x86 Programs Not Working

[moarxx]

I recently replaced my failing hard drive (~2 weeks ago) with a new one using a fresh install of Windows and everything had been fine until a few days ago.

I was trying to install Java but for whatever reason the online installers weren't working so I decided to try the offline installer. It seemed to work but I noticed my Firefox wouldn't launch after installing it so I rebooted the PC. Upon rebooting I noticed that any 32-bit program that didn't run at startup wasn't working. I did a bit of research and decided to run sfc /scannow several times (which didn't seem to do anything) followed by chkdsk which ended up fixing the problem.

Everything had been fine until today (reinstalled Java using the online installer which for whatever reason decided to work now) when I updated Firefox to 4.0.1. After updating Firefox, the issue seems to have come back randomly. At this point I'm fairly sure it doesn't have to do with Java, just installing/updating 32-bit programs. What confuses me is that I've installed several other 32-bit programs since fixing the issue the first time and its been fine. Another thing I've noticed is that UAC seems to be acting a bit off, asking me for permission every time I launch certain 64-bit programs (Ventrilo for example) as opposed to remembering it.

I checked Event Viewer and the only warnings/errors that seem to come up are the following:

Log Name: System
Source: Service Control Manager
Date: 4/29/2011 4:12:16 PM
Event ID: 7000
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Helios
Description:
The AODDriver4.0 service failed to start due to the following error:
The system cannot find the path specified.

and

Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-Wininit
Date: 4/29/2011 4:12:17 PM
Event ID: 11
Task Category: None
Level: Warning
Keywords:
User: SYSTEM
Computer: Helios
Description:
Custom dynamic link libraries are being loaded for every application. The system administrator should review the list of libraries to ensure they are related to trusted applications.

----------------------

I looked these up and they seem to be related to the newest version of the Catalyst Drivers for my video card though they don't seem to be the culprit.

----------------------

At this point I'm probably going to run another CHKDSK later tonight (if I don't get a reply soon) to fix it but It'd be nice if I could find out what exactly is causing this issue.

edit: Forgot to add, I haven't installed the drivers for my motherboard since the sound card drivers they include gave me issues in the past, I'm not sure if that could somehow be causing the issue (but I'm not seeing anything related to them in Event Viewer).

 

[Mike Connor]

First, you need to make sure Malware is not affecting your system. Download this,

Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.50.1 - FileHippo.com

install it, update the database and run a FULL scan.

If it finds anything, post the log here.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[moarxx]

First, you need to make sure Malware is not affecting your system. Download this,

Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.50.1 - FileHippo.com

install it, update the database and run a FULL scan.

If it finds anything, post the log here.

Regards....Mike Connor

I already have Malwarebytes but can't run it because its a 32-bit program.

I'm fairly sure the issue isn't related to malware, I'm very careful when it comes to that kind of thing (running the free version of Avast! along with Comodo Firewall, also use the MVPS hosts file and Noscript+Adblock in Firefox). Avast! seems to be working despite being a 32-bit program (as its running at Startup) so I could try running a scan with that if you'd like.

 

[Mike Connor]

First, you need to make sure Malware is not affecting your system. Download this,

Download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.50.1 - FileHippo.com

install it, update the database and run a FULL scan.

If it finds anything, post the log here.

Regards....Mike Connor

I already have Malwarebytes but can't run it because its a 32-bit program.

I'm fairly sure the issue isn't related to malware, I'm very careful when it comes to that kind of thing (running the free version of Avast! along with Comodo Firewall, also use the MVPS hosts file and Noscript+Adblock in Firefox). Avast! seems to be working despite being a 32-bit program (as its running at Startup) so I could try running a scan with that if you'd like.

Use this instead;

Microsoft Safety Scanner - Remove Spyware, Malware, Viruses Free

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[moarxx]

Just ran a Quick Scan in Avast! which didn't come up with anything, currently running a full scan with Microsoft Safety Scanner.

 

[Mike Connor]

Just ran a Quick Scan in Avast! which didn't come up with anything, currently running a full scan with Microsoft Safety Scanner.

OK. I prefer Malwarebytes or Superantispyware.

The problem here is that you wrote that Chkdsk somehow fixed the problem, but Chkdsk only checks the drive, it has no effect on software. Certainly not selectively on 32 BIT programs.

The only thing I know that does that is various malware.

I have heard that ATI Catalyst updates can cause this problem, but have not experienced this myself.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[moarxx]

Just ran a Quick Scan in Avast! which didn't come up with anything, currently running a full scan with Microsoft Safety Scanner.

OK. I prefer Malwarebytes or Superantispyware.

The problem here is that you wrote that Chkdsk somehow fixed the problem, but Chkdsk only checks the drive, it has no effect on software. Certainly not selectively on 32 BIT programs.

