WININET.dll missing Spybot used last night

Question

Used spybot last night - now can't open anything.  Login, desktop blank.,  If I open Task Manager, I can browse to open programs but keep getting error message that it can't start, WININET.DLL is missing.  All docs/files are empty.  Help needed - I don't want to lose everything and don't know where to start.

bamajim · Answer

compnovice53

It's unusual for Spybot S&D to cause any problems. Did you download any programs about the same time you ran Spybot?

Lets try to boot into safe mode

1. Boot (start) computer

2. Before you see the windows logo tap the F8 key

3. And see if you can get to the menu screen which should come up

please reply

bamajim

Training at Malware Removal University

compnovice53 · Answer

Thanks for the response! I have rebooted and have black screen with "Please select the operating system to start: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

use up/down to hightlight choice

press enter to choose.

for troubleshooting and advance startup options for Windows press F8

What next?

bamajim · Answer

compunovice53

When you get to the screen you indicated

Then press the F8 key again

then select safemode If you are able to get to safe mode which will be indicated safemode in all 4 corners

please reply

bamajim

Training at Malware Removal University

compnovice53 · Answer

OK - Windows seems to load, then when I log into my account, I get an error message" Explorer.exe - unable to locate component. This application has failed to start because WININET.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem. Click ok, and desktop is blank. Open Task Manager, go to options, create new task, browse, and the folder in my c: drive, programs, windows, is filled with $MS131Uninstall_KB...files. What next?

bamajim · Answer

compnovice The selection we want is Last Known good configuration It will take a while to run When finished Reboot Let me know bamajim Training at Malware Removal University

compnovice53 · Answer

safe mode appeared in all 4 corners.  Now have additional log-in name 'Administrator'  What next? thanks for your help   please reply compnovice53

compnovice53 · Answer

clicked in as administrator - screen went black, with 'Safe mode' in 4 forners and same 'Explorer.EXE - Unable to Locate Component' error as mentioned above.  please reply. thanks

compnovice53 · Answer

I do have my operating disk that came with the computer, but I really am hoping not to wipe out all my files if I reinstall windows. I've posted on the other site per your suggestion. Thanks for all your help.

bamajim · Answer

compnovice53

Unless you have your operating system disc that came with your pc. I am out of ideas.

Being more fimilar with XP pro, which has a few more restore options than home.

If you have your disc, I will be gald to continue to work with you, if not

You may want to repost your problem here

http://forum.us.dell.com/supportforums/board?board.id=sw_winxp

and let one of the operating system experts assist you. Here we nornally deal with virus problems.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help

bamajim

Training at Malware Removal University

bamajim · Answer

compnovice53 Now click start - programs - accessories - system tools - system restore Then pick a date that is prior to the occurance of the problem bamajim Training at Malware Removal University

compnovice53 · Answer

WinXP forum sent me back here since problem seems to have started with antivirus software. I have open discussion there, but if you have any other ideas - I do have operating disk but am really concerned about wiping out the files on there.

thanks

ky331 · Answer

i am trying to call this thread to the attention of several of the virus/spyware (HiJackThis) experts to see what, if anything, they can suggest...

ky331 · Answer

question:   when you ran spybot, did it find/remove anything??  if so, do you recall what it found??

RKinner · Answer

From your sick computer, boot into Safe Mode and select Command Prompt. It should give you a black CMD screen. Type with an enter after each line:

cd \

dir /a /s wininet.dll

(it will search your whole drive for another copy of wininet.dll). Say it finds

Directory of C:\WINDOWS\$NtUninstallKB905915$

09/02/2005 07:52 PM 658,432 wininet.dll
1 File(s) 658,432 bytes

Directory of C:\WINDOWS\$NtUninstallKB912945$

10/20/2005 11:39 PM 658,432 wininet.dll
1 File(s) 658,432 bytes

Pick the newest version and create a copy command using the directory \wininet.dll. In our example this would be:

copy C:\WINDOWS\$NtUninstallKB912945$\wininet.dll c:\windows\system32

Then reboot (Ctrl + Alt + Del and select Shutdown, Restart)

any better?

If you don't find a single copy anywhere then you can try getting it from a friends computer or if the friend doesn't have XP then:

Have him/her download wininet.dll from:

http://www.dll-files.com/dllindex/dll-files.shtml?wininet

It's a zip file so it will probably need to be saved to the desktop and rightclicked on and Extract All to your desktop. Then copy the wininet.dll file to the floppy at a:\. (Or burn it to a CD)

Then put it on a floppy or cd, boot into Safe Mode and select Command Prompt.

Type:

copy a:\wininet.dll c:\Windows\System32

(reboot by Ctrl + Alt + Del and Shutdown, Restart)

IF you get it to work then post a new HJT log as a reply and also report any desktop problems. Usually the SmitFraud bunch will infect wininet.dll and that may be what happened to you and then Spybot made a mistake in how it removed it. If you have desktop problems or maybe just to be safe run smitrem.

http://noahdfear.geekstogo.com/

Ron

compnovice53 · Answer

Thanks - I found a wininet.dll file in the c:\i386 folder.  copied it into the windows folder.  now when I log in, my old icons show up on the desktop but then - as a group - flash on and off and the curser turns into an hourglass at the bottom (where the start button is) and doesn't do anything if you click on an icon.  Any ideas?

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