WgaTray.exe - Application Error

Techs, Oooops. I recently installed and uninstalled some applications. In addition, I added a new firewall and used some new utilities to clean caches and defrag. After trying to run some zipped .exegames from MSN, I started received many (about 50, +/-) popups saying WgaTray.exe - Application Error with a specific address. I kept clicking the OK button to get through them. After booting normally in Windows, when I clicked on Internet Explorer, or System Tools/Disk Cleanup or anything else, the hourglass appeared then went away. Jeeeez, wha'd I do? Paultpa

Thats a bit vague to give a specific idea, but I appreciate it's not always easy to give such info, so we are going to have to play around a bit and see what we can find out. The fact your getting that error popping up begs the question is it a legal OS installed ? I have to ask as WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) is down to m$, it's the tool they install on unsuspecting users that checks all is as it should be, so whatever has gone on this has obviously become upset. The quickest possible solution is system restore, have you tried that yet ? Should that not help have you checked in the event log for any clues ? Also if you have protection installed have you run any scans yet ? I ask as sometimes games include things that are spyware and the like, coming from msn makes no difference I don't think, if you go to shockwave.com you will find numerous games that install unwanted extras, if you don't allow this you can't play the game, often you may not even be aware of this unless you run scans often and relate the findings to what you do etc, so it may be worth running some checks to see if anything is in the background of this, see how this goes and let us know.

Hi paultpa

Jeeeez, wha'd I do?

According to your own report, you did the following:

• recently installed and uninstalled some applications
• added a new firewall and used some new utilities to clean caches and defrag.
• trying to run some zipped .exegames from MSN, I started received many (about 50, +/-) popups saying WgaTray.exe - Application Error with a specific address
• I kept clicking
• After booting normally in Windows, when I clicked on Internet Explorer, or System Tools/Disk Cleanup or anything else, the hourglass appeared then went away.

And in a separate recent post:

What are .sop files? I found many in my directory with names of specifics brands and products. They suggested the names of spam campaigns to me, so I deleted them.
Then my config.sys file was hosed

In previous posts to Malware Removal and Microsoft Windows Topics you received directions to assist in restoring your boot.ini file, but did not reply with your results.

In a previous Malware Removal Topic you indicated your impatience and stated that you would "hit a different tech board"

In your very first post, you were successful removing infections, but added in a variety of your own fix steps without instruction from your Malware Removal helper, and then demonstrated some relatively conflicted logic when describing what you would pick and choose from the prevention recommendations offered by your helper.
_________________________________

paultpa, it's your machine.
You have the right to do with it, as you see fit.
However, when you do the kind of chaotic things you refer to above,
you also have the right to experience the consequences of your machine not running as expected.

If you wish to have competent assistance to repair and restore function of the machine when things go wrong, you will have to do two things:
1. Provide specific detailed information (read here) Guidelines: Asking for and offering help
2. Follow the step-by-step instructions given by the volunteer helper (including posting the result after following the instruction)

Tech Admin