The only thing I know that does that is various malware.

Regards....Mike Connor

I ran a CHKDSK /f /r, I'm guessing the problem is being caused by some sort of file system error as that's all that that CHKDSK could've fixed. Based on the other threads it seems to either be something wrong with Windows itself or certain drivers, I may just be best off doing another fresh install.

edit: Probably should've mentioned this in the original post but when I run the 32-bit programs they show up in Task Manager but stay at 116k Memory usage and don't seem to do anything.

 

[Mike Connor]

Just ran a Quick Scan in Avast! which didn't come up with anything, currently running a full scan with Microsoft Safety Scanner.

OK. I prefer Malwarebytes or Superantispyware.

The problem here is that you wrote that Chkdsk somehow fixed the problem, but Chkdsk only checks the drive, it has no effect on software. Certainly not selectively on 32 BIT programs.

The only thing I know that does that is various malware.

Regards....Mike Connor

I ran a CHKDSK /f /r, I'm guessing the problem is being caused by some sort of file system error as that's all that that CHKDSK could've fixed. Based on the other threads it seems to either be something wrong with Windows itself or certain drivers, I may just be best off doing another fresh install.

Indeed, I rather fear you will have to do that. Especially if such a problem is random, then something is seriously amiss.

The scan found nothing?

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[moarxx]

OK. I prefer Malwarebytes or Superantispyware.

The problem here is that you wrote that Chkdsk somehow fixed the problem, but Chkdsk only checks the drive, it has no effect on software. Certainly not selectively on 32 BIT programs.

The only thing I know that does that is various malware.

Regards....Mike Connor

I ran a CHKDSK /f /r, I'm guessing the problem is being caused by some sort of file system error as that's all that that CHKDSK could've fixed. Based on the other threads it seems to either be something wrong with Windows itself or certain drivers, I may just be best off doing another fresh install.

Indeed, I rather fear you will have to do that. Especially if such a problem is random, then something is seriously amiss.

The scan found nothing?

Regards....Mike Connor

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is still in progress but its only ~1/6th of the way done, it has ~125GB to scan in total.

As far as Catalyst drivers go I looked into the 2 errors and it seems as if nearly everyone is getting those 2 errors since the latest version though I haven't seen anyone having any real issues caused by them. I'm still doubting it has anything to do with this considering how the issue seems to have shown up both times after installing/updating 32-bit programs.

edit: Just in case you missed this from my last post, I edited this in:
Probably should've mentioned this in the original post but when I run the 32-bit programs they show up in Task Manager but stay at 116k Memory usage and don't seem to do anything.

 

[Mike Connor]

I ran a CHKDSK /f /r, I'm guessing the problem is being caused by some sort of file system error as that's all that that CHKDSK could've fixed. Based on the other threads it seems to either be something wrong with Windows itself or certain drivers, I may just be best off doing another fresh install.

Indeed, I rather fear you will have to do that. Especially if such a problem is random, then something is seriously amiss.

The scan found nothing?

Regards....Mike Connor

The Microsoft Safety Scanner is still in progress but its only ~1/6th of the way done, it has ~125GB to scan in total.

As far as Catalyst drivers go I looked into the 2 errors and it seems as if nearly everyone is getting those 2 errors since the latest version though I haven't seen anyone having any real issues caused by them. I'm still doubting it has anything to do with this considering how the issue seems to have shown up both times after installing/updating 32-bit programs.

edit: Just in case you missed this from my last post, I edited this in:
Probably should've mentioned this in the original post but when I run the 32-bit programs they show up in Task Manager but stay at 116k Memory usage and don't seem to do anything.

I did miss it, thanks, but I am none the wiser.

Let's wait and see if the scan finds anything.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[moarxx]

Just looked into things a bit more and apparently the Warning in event viewer (Custom dynamic link libraries are being loaded for every application. The system administrator should review the list of libraries to ensure they are related to trusted applications.) is being caused by guard64.dll which is a COMODO file. I still have no clue of what the actual Warning means or if it has anything to do with this.

The scan seems like its going to take at least another 2 hours or so unless it speeds up.

 

[Mike Connor]

Just looked into things a bit more and apparently the Warning in event viewer (Custom dynamic link libraries are being loaded for every application. The system administrator should review the list of libraries to ensure they are related to trusted applications.) is being caused by guard64.dll which is a COMODO file. I still have no clue of what the actual Warning means or if it has anything to do with this.

The scan seems like its going to take at least another 2 hours or so unless it speeds up.

That file is related to a lot of malware and scamware.

Do you have any COMODO software on your machine? If you are not using the COMODO firewall, then that is almost certainly the malware.

