When I try to download any software I get an error message that the program "is not a valid win32 application".
I also get a second file downloaded with the extension .part.
I can download pdf files & other non executable items.
Does anyone know what is going on.
Thanks,
Seahome
Hi Seahome - There are several possibilities here so we will need some more info to help diagnose please. What browser are you using (e.g. Internet Explorer 6/7/8, Firefox, Opera,etc.)? Are you getting the error message; 1) immediately after hitting the download link, 2) during download or 3) after download is said to be completed and you are trying to install?? And finally, I have to ask (sorry), you are definitely downloading 32bit versions of software and not 64bit, yes?
A .part file extension generally refers to a 'partial download file'...which would suggest that, for some reason, your downloads are not completing properly and the resulting file is therefore also incomplete. That would definitely tend to invoke that particular error message.
If this is a regular occurrence, it would seem something is interfering with your downloads, at this stage, with the info we have so far, I would guess malware to be the most likely suspect.
First off, if you are using Internet Explorer, clear all "Browsing History" and "Temporary Internet Files" and try again. If using Firefox delete all "Private Data" and try again. I don't really expect that to work but it is the simplest/easiest possibility to deal with and one which should be eliminated anyway.
What security programs do you have installed? Run thorough (full) scans from all of them. I would suggest you download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (if you don't already have it). I know you cannot do that on your machine at the moment but could you, perhaps, download the file from another computer to flash drive and install from there?
Download from here: https://davescomputertips.com/free_s
http://en.kioskea.net/faq/sujet-1591-ex ... pplication
cheers....JIM
Thanks Jim.
I went you your links & tried everything with no luck.
I'm using Firefox & clear private data automatically.
The error message occurs when I try to install the program. The error message looks like this.
C:Program Filesmyprogramprogram.exe is not a valid Win32 application. It happens to all .exe files I try to install but I can install a compressed file.
I did a scan with avg antivirus & a well known anti spyware program that has since expired so I don't remember which one but no hits. I went through everything using Hijack This & found nothing there either.
Friends have been getting a spam message with a cc list of my mail list to everyone on my e-mail list so I know someone has gotten into my comp that way & I turned up nothing on a scan for that either.
I have a duel core 64 bit system. Could that have something to do with it? I haven't upgraded the OS to take advantage of that & am still using XP Pro & I do install the updates from MS.
Thats all I can think of now but let me know it you need more info.
Thanks again.
Sea
Hey Seahome - Sorry about the delay in responding but our power has been down all day.....wonderful!!!
From what you have now relayed I am leaning even more toward the possibility of malware. Which software is accepted (i.e. either 32bit or 64bit) is governed by your operating system so no problems with the dual core CPU, etc.
Would it be possible for you to download MBAM (as previously suggested) or SuperAntiSpyware, or both on a friend's computer, then transfer the setup/execute files to a flash drive and install on your machine?? If so, please do that, let them do their thing then please report back.
It is imperative that malware be eliminated as a possibility and those two scanner/removers (MBAM and SAS) are the best around.....both are free.
If it is not possible for you to do that then I would suggest using an online scanner such as Trend Micro HouseCall to scan for malware:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/au/
let us know the result please,
cheers....JIM
Sea,
Jim is right on about the .part file being an incomplete download. Why? Well that is the $20 questions, isn't it?
If it is only on exe files my first guess would be your antivirus software. I would disable it, download an exe from a KNOWN GOOD SITE, and see if it completes. If it doesn't then I would bet your antivirus is trying to scan the download but isn't going a good/complete job. Don't forget to re-enable your antivirus after the test.
There was some discussion several months ago where people were experiencing the same problem with AVG and firefox. Some uninstalled both, then installed Firefox 3 before installing AVG. Others had success with other antivirus programs (ESET anyone?).
If that is not it my second guess would be firefox corruption. I would redownload Firefox 3, install, and create a new profile to use.
Hi again.
Thank you both very much. I posted on another forum a while ago & got no replies at all.
I disabled AVG & tried downloading both of your recommended files & got the same failed download. I'm now running House Call now & will let you know what develops. It's taking a very long time to run.
I will be able to use a friends broadband this Friday to download your recommendations.
I'm not opposed to re-installing Firefox & an AV program. (Do you have a Free AV program that you recommend over AVG?) I will wait until I have the results of the scans before doing that.
Back to you later & thanks again.
Sea.
