Help! Win32 Error out of hand.

I'm unsure where else to post this, numerous other tech/virus foruns
have been no help at all, hopefully someone can offer a few suggestions
for myself to fix this!

A couple of days ago I ran into this problem for the first time, and it
seems to have progressed dramatically since then limiting the number of
things I can do. I've been reading up on this for the past few hours,
and no results/forums seem to have an answer to my specific problem.
The first symptom of what from what I've read is a win32 virus is, I
can't open TaskManager, regedit, msconifc, device manager, System
Restore and an array of any other program that would seem to help solve
this issue, but most other programs are unaffected. When I do try to run
any of these, I get *[ name ] is not a valid Win32 Application.* as an
error, and thats it. With Taskmanager is a bit different, it tells me
that *C:\Windows\system32\VDMDBG.dll is either not designed to run on
Windows or it contains an error. Try installing he program again using
the original installation media or conact your system administrator or
the software vendor for support
*I find this odd, because its taskManager, none of that error applies.
VDMDBG.dll in the sys32 folder is 0kb, so I went and downloaded a new
dll file, but it will not let me delete the old one, replace the old
one, OR rename it. When I try and change my permissions I get *%1 is
not a Win32 application.*
Secondly, I cannot install anything, because of this. whenever I try to
download a file, and then in turn run the .exe, it tells me that [ Name
] is not a valid Win32 Application. So I can't use any of the registry
cleaners that so readily 'fix' this problem. Basically I'm left with AVG
the clean this up, and AVG hasnt managed to pick up anything.
I've checked so many different searches, forums, and the microsoft
support pages, and NOTHING seems to fit this exact problem.
I just recently got this computer, and was in the process of
re-installing games and software when this happened, I'm running Vista
and so far no solutions have been able to fit this. If anyone can offer
any suggestions they will be much appreciated, and I will list off any
other information that may be usefull if needed.


--
Project002

Project002 wrote:
> I'm unsure where else to post this, numerous other tech/virus foruns
> have been no help at all, hopefully someone can offer a few
> suggestions for myself to fix this!
>
> A couple of days ago I ran into this problem for the first time, and
> it seems to have progressed dramatically since then limiting the
> number of things I can do. I've been reading up on this for the past
> few hours, and no results/forums seem to have an answer to my
> specific problem. The first symptom of what from what I've read is a
> win32 virus is, I can't open TaskManager, regedit, msconifc, device
> manager, System Restore and an array of any other program that would
> seem to help solve this issue, but most other programs are
> unaffected. When I do try to run any of these, I get *[ name ] is not
> a valid Win32 Application.* as an error, and thats it. With
> Taskmanager is a bit different, it tells me that
> *C:\Windows\system32\VDMDBG.dll is either not designed to run on
> Windows or it contains an error. Try installing he program again
> using the original installation media or conact your system
> administrator or the software vendor for support *I find this odd,
> because its taskManager, none of that error applies. VDMDBG.dll in
> the sys32 folder is 0kb, so I went and downloaded a new dll file, but
> it will not let me delete the old one, replace the old one, OR rename
> it. When I try and change my permissions I get *%1 is not a Win32
> application.*
> Secondly, I cannot install anything, because of this. whenever I try
> to download a file, and then in turn run the .exe, it tells me that [
> Name ] is not a valid Win32 Application. So I can't use any of the
> registry cleaners that so readily 'fix' this problem. Basically I'm
> left with AVG the clean this up, and AVG hasnt managed to pick up
> anything.
> I've checked so many different searches, forums, and the microsoft
> support pages, and NOTHING seems to fit this exact problem.
> I just recently got this computer, and was in the process of
> re-installing games and software when this happened, I'm running Vista
> and so far no solutions have been able to fit this. If anyone can
> offer any suggestions they will be much appreciated, and I will list
> off any other information that may be usefull if needed.

Well, one good thing is the inability to use a registry cleaner. Virtually
no one approves of their use.

Presently, you'll get a detailed list of remedial actions to take; none of
the will involve "registry cleaners (destroyers)."

Project002

Start with the basics. Run a complete system scan with your anti-virus
software. Make sure the definition files are up to date.

Next, run the System File Checker. This will ensure that all of the system
files are intact.

Go to Start and type cmd.exe in the search box. In the results, right
click cmd.exe and select the Run As Administrator option.

In the command box, type: sfc /scannow
Press Enter.

It will take awhile to run so be patient.

Some questions.

Did Vista come pre-installed on this computer?
Do you have a Vista installation DVD?
Do you have a current backup, made before the problem started?


