PC Startup troubles.

[Golden Phoenix]

My pc is very slow to startup (I'm talking five minutes or more) and once loaded to dektop gives me an error message about a missing .dll file (don't know the exact mesage but i can get it later if needed)

I've run spyware, antivirus, disc cleanup and a defrag, didn't help.

The computer is nearly a year old, it was a custom built job from an independant shop near the Uni.

Currently running two hard drives, one transplanted from my old pc that went to sillicone heaven (That so sounds like a porn film) when the motherboard literally caught fire trashing a few other components on the way.

Specs on primary drive are as follows:

Running: XP home 2002 SP3.
Processor: Intl Pentium Dual CPU E2180 (2.00 gHz 0.99GB ram apparently)
Disk space: 232GB (18.6 GB used)

[MrSmiley]

My pc is very slow to startup (I'm talking five minutes or more) and once loaded to dektop gives me an error message about a missing .dll file (don't know the exact mesage but i can get it later if needed)

Knowing the exact error message and especially the exact DLL file is a good step. Depending on what it is, it could either be an included part of the Windows system files, or some 3rd party utility you deleted/uninstalled that's still trying to register the DLL on startup.

Currently running two hard drives, one transplanted from my old pc that went to sillicone heaven (That so sounds like a porn film) when the motherboard literally caught fire trashing a few other components on the way.

Most people just have the computer stop working... obviously you're one of those rock n roller wippersnappers who thinks everything should have pyrotechnics.

[Broomjockey]

The reason it sounds like a porn is because it's silicon, silicone is what's in breast implants.

As for a .dll error, try and track down the file, and manually add it in. If it's missing, it's something that's needed.

[Golden Phoenix]

As for a .dll error, try and track down the file, and manually add it in. If it's missing, it's something that's needed.

Since my 2nd Hard drive was litteraly lifted out of the old case and inserted into this one there's a good chance i have a copy of that particular dll i can clone....

Knowing the exact error message and especially the exact DLL file is a good step. Depending on what it is, it could either be an included part of the Windows system files, or some 3rd party utility you deleted/uninstalled that's still trying to register the DLL on startup.

I'll restart and see waht i can find.

Most people just have the computer stop working... obviously you're one of those rock n roller wippersnappers who thinks everything should have pyrotechnics.

Yup, the more fire and sparks the happier i am old 'un

[Eric the Grey]

Since my 2nd Hard drive was litteraly lifted out of the old case and inserted into this one there's a good chance i have a copy of that particular dll i can clone....

Be careful replacing any missing dll file! IF your anti-spyware software removed something and did not completely clean it up, it could still be trying to start with windows, causing the error. Replacing the dll may well "fix" the problem, allowing said spyware to kick off again.

I've seen this happen, but granted, not for several years.

Head over to ProcessLibrary.com and search on the missing dll file name to see if it's safe. If so, then go ahead and replace it.

If not, then you've got something trying to start up that you may not want.


Eric the Grey

[Golden Phoenix]

The missing .dll is:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\fbefsgku.dll

Thank you Eric, i'll go check it out now.

UPDATE: Hmm, processlibrary.com can't find it.

[Eric the Grey]

The missing .dll is:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\fbefsgku.dll

Thank you Eric, i'll go check it out now.

UPDATE: Hmm, processlibrary.com can't find it.

No hits on google either, which makes me wonder. Does it tell you what is trying to launch it? Sometimes the title bar of the error message has the application name.


Eric the Grey

[draggar]

Sounds like malware - update your spyware checkers (SpyBot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware are good ones and free). After you update them (do it more than once to make sure) reboot into safemood (nothing, no network support, nothing) and scan then. It may take longer but it will clean out things that hide themselves from programs like this.

At work, we also use a program called "CleanCache 3.0" which is great for cache cleaning, including a lot of things that basic cleaning won't get rid of.

[Golden Phoenix]

No hits on google either, which makes me wonder. Does it tell you what is trying to launch it? Sometimes the title bar of the error message has the application name.


Eric the Grey

"Startup" not really helpful.

Sounds like malware - update your spyware checkers (SpyBot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware are good ones and free). After you update them (do it more than once to make sure) reboot into safemood (nothing, no network support, nothing) and scan then. It may take longer but it will clean out things that hide themselves from programs like this.