Hey Seahome - Yes, HouseCall can take quite a while to complete but it is a very thorough scan.
On the free anti virus offerings: There was a time when AVG was arguably the best but, unfortunately, those days are long gone...they got it wrong with their latest version. It is reputed to be heavier on resources (memory) than the other two big freebies and they dropped some major features from the free version, including rootkit prevention. At this point in time either Avast or AntiVir would be a better choice....there is little between them, especially since AntiVir has now added a basic anti spyware component. AntVir is ever so slightly ahead in the detections department but Avast is more of a complete set and forget solution.
I use Avast and it is my personal favourite, as well as being fully automatic, it has done a great job for me. I have nothing against AntiVir and would have no qualms recommending either.
Download links here: https://davescomputertips.com/free_s ... ivirus.php
BTW: I do agree with Dave about the re-install of Firefox, on the proviso that you have been using FF's built-in download manager and not a 3rd party one??
cheers.....JIM
Hi again.
House Call turned up no infections.
Does that mean I'm clean? I will still download your recommended programs & Avast as I would like more security.
I've kept Firefox updated using their automatic updater. If I re-install Firefox do I need to delete it first & start from scratch?
Thanks,
Sea
Hey Sea - Yes, I would still download and run a scan, at least through MBAM. House Call is a very good scanner but not even the best find all the nasties all the time. If MBAM comes up clean I would not worry about SAS though.....I reckon it would be safe to assume (if neither House call nor MBAM find anything) that your machine is clean.
I would definitely uninstall Firefox prior to re-installing latest version. It is important to uninstall [i:3ay163nw]everything[/i:3ay163nw] from the old Firefox first.
cheers...JIM
Sea - A further thought...If, after those steps, the problem still remains I would suggest downloading and running 'HiJack This' (zip) so you can post a log here for us to have a look at. Are you familiar with HiJack This? If it gets to that stage and you need some help with it, just post back here.
cheers......JIM
Hi Jim
I downloaded Hijackthis.zip. when I click to install it a windows security box pops up with the message that this file is potentially harmful & to help protect your computer windows has blocked access to this file.
Could this be part of the problem with installing .exe files?
What do I do?
Thanks,
Sea
Are you sure this is a Windows warning, and not an AVG or other security program warning?
Hi again.
Good catch. It says windows security warning at the top but has a shield with the AVG colors. I installed the AVG toolbar in firefox quite some time ago & didn't like it & then found it doesn't have an uninstaller. I have it disabled but still there. I say this in case it has something to do with this. In any case I will uninstall AVG & install Avast.
I went to my friends place & downloaded Hijackthis installer, Firefox, Avast, AROTrial_bt.exe & InstallCyberDefenderEDC-222016.exe. I don't know what the last two are but they appeared when trying to download one of the recommended security programs.
Here is the HJT log.
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 3:26:44 PM, on 4/10/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.5730.0013)
Boot mode: Normal
Running processes:
C:WINDOWSSystem32smss.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32winlogon.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32services.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32lsass.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32svchost.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32svchost.exe
C:WINDOWSExplorer.EXE
C:Program FilesMicrosoft IntelliPointipoint.exe
C:ProgramsBillP StudiosWinPatrolwinpatrol.exe
C:PROGRA~1AVGAVG8avgtray.exe
C:PROGRA~1AVGAVG8avgwdsvc.exe
C:Program FilesCOMODOFirewallcmdagent.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32msiexec.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32nvsvc32.exe
C:Program FilesTrend MicroRUBottedTMRUBotted.exe
c:Program FilesMicrosoft IntelliPointdpupdchk.exe
C:Program FilesCOMODOFirewallcfp.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32ctfmon.exe
C:WINDOWSqmc.exe
C:ProgramsSpywareGuardsgmain.exe
C:ProgramsYCIIIYankClip.exe
C:ProgramsSpywareGuardsgbhp.exe
C:PROGRA~1AVGAVG8avgemc.exe
C:PROGRA~1AVGAVG8avgrsx.exe
C:PROGRA~1AVGAVG8avgnsx.exe
C:Program FilesAVGAVG8avgcsrvx.exe
C:WINDOWSsystem32wuauclt.exe
C:Program FilesTrend MicroHijackThisHijackThis.exe
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink.....nkId=69157
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink.....nkId=54896
R1 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink.....nkId=54896