--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"Project002" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> I'm unsure where else to post this, numerous other tech/virus foruns
> have been no help at all, hopefully someone can offer a few suggestions
> for myself to fix this!
>
> A couple of days ago I ran into this problem for the first time, and it
> seems to have progressed dramatically since then limiting the number of
> things I can do. I've been reading up on this for the past few hours,
> and no results/forums seem to have an answer to my specific problem.
> The first symptom of what from what I've read is a win32 virus is, I
> can't open TaskManager, regedit, msconifc, device manager, System
> Restore and an array of any other program that would seem to help solve
> this issue, but most other programs are unaffected. When I do try to run
> any of these, I get *[ name ] is not a valid Win32 Application.* as an
> error, and thats it. With Taskmanager is a bit different, it tells me
> that *C:\Windows\system32\VDMDBG.dll is either not designed to run on
> Windows or it contains an error. Try installing he program again using
> the original installation media or conact your system administrator or
> the software vendor for support
> *I find this odd, because its taskManager, none of that error applies.
> VDMDBG.dll in the sys32 folder is 0kb, so I went and downloaded a new
> dll file, but it will not let me delete the old one, replace the old
> one, OR rename it. When I try and change my permissions I get *%1 is
> not a Win32 application.*
> Secondly, I cannot install anything, because of this. whenever I try to
> download a file, and then in turn run the .exe, it tells me that [ Name
> ] is not a valid Win32 Application. So I can't use any of the registry
> cleaners that so readily 'fix' this problem. Basically I'm left with AVG
> the clean this up, and AVG hasnt managed to pick up anything.
> I've checked so many different searches, forums, and the microsoft
> support pages, and NOTHING seems to fit this exact problem.
> I just recently got this computer, and was in the process of
> re-installing games and software when this happened, I'm running Vista
> and so far no solutions have been able to fit this. If anyone can offer
> any suggestions they will be much appreciated, and I will list off any
> other information that may be usefull if needed.
>
>
> --
> Project002

On Sat, 13 Oct 2007 10:17:20 -0500, "HeyBub" <> wrote:


>Well, one good thing is the inability to use a registry cleaner. Virtually
>no one approves of their use.

Bullshit, but hey, thanks for sharing your ignorance.

I've done a scan with AVG, numerous times in normal mode
and nothing appears to be wrong, I just finished doing a scan in safe
mode and it let me know that there was a reading error with 'boot sector
of disk C:' other then that, nothing has come up.

I can open cmd.exe, but I cannot run it as an administrator, when I try
to I recieve 'not a valid win32 application'.

Vista *did *come pre-installed,
I'm not 100% sure that I have the DVD, but I beleive I do.
Yes, I made a backup once I got the computer.

>
> Start with the basics. Run a complete system scan with your anti-virus
> software. Make sure the definition files are up to date.
>
> Next, run the System File Checker. This will ensure that all of the
> system
> files are intact.
>
> Go to Start and type cmd.exe in the search box. In the results, right
> click cmd.exe and select the Run As Administrator option.
>
> In the command box, type: sfc /scannow
> Press Enter.
>
> It will take awhile to run so be patient.
>
> Some questions.
>
> Did Vista come pre-installed on this computer?
> Do you have a Vista installation DVD?
> Do you have a current backup, made before the problem started?
>


--
Project002

I think that the start to fixing this error is somehow removing and
replacing the corrupt VDMDBG.dll file, But I have no idea how to go
about this,
I can't do anything to change the file.
Once i get this fixed TaskManager should start working again, and
hopefully it will give me a slight advantage over whatever is infecting
my computer.


--
Project002

"Project002" <> wrote...
> I think that the start to fixing this error is somehow removing and
> replacing the corrupt VDMDBG.dll file, But I have no idea how to go
> about this,

VDMDBG.DLL is a core operating system file that is installed as part of
Vista. It is the "Virtual DOS Machine Debug" library. It provides facilities
to debug 16-bit applications running on 32-bit Windows. Amongst other
things, it gets loaded by Task Manager to enumerate the 16-bit processes
running on the system.

Possibly it is also called by the other system utilities like Regedit ... I
haven't looked to check (yet).

You cannot download a copy of this file from the internet; you must install
a version which matches your version of Vista. I strongly agree with Ronnie
Vernon: your best bet would be to run a SCF /Scannow.

If you didn't get Vista on DVD media with your system, you can in fact use
*any* Vista DVD, if you can beg steal or borrow one from a friend. Probably
a matching edition would be best eg Home Premium if you have Home Premium,
Ultimate if you have Ultimate, etc ... but that is probably not essential.
Boot up from the borrowed DVD and then choose the "Repair" option. Either
select the option to repair your system, or go to a command prompt and then
run "SCF /scannow". When it is completed, reboot and hopefully you should be
in good shape.

