Unable to access Task manager

Question

I cannot access task manager from the task bar. (the option is there but nothing happens when i click on it.) Ctl+Alt+Del does not work.  Ctl+shift+esc does not work.  start/run 'taskmgr' or 'taskmgr.exe' return the message 'windows cannot find the file taskmgr.'   start//search 'task manager' turns up 8 files. 5 in C:\ I386 and 2 are in service packs.   I have run aol security center (Mcaffey) and ad-aware se.  I am currently running AVG Anti-spyware.   Ad-aware said i have 40 processes running. It found and eliminated 200 items.(no viruses or trojans or worms)..... still no task manager   Dell Dimension 4500 Windows xp service pack 2 Message Edited by skogiefrodo on 08-10-2007 05:43 PM

Rebel9 · Answer

Have a look here.

skogiefrodo · Answer

Thanks for the response.   This sounds similar to my problem but it doesnt tell me which of the items that were found on the search (i had 8 incidences found) are the 'real Taskmgr.exe' file, and it doesnt tell me how to go about 'copying them to the directory'.   I will run another search and paste the results in this post when it is done.   But i still need to know how to 'copy them to the directory' please.   Thank you soo much for the help.  :smileyhappy:

RoHe · Answer

Run a windows system file check:
click start>run
type in: sfc /scannow
(space between sfc and /)
click ok
Insert XP CD if sfc requests it and reboot when it's done.

Be sure to run full scans for malware too. Read this for help about which copies of taskmgr.exe may be legit and which not:
http://www.file.net/process/taskmgr.exe.html

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 08-10-2007 06:35 PM

RoHe · Answer

On my system with XPpro SP2, taskmgr is not a compressed file in c:\i386, so the correct commands would be:
start>run
copy C:\i386\taskmgr.exe C:\windows\system32
click ok
Make sure you put one space between .exe and C: You don't have the space in command you posted, so I don't know if that's just a typo or you intentionally left it out.

But if you're finding malware, taskmgr is the least of your worries right now. You may want to read all the FAQs at top of HijackThis forum, then download/run free HijackThis and post entire log over there for expert help removing malware. Here's link to HijackThis forum:

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board?board.id=si_hijack

Ron

Message Edited by RoHe on 08-12-2007 10:49 AM

skogiefrodo · Answer

I ran the system tool you mentioned, nothing happened. 'sfc \scannow' It never asked for the xp cd, it just disappeared when it was done.   I manually checked my i386 file and located the taskmgr.exe, created a shortcut for the desktop and can run task manager from there.   I would like to restore task manager to its normal location though which would enable me to access it from the task bar and with ctr+alt+del.   can someone direct me to the right instructions?     I tried doing start/run 'expand C:\i386	askmgr.ex_C:\%systemroot%\system32	askmgr.exe' but it did not help.   thanks   PS I am currently running avira antivirus and it has been 14 hours and still going.  2 items found so far.

skogiefrodo · Answer

Just tried using the 'copy' command you said 'copy C:\i386	askmgr.exe C:\windows\system32' (I copied and pasted the exact wording that i put into the run command) My machine responded with an error message: 'windows cannot find 'copy'. Please make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search...... '     I also posted my Hijackthis log on the Hijackthis forum the same day I posted the original message on this forum.   Haven't had any response to it yet.

RoHe · Answer

Sorry, my bad...copy doesn't work from start>run

Open a cmd prompt window ("DOS" window):
start>run
type in: cmd.exe
click ok

Now run the copy command from there. Type exit and press Enter after the copy is confirmed.

Ron

Windows General

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