At work, we also use a program called "CleanCache 3.0" which is great for cache cleaning, including a lot of things that basic cleaning won't get rid of.

Ok, i'll try that first. And methinks it may be time to replace spybot.

[Golden Phoenix]

Update:

Ran a spyware sweep in safe mode, got seven things that weren't there when i did the same search in normal mode.

Startup is now as fast as it ever was.

Still getting the error though, and it turns out it's "Rundll" that's at the top of the dialogue box not Startup like i thought. That'll teach me to pay attention.

So, is it likely to be ok to transfer the missing .dll file over from my old (now 2ndary) HD? I left everything exactly as it was, i just boot up from the primary one now.

[Eric the Grey]

So, is it likely to be ok to transfer the missing .dll file over from my old (now 2ndary) HD? I left everything exactly as it was, i just boot up from the primary one now.

My suggestion is to wait until we can determine what it actually is. I can think of two more things to try.

First, and easiest, is to check the Event Viewer. Open up your Control panel and double click on Administrative Tools. The Event Viewer is located in here.

Check for Application events with a red X on them. It may or may not tell you what is failing.

The longer way to check is to use MSCONFIG. Click Start, then Run (or press Windows-Key + R) and type msconfig and press enter.

Go to the Startup tab. This shows everything that starts with windows. Look through it and see if anything looks like it shouldn't be there. The best way to determine what is causing the problem from here is to uncheck one item and reboot. If the error comes back, that was not it. If it has gone away, you've found it.

Windows will tell you you're starting using selective startup (I believe that's the message) It will offer to restore it back to normal and reboot again. Don't do this until you've found your culprit. If you haven't found the problem, go back into msconfig and recheck the good option and uncheck the next one. Keep doing this until you've found the bad one.

From here, you can determine where the startup option is located. More than likely in the registry. The Location column will start with HKLM, HKCU, or similar if it is located in the registry. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DELETE REGISTRY ENTRIES! Seriously, just don't unless you're very, very sure you know what you're doing. You could mess your machine up even worse. If it is located there, your best option is to have someone who knows what their doing fix it for you.

IF, however the location column says "Common Startup" or just "Startup" then go into Start -> Programs -> Startup and delete the shortcut there.

Of course, if it does turn out to be something you still want, see if the dll file is on your old drive and copy it over to the C:\Windows\System32 folder.

Long and complicated, I know, but it's better to be certain what you're dealing with before jumping in and fixing the immediate problem. IF the program is, as I suspect, a piece of spyware that was cleaned up and had something left behind, you really don't want it kicking off again...



Eric the Grey

[Golden Phoenix]

Well, last night i ran three seperate spyware cleaners, (in normal and safe mode) and also a virus scan, and finally i ran a thorough check (which took three hours) using the TrendMicro online scanner which removed two things the rest hadn't caught.

The error is gone. My startup is almost as good as the day i bought the computer.

UPDATE: Spoke too soon. It's still there though startup is faster now. I can't find the program that's causing it, nothing in event viewer.

Gah I thought it was AVG so i uninstalled and reinstalled it but that's not it.

[prb]

Well, last night i ran three seperate spyware cleaners, (in normal and safe mode) and also a virus scan, and finally i ran a thorough check (which took three hours) using the TrendMicro online scanner which removed two things the rest hadn't caught.

The error is gone. My startup is almost as good as the day i bought the computer.

UPDATE: Spoke too soon. It's still there though startup is faster now. I can't find the program that's causing it, nothing in event viewer.

Gah I thought it was AVG so i uninstalled and reinstalled it but that's not it.

Did you use msconfig yet? If not, do so. It's a wonderful utility.

[Golden Phoenix]

I'm gonna go through everything with msconfig now.

The file is not on my old harddrive annoyingly so that option's out anyway.

I have now found out that my dad tried to "help" me with keepingmy computer in top condition by running a registry cleaner program....no idea which one.

The problem started around that time.

[Broomjockey]

Oh geez. Yeah, registry cleaners are a joke. Even the good ones can screw something up. I had problems with my system after I ran one, only it was a bit worse than a missing dll warning on start-up. My computer decided my network card should be turned off, and wouldn't turn it on again.