i use win XP, i came to the computer and found an error saying: services.exe - Entry Point Not Found with a message reading "The procedure entry point strcat_s could not be located in the dynamic link library msvcrt.dll"
basically i click on ok and it gives me the same error again and again, but sometimes with different titles but the same message. Isass.exe, userinit.exe, explorer.exe, etc.
i get only my wallpaper, but no icons taskbar or anything. I did some googling and found some stuff that did not work. tried to expand msvcrt.dll from the CD using recovery and tried sfc /scannow but both with no result.
I can't even boot up in safe mode, same thing and errors show there.
I seriously need help. any ideas or thoughts please
You most likely have malware but as I understand it you can't even gain access to the computer to do anything to it? What exactly happens when you try to boot in safe mode, can you at least get to the choose boot up type screen. Also, once your desktops loaded (even though you don't have start menu or icons), press Ctrl + Alt + Del, go to the Applications tab, press New Task… and type in explorer.exe and press enter, that should start the program for your desktop.
Also you said you googled, have you tried everything on this page yet?
You most likely have malware but as I understand it you can't even gain access to the computer to do anything to it? What exactly happens when you try to boot in safe mode, can you at least get to the choose boot up type screen. Also, once your desktops loaded (even though you don't have start menu or icons), press Ctrl + Alt + Del, go to the Applications tab, press New Task… and type in explorer.exe and press enter, that should start the program for your desktop.[\quote]Agreed. try all of the safe mode options, even command prompt.
from the recovery console, you can access the list of services that are loaded, and useing a different PC, google them to locate a root kit, then using another command, you can set any service you want to "disabled."
then, If you can get to "safe mode", with the correct commands you can gain control of the system volume folder and perform a manual system restore
but it is all moot if you cannot boot to any of the "safe mode" options and get a command line, or get one in normal boot.
We are getting too close to giving mal-ware advice here.
As Vectris suggested, use control/alt/del and select "new task".
Type in explorer.exe and press enter.
This should bring up your desktop.
It is possible for a bad mal-ware infection to stop your desktop from loading. And the error messege that states xxxx.dll could not be found may indicate a mal-ware infection.
✨ Ask AI
AI can make mistakes. Check the cited posts. Archived advice can be out-of-date
Don't include personal information. Questions and selected public posts go to OpenAI. About Ask AI