Another approach (less reliable) would be to manually copy VDMDBG.DLL from
another Vista installation to your machine, eg via USB key. This file is the
same on all editions. But only try this if the repair options don't work.

Hope it helps a bit,
--
Andrew McLaren
amclar (at) optusnet dot com dot au

For the installation issue, when the download asks Run or Save, select Run
instead of Save, then Run again to install. For other serious repair options
please see the following list:

1. Specific Applications/Devices Not Working. Try updating and/or
reinstalling your drivers for the application or device not working properly.
Go to Control Panel, select Device Manager, then select the device,
right-click and select Update Driver Software. You may need to go to the
website where you bought your computer (i.e. Dell) or to the specific
software vendor for an updated driver. If you end up doing a Vista Upgrade
Repair Reinstall, you may have to reinstall some of your drivers as well.

2. Run CheckDisk Error Checking. This will fix many errors on your system.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-checkdisk.html

3. Do a System Restore. Restore from a date before you started having
problems.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76...how.html?ltr=S

4. Do a Vista Complete PC Restore. If you have made a Complete PC Backup on
a date before you started having problems, do a Complete PC Restore. Go to
Control Panel, then select Backup & Restore Center, then Complete PC Restore.
Click on What Are The Steps I Need To Take To Restore My Computer and follow
the steps.

5. Run System File Check. This can repair many corrupted system files. It
will also identify in the log file any corrupt files it could not repair.
You can replace corrupt system files identified by SFC with good files from
your Vista Install DVD (see below).

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66...tem-files.html

6. Run Vista DVD Startup Repair. Startup Repair can repair lots of things,
not just startup.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91...up-repair.html

7. Access System Files From Your Vista Install DVD. If SFC (above)
identified corrupt system files that it could not repair, access good files
from your Vista DVD and copy them to your OS to replace the corrupt files.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/86...dvd-files.html

8. Do a Vista Upgrade Repair Reinstall. This gives you a new OS without
disturbing settings, files, folders, other programs, applications, devices,
etc.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88...all-vista.html

9. Do a Clean Install. If all else fails, do a Clean Install of Vista.
This will reformat your hard drive and lay down a nice, clean Windows Vista
so you can start over from the beginning. Be sure to Backup your Non-OS
files and folders to another hard drive or other media so you can restore
them to your C drive after the Clean Install. You will also have to
reinstall your other programs, applications and devices.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68...n-install.html


"Project002" wrote:

>
> I'm unsure where else to post this, numerous other tech/virus foruns
> have been no help at all, hopefully someone can offer a few suggestions
> for myself to fix this!
>
> A couple of days ago I ran into this problem for the first time, and it
> seems to have progressed dramatically since then limiting the number of
> things I can do. I've been reading up on this for the past few hours,
> and no results/forums seem to have an answer to my specific problem.
> The first symptom of what from what I've read is a win32 virus is, I
> can't open TaskManager, regedit, msconifc, device manager, System
> Restore and an array of any other program that would seem to help solve
> this issue, but most other programs are unaffected. When I do try to run
> any of these, I get *[ name ] is not a valid Win32 Application.* as an
> error, and thats it. With Taskmanager is a bit different, it tells me
> that *C:\Windows\system32\VDMDBG.dll is either not designed to run on
> Windows or it contains an error. Try installing he program again using
> the original installation media or conact your system administrator or
> the software vendor for support
> *I find this odd, because its taskManager, none of that error applies.
> VDMDBG.dll in the sys32 folder is 0kb, so I went and downloaded a new
> dll file, but it will not let me delete the old one, replace the old
> one, OR rename it. When I try and change my permissions I get *%1 is
> not a Win32 application.*
> Secondly, I cannot install anything, because of this. whenever I try to
> download a file, and then in turn run the .exe, it tells me that [ Name
> ] is not a valid Win32 Application. So I can't use any of the registry
> cleaners that so readily 'fix' this problem. Basically I'm left with AVG
> the clean this up, and AVG hasnt managed to pick up anything.
> I've checked so many different searches, forums, and the microsoft
> support pages, and NOTHING seems to fit this exact problem.
> I just recently got this computer, and was in the process of
> re-installing games and software when this happened, I'm running Vista
> and so far no solutions have been able to fit this. If anyone can offer
> any suggestions they will be much appreciated, and I will list off any
> other information that may be usefull if needed.
>
>
> --
> Project002
>