HELP SOMEBODY PLEASE

Hi there, I repeatedly get the error message 'The procedure entry point strcat_s could not be located in the dynamic link library msccrt.dll. I do not have a cd drive so I am unable to reboot using a cd rom !! Makes the problem even more sticky hey. I have no access to my documents I received with my laptop as I'm in the depths of Thailand. I will pray to Buddha, Allah, Jesus, Sita, Jehovah on your behalf if you can help me …

Is this a new problem? Were things OK yesterday? What exactly were/are you doing when you receive this error? This is generally an error triggered by a particular program. If it is a new issue try a System Restore to a point prior to your problem. START > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

Hey there, Yeah it might have been a kids game I was downloading for my girl,I only found the problem on the next startup. You see I can't get beyond this error message and so can't get to the start menu. The only functions I have access to is the task manager! Even if I downloaded the necessary files on a stick I don't think I could open them. Any inspiring thoughts? Thanks for replying to me, really appreciate it. Fairie Fee

Hi, until jephree can get back to you, I suggest you try to use a System Restore Point, (as jephree said) to set your system back to a date before the problem started.
You mention that you can can access Task Manager so open Task Manager and:

1 Click on File
2 Click on New Task (Run…)
3 In the white box that will open type
%SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
4 Click on OK
Please note that you must type the above command exactly as I have set it out….,make even the slightest change…. and it won't work!)
Your System Restore will open, so just choose a date you are certain was before the problem started, and follow onscreen directions…..the whole process can take a while so be patient whilst it runs.
Let us know how it goes.
Regards
paws

Hey Mr Paws, I have it running now so I'm hoping that it will work out for me. Thanks so much for your help either way, it's very kind of you. F

Let us know how it goes Regards paws

Hey Mr. Paws, Well that didn't work so well! The pop up error report reappears and doesn't allow the running of that aforementioned command. The only thing I seem to be able to do is enter F5 on startup but from this menu I'm not sure what to do?? Any bright ideas?? Thanking you

Hi, OK,
There is a further step I would like you to try:
Put your machine into Safe mode, here's how:

1.Restart your computer and press [F8] or maybe F5 works for you, during the initial startup.
2.When you see the Windows Advanced Options Menu, (a black menu) select Safe Mode with Command Prompt
3.Select the Windows XP operating system.
4.Log on to your computer with an administrator account or with an account that has administrator priviliges.
5.Type the following command at a command prompt:
C:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe
6. Press the "Enter" key
When you see the System Restore window, the graphics may look odd, very large and "clumsy" but you will be able to follow the onscreen instructions to restore your computer to an earlier state, ie before the problem occurred.

If you find that this procedure will not operate so you can't use the System Restore Point then it is looking as if a malware infection might be a possible cause of the problem.

I suggest you go here:
http://forums.whatthetech.com/Welcome_New_…rs_t106388.html
Read all the instructions on where to post (but I do appreciate you will not be able to run the scans as suggested)…… Instead just state the problem you are having and please make your topic "referred by paws" if you know you have previously installed the "Recovery Console" then please let them know.
and please provide a link to this topic so they can see what is going on.

The malware fighters will probably suggest some methods of getting your machine to boot………if you can get into safe mode then that will help…….if not then see if you can gain access to ( borrow) a USB external CD Rom Drive and a Microsoft XP installation disc .

Once the malware fighters have had a chance to check your machine,and declared it clear of malware, please post back here in this thread if you are still having any problems and we will continue with assistance.
Regards
paws

PROBLEM SOLVED Ok so the above issue has been resolved. I hooked my hard drive up to another drive and transferred my data.Then I reinstalled XP onto my netbook. Then I zipped my data and sent it back onto my netbook. I was able to save all my data and get XP back…whoo hoo! Although I did not solve the malware issue I simple worked around it. Now for my lesson learned…I have now partitioned my hard drive into XP files ONLY in the D drive and all my other 'stuff' is now in the C drive. I have a backup of all data in my C drive so if I get sabotaged again I will survive by a simple reinstalation of XP. Oh the repair option on the XP disc didn't work, that was my initial plan. Also I have AVG scan my whole computer each day so I hope this will keep me safe. Now the side issues are as follows: 1. I have a copy of windows XP so I cannot update ( sad since I did have the orignal windows before I was maliciously attacked by stoopid malware) 2. All the keyboard functions that were the default settings on my e pc have gone. I think I need to go onto asus support and ask for them back, maybe they will allow me acces to the programmes if I ask nicely otherewise I'll have to live with it. I want to say a huge THANK YOU to you guys for the recommendations you gave me. I hope this response will help others who unfortunitely come across the same problem as me. Fiona

Hi, Glad you got it fixed..Yes a reinstall is often quickest in the long run. One thing worries me you seem to be saying that you cant update your Windows…… This is bad news…..it makes your machine a sitting target for malware to attack, and also makes your machine a menace to the rest of us…..! If your machine is not able to be updated then its vulnerable to the bad guys……as soon as your machine is compromised by a malicious application it's likely to come under the control of the bad guys….Yes they will be able to use your machine just as easily as you can……. your machine could easily become a Zombie (a member of a botnet) controlled remotely ( by the bad guys) and used to propagate other malicious stuff, worms viruses Trojan Horses etc and used to send out spam to all us other folks….. So please get on to Asus and or Microsoft tell them what has happened and ask them to regularise the position for you. As long as you have an ordinary version of Windows XP and you use the same 25 digit key ( that is generally stuck on the bottom of the machine) you should be OK…. But if you find you can't update Windows then please contact Microsoft ……..I should hate you to be vulnerable yourself………and a potential menace……….and possibly ilegal too! Regards paws