R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerMain,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink.....nkId=69157
R0 - HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerSearch,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCUSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionInternet Settings,ProxyServer = 0.0.0.0:80
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:Program FilesAVGAVG8avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: SpywareGuard Download Protection - {4A368E80-174F-4872-96B5-0B27DDD11DB2} - C:ProgramsSpywareGuarddlprotect.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:Program FilesJavajre1.6.0_06binssv.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Security Toolbar - {A057A204-BACC-4D26-9990-79A187E2698E} - C:PROGRA~1AVGAVG8AVGTOO~1.DLL
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {B164E929-A1B6-4A06-B104-2CD0E90A88FF} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: AVG Security Toolbar - {A057A204-BACC-4D26-9990-79A187E2698E} - C:PROGRA~1AVGAVG8AVGTOO~1.DLL
O4 - HKLM..Run: [IntelliPoint] "c:Program FilesMicrosoft IntelliPointipoint.exe"
O4 - HKLM..Run: [WinPatrol] C:ProgramsBillP StudiosWinPatrolwinpatrol.exe -expressboot
O4 - HKLM..Run: [AVG8_TRAY] C:PROGRA~1AVGAVG8avgtray.exe
O4 - HKLM..Run: [COMODO Firewall Pro] "C:Program FilesCOMODOFirewallcfp.exe" -h
O4 - HKCU..Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:WINDOWSsystem32ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-19..RunOnce: [nltide_2] regsvr32 /s /n /i:U shell32 (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-20..RunOnce: [nltide_2] regsvr32 /s /n /i:U shell32 (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUSS-1-5-18..RunOnce: [nltide_2] regsvr32 /s /n /i:U shell32 (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS.DEFAULT..RunOnce: [nltide_2] regsvr32 /s /n /i:U shell32 (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: QuickMonth Calendar.lnk = C:WINDOWSqmc.exe
O4 - Startup: SpywareGuard.lnk = C:ProgramsSpywareGuardsgmain.exe
O4 - Startup: Yankee Clipper III.lnk = C:ProgramsYCIIIYankClip.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:PROGRA~1MICROS~2OFFICE11EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:Program FilesJavajre1.6.0_06binssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:Program FilesJavajre1.6.0_06binssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:PROGRA~1MICROS~2OFFICE11REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:WINDOWSNetwork Diagnosticxpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:WINDOWSNetwork Diagnosticxpnetdiag.exe
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/windows ... 1179443671
O17 - HKLMSystemCCSServicesTcpip..{850A32DB-8AC9-4ADE-BFD3-79AB86CA28F1}: NameServer = 208.67.222.222,208.67.220.220
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:Program FilesAVGAVG8avgpp.dll
O18 - Protocol: sacore - {5513F07E-936B-4E52-9B00-067394E91CC5} - (no file)
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: avgrsstx.dll C:WINDOWSsystem32guard32.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgrsstarter - C:WINDOWSSYSTEM32avgrsstx.dll
O23 - Service: AVG Free8 E-mail Scanner (avg8emc) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:PROGRA~1AVGAVG8avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Free8 WatchDog (avg8wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:PROGRA~1AVGAVG8avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: COMODO Firewall Pro Helper Service (cmdAgent) - Unknown owner - C:Program FilesCOMODOFirewallcmdagent.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:WINDOWSsystem32nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro RUBotted Service (RUBotted) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:Program FilesTrend MicroRUBottedTMRUBotted.exe
O23 - Service: Windows Live Setup Service (WLSetupSvc) - Unknown owner - C:Program FilesWindows LiveinstallerWLSetupSvc.exe (file missing)
--
End of file - 5645 bytes
Thanks for all the help.
Sea
In Firefox go to Tools>Addons>Extensions and see if there are any extensions listed for AVG. If there are highlight them and disable.
In the log I see Spyware Guard. There are two programs with this name. The first is OK and made by Javacool Software. The other possibility is Spyware Guard 2009, which is rogue software! Either way, I would try to remove it. If it is the legit software from Javacool I think you will be OK without it (You have an anitvirus, Winpatrol, Comodo, etc) (Looks like it's the good one)
Unless I've missed something everything else looks OK.
I really believe your problem is AVG at this point.
Hey Sea - Sorry about the delay...I've been away visiting family. Anyway, I see Dave has you covered.
I agree with Dave, the HJT log looks pretty clean.....follow his advice and post back with the results please.
cheers....JIM
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