Windows 7: HID.DLL, Windows Update & Flash Drive Problems

Sorry if I've posted this in the wrong place, but I wasn't sure where to start.

My pc went a bit nuts yesterday and is doing some odd things. My desktop colours changed by themselves yeterday afternoon while I was working. Nothing else happened so I just closed all my progs and restarted the system.

On booting I get an error message;
Windows Logon: Logon UI.exe-Bad Image
C:\Windows\system32\HID.DLL is either not designed to run on Windows or contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support.

This flashes up a couple of times, but once I've clicked it I can log in to Windows. However, Windows Update fails with the error code 80072EFE, Microsoft Security Essentials fails and can't update, the snipping tool won't work, and I've noticed than if I insert a flash drive into my usb port it recognises the drive and also displays the drive size & amounts free/used when I open the drive it doesn't show any of the contents.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Steve.

Hi TheShad,

Please have a look here and let me know if the solution helps you at all: hid.dll error message on reboot

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team

Hi,
thanks for that, but I've already tried it. Nothing showed up. To be honest I've tried a load of things to try and find the problem but without any luck.
I did notice that I got the same error box pop up but with 'Intelitype.exe' at the top. I've tried to remove the software (I'm using a Microsoft Mutlimedia keyboard) but it wouldn't let me. I also tried re-installing over the top of the existing software/driver using the latest version downloaded from the Microsoft website, but the same thing occurs, it gets nearly all the way through the installation then it stops and the error box pops up.
Is there any way to replace or over-write the HID.dll?

Does nayone have any other suggestions? (nothing against WalkerA, I'm just trying to cast a wider net to solve this problem quickly). I don't want to access my email, ebay, facebook, etc until I know my system is up to date and safe.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I took a look at the hotfix link, but they all seemed to be Vista ones, nothing listed for Windows 7, also, it says that if the problem isn't specific to that hotfix then it could cause problems. To be honest, I'm not really sure what the problem is other than the HID.dll that keeps coming up. Do you think it's worth trying the hotfix or could it cause more problems? and will a Vista x86 one work with Windows 7?.
Thanks again for any help.

Can anyone help with this? I'm getting really frustrated now and can't seem to find a solution.

Any suggestions greatly received.

Got to admit, I'm quite disappointed with the lack of replies to this. Thanks to WalkerA for his suggestions, unfortunately it didn't work. In the end I had to do a full format and re-install. I've used this site a few times before becomming a member and always thought it was brilliant, maybe I'll have better luck next time.

Im sorry that you were disappointed with the lack of replies, but please keep in mind that no one user here has the answer for every problem ( though we do try ).. Now that you have re-installed your OS would be the time to get in the habit of imaging your system disc as a part of your backup policy... It's a LOT easier to restore an image, than it is to reinstall the entire OS..

Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Hi again TheShad,

My apologies for the delayed response. I'm glad you got it fixed though, I second Tews' recommendation of imaging your installation for a quicker restore in the future should you need it.

Cheers,

Walker
Windows Outreach Team