Any ideas please?

What happens if you type the full path in the run window? e.g.
C:\Windows\regedit.exe Then try C:\Windows\regedit without the .exe
Report back with the results.

Kerry


LOL - This is so weird - it runs fine when I do that. Either
C:\Windows\regedit or C:\Windows\regedit .exe opens the registry as
it should

It used to run by just entering "regedit" in the same window - maybe
Microsoft have just updated things?

You have another copy of a program called regedit.??? somewhere.
This is usually malware of some sort. Do a search for "regedit"
making sure in the advanced options you have it set to search hidden
and system folders. The legitimate files are:

regedit.exe in the Windows folder
regedit.chm in the Windows\Help folder
regedit.chw in the Windows\Help folder
regedit.hlp in the Windows\Help folder
possibly regedit.exe in the Windows\System32\dllcache folder

Anything else is suspect.

I recommend you try another antivirus and antispyware scan with a
different program.

http://www.ewido.net/en/

http://www.webroot.com/

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

There are some very good malware removal tools here:

http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

Kerry

Thanks for the help Kerry. Regedit appears in the following places
C:\windows - 143kb Modified 04/08/2004
c:\windows\$NtservicePackUninstall$ - 131kb modified 29/8/2002
c:\windows\system32 - 0kb modified 28/02/2006
c:\windows\servicepackfiles\i386 - 143kb date modified 04/08/2004
c:windows\system32\dllcache - 131kb date modified 29/08/2004

Two more entries - these puzzle me, dunno if they are genuine or not?

c;\windows\SoftwareDistribution\download\16b2c96a0c41f4dfdb4d3cc228a4f819
- 143kb date modified 04/08/2004

and
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\download\S-1-5-18\7a57263d52ef89a3cee46b33df8a0a10
- 143kb date modified 04/08/2004

All are applications. What do you think?

Those are folders are part of Windows updates. Should be OK. You should do a
scan for malware.

Kerry


.

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