HP Compaq 8710w - RunDLL error at Startup.

[OverDose]

I've just re-installed the OS on my old Compaq 8710w laptop, running Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. I know it's old, and the screen is dead, but I have it connected to my TV via HDMI and I plan on using it until the wheels fall off. So no laughing or snide comments about that, as it is NOT my primary machine.

The last driver I installed was the HP ProtectTools Security Manager Suite, which cleared the last missing drivers from the Device Manager. However after reboot, and log-on, when I get to the desktop, I have a RunDLL error message that reads: "There was a problem starting C:\Program. The specified module could not be found."

I've done a clean boot and I've isolated it to be a Startup process that is pointing at: "C:\Porgam Files (x86)\HEWLET~1\IAM\Bin\ASTSVCC.dll,RegisterModule" and the ASTSVCC.DLL file IS on the system (because I searched for it and found it) and so is the associated registry entry: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run".

I've re-installed the HP ProtectTools Security Suite, which I thought would help fix any errors or corrupt files, but that has not helped.

So I have resorted to disabling the specific Startup process in the meantime, and the error doesn't show up when in that state. However I am unsure if I am missing out on any features or functionality by doing this.

How do I resolve the above, without compromising the system, as it will most likely be a laptop I use extensively online (via my TV).

Again, I know it is an old laptop, but for what I am needing to do, it is perfect, so I would appreciate that we do not tangent and focus on the age of the machine.

Thanks.

 

[samuria]

Open a CMD prompt type
Set
That gives a path list which tells windows were to look for file copy the DLL to one of the folders then. Run the CMD from startup but don't use the path it should then find it in the path. That CMD should be in run once key

 

[OverDose]

Open a CMD prompt type
Set
That gives a path list which tells windows were to look for file copy the DLL to one of the folders then. Run the CMD from startup but don't use the path it should then find it in the path. That CMD should be in run once key

samuria - Thanks for the response, however I am failing to understand the part after moving the DLL file to one of the folders Windows uses to look for files.

How do I run CMD from Startup? And also how to execute the instructions after running CMD from Startup? I'm not wanting to not ask a question, and I end up making a mistake.