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iexplore.exe is not a valid Win32 application


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#1
Harlem

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Just tried to open IE and got this message

C:/Program Files/Internet Explorer/iexplore.exe is not a valid Win32 application

How can I solve this

Thanks in advance guys


PS I can still access the net as I had a page open and my tabs still work

PPS. It is not just with IE this is happening, I have just tried to open SuperAntispyware and I get a variation of the same message (Same goes for music files - C:/Program Files/windows media player/wmplayer.exe is not a valid Win32 application )

Also my start menu will not expand

Edited by Harlem, 03 December 2007 - 12:39 PM.

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#2
Ax238

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Hello Harlem,

Sounds like quite an issue. Let's start off by running the System File Checker Utility (SFC):
Hold the Window key and press R. Type sfc /scannow in the Run window, and press Enter.

If SFC does identify missing or corrupted Operating System files, it may ask you to insert your Windows XP installation CD so a fresh copy of the correct file can be copied and pasted into the system files.

If you do not have your Windows XP installation CD, or if errors in the process occur, please post back with specifics or questions.

SFC scan and replacements take about 8-12 minutes depending upon the size of your file tree and the speed of your CPU/RAM. If SFC opens and then closes within a few seconds or under one minute, It did not complete, and must be repeated.

Sometimes, a second scan run of SFC is necessary, even if SFC completes the first time, in order to replace all missing or corrupted files. If SFC completes, you can safely run it a second time for good measure.

A good way to tell whether you should run it again is if you look in the Event Log and see the following Application event entry after running SFC:
Source:	  Windows File Protection 
Event ID:	64002 (or 64021)

You could also try doing a system restore to a point prior to the time the issue first started occurring. Use the above step for getting to the run window, type rstrui.exe, and press Enter. Follow the prompts and it will restore your system if it can.

Regards,

Ax
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#3
Harlem

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Hi there Ax

I will do what you suggest when I get home tonight and post the results tomorrow when I get back to work

I did try to do a System Restore (from System Tools) but got a message along the lines of C:/Program Files/System Restore/sr.exe.is not a valid Win32 application

This message (or a variation of it) comes up with almost anything I try to run

I also went into the system menu (F8) when the Compter was restarting to try to 'Go to last best configiration' but when the computer restarted I still had the same problem

FYI. I cannot restart or Shutdown the computer either, when I try I am told 'I do not have permission to restart'

My problems started after I downloaded & installed Comodo Firewall, I dont know why but IMO I think this has something to do with my problems, I did try to remove Comodo but when i go to Add/Remove Programs I get the same old message C:/Program Files/Add/Remove Programs.exe.is not a valid Win32 application (Not exactly what it said but close)
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#4
Ax238

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OK, well I'm not so sure that SFC will resolve your problem anymore. This is sounding more and more like there are other problems we need to take care of first.

I suggest you go to the Malware Forum and run all the steps located in the START HERE. These self-help tools will help you clean up 70% of problems on your own. If you are still having problems after doing the steps, then please post a HiJackThis Log in THAT forum. If you are unable to run and/or post a HJT log, then post that in your initial post in the topic you create in that forum.

If you are still having problems after being given a clean bill of health from the malware expert, then please return to THIS thread and we will pursue other options to help you solve your current problem(s).

Regards,

Ax
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#5
Harlem

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Hi there Ax, thanks for the reply

I tried to run both your suggestions in 'Normal Mode' ans 'Safe Mode' but with no luck

I was still convinced the the problem was something to do with Comodo, so (in safe mode) I removed it completely from the computer - restarted in 'normal mode' and the problem has beedn resolved



Somehow?
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#6
-OCM770-

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it IS comod, i use it and it is a great firewall, you need to make [bleep] sure iexplore is NOT on the blocked list, if it is remove it from there, once you do so and open internet explorer again make sure you hit allow on the firewall warning.
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#7
Ax238

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Thanks for posting back your fix, that was a logical thing to try, as the problem started after the install. Good work figuring it out! Comodo may have blacklisted every executable you ran. I'm not sure about the settings for Comodo, but I know that there are many types of security software that can cripple your system, with certain settings.

Ax
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#8
Harlem

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Thanks for taking the time to help out guys
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#9
dryrain

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it IS comod, i use it and it is a great firewall, you need to make [bleep] sure iexplore is NOT on the blocked list, if it is remove it from there, once you do so and open internet explorer again make sure you hit allow on the firewall warning.



I was running a procedure to clean the system (http://www.techspot....topic58138.html)...

I run SmitFraudFix in SAFE MODE, then in NORMAL MODE I
run its option number 5: about remove the DNS Hijacks.

Then I run Vundofix and COMMODO Firewall PRO stopped
it. I told it to run it as an "isolated application",
but nothing.

I run COMMODO Firewall PRO settings and created "a new
trusted application", browsing towards the Vundofix
file... and there the Chaos!

The mess!

Any application I launch.... I hear the error sound
and a message that tell me (translated from
italian...) about: "it isn't a Win32 valid
application".

I can't run NOTHING!


I shutdown the COMMODO Firewall.
Tried to re-launch: SAME ERROR!

I powered off the computer.
Power on: boot: it doesn't run the COMMODO Firewall at
startup and also other apps.... I click on any icon:
SAME ERROR!


I can't modify COMMODO Firewall's settings now:
because it is not launched, even if I restart the
computer, and if I try to launch or uninstall it, I
get the same error!

Windows become totally useless!

Please help me.
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#10
dryrain

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NEWS: I can run comodo firewall if I boot windows in safe mode.

NEWS 2: PROBLEM SOLVED: I launched the uninstall of comodo firewall under windows safe mode and rebooted: it works. I reinstalled the comodo firewall.

Edited by dryrain, 07 May 2008 - 06:02 PM.

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#11
illich

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I also have this problem,

My laptop became crammed with trojans that I couldn't remove and I decided to re-install windows.

That done, I decided to re-install and update AVG. It started blocking programs and being a nuicance so I tried unsuccessfully to uninstall it until I tried in safe mode.

But now (since I installed AVG) I get this ...is not a valid win32 application, but only for temporary internet files. I have tried a few of the fixes posted but none have yet worked. I am trying system file check and will get back to you if this works.
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