Also, using more than one anti-virus program on your machine can have strange effects.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[moarxx]

Just looked into things a bit more and apparently the Warning in event viewer (Custom dynamic link libraries are being loaded for every application. The system administrator should review the list of libraries to ensure they are related to trusted applications.) is being caused by guard64.dll which is a COMODO file. I still have no clue of what the actual Warning means or if it has anything to do with this.

The scan seems like its going to take at least another 2 hours or so unless it speeds up.

That file is related to a lot of malware and scamware.

Do you have any COMODO software on your machine?

Regards....Mike Connor

Yes, I'm using COMODO Firewall with Defense+

 

[Mike Connor]

Just looked into things a bit more and apparently the Warning in event viewer (Custom dynamic link libraries are being loaded for every application. The system administrator should review the list of libraries to ensure they are related to trusted applications.) is being caused by guard64.dll which is a COMODO file. I still have no clue of what the actual Warning means or if it has anything to do with this.

The scan seems like its going to take at least another 2 hours or so unless it speeds up.

That file is related to a lot of malware and scamware.

Do you have any COMODO software on your machine?

Regards....Mike Connor

Yes, I'm using COMODO Firewall with Defense+

You wrote that you were using Avast. You can not use two antivirus programs at the same time. I would suggest you uninstall the COMODO applications, and see if that solves the problem.

I would further advise you to use Microsoft Security Essentials instead of this other stuff.

You can use "on-demand" scanners like malwarebytes etc any time, but you must not use more than one antivirus program.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[moarxx]

Ok, just figured something out. Even though I'm currently using an Administrator account, right clicking Firefox and "Running As Administrator" seems to allow it to start correctly. Same goes for other 32-bit programs. UAC still seems to be asking for permission every time I launch the programs though disabling it still doesn't seem to fix the issue. I still have to "Run As Administrator" to get anything to start correctly.

You wrote that you were using Avast. You can not use two antivirus programs at the same time. I would suggest you uninstall the COMODO applications, and see if that solves the problem.

I would further advise you to use Microsoft Security Essentials instead of this other stuff.

You can use "on-demand" scanners like malwarebytes etc any time, but you must not use more than one antivirus program.

Regards....Mike Connor

Avast is an anti-virus/real time scanner, COMODO is a firewall/HIPS. I'm not using COMODO's anti-virus program so they don't conflict with each other.

 

[Mike Connor]

Ok, just figured something out. Even though I'm currently using an Administrator account, right clicking Firefox and "Running As Administrator" seems to allow it to start correctly. Same goes for other 32-bit programs. UAC still seems to be asking for permission every time I launch the programs though disabling it still doesn't seem to fix the issue. I still have to "Run As Administrator" to get anything to start correctly.

You wrote that you were using Avast. You can not use two antivirus programs at the same time. I would suggest you uninstall the COMODO applications, and see if that solves the problem.

I would further advise you to use Microsoft Security Essentials instead of this other stuff.

You can use "on-demand" scanners like malwarebytes etc any time, but you must not use more than one antivirus program.

Regards....Mike Connor

Avast is an anti-virus/real time scanner, COMODO is a firewall/HIPS. I'm not using COMODO's anti-virus program so they don't conflict with each other.

Whatever. Let's see if the scan comes up with anything.

However that turns out, I would uninstall the Comodo stuff and see if that solves the problem.

You have either firewall or permissions errors, or both.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[Mike Connor]

Also, you need to read this;

http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/26477-dark-side-comodo-4.html#post1373777

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[moarxx]

Also, you need to read this;

http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/26477-dark-side-comodo-4.html#post1373777

Regards....Mike Connor

Yeah, I've heard some bad things about COMODO over the years but never had any real issues so I just continued to use their software. I was just trying to uninstall COMODO (to see if its the culprit) but its stuck at "Gathering required information" and doesn't seem to want to move on. I have no clue of if its what's causing my issues but at this point I'm just going to do a fresh install of Windows. I'll probably continue to use Avast along with Windows firewall unless there's something else out there that's recommended.

 

[Mike Connor]

Also, you need to read this;

http://www.sevenforums.com/system-security/26477-dark-side-comodo-4.html#post1373777

Regards....Mike Connor

Yeah, I've heard some bad things about COMODO over the years but never had any real issues so I just continued to use their software. I was just trying to uninstall COMODO (to see if its the culprit) but its stuck at "Gathering required information" and doesn't seem to want to move on. I have no clue of if its what's causing my issues but at this point I'm just going to do a fresh install of Windows. I'll probably continue to use Avast along with Windows firewall unless there's something else out there that's recommended.

I use Microsoft Security Essentials, never had a problem. ( I don't use a firewall, because I am behind a router ).

A few people I know like this;

Avira anti-virus for home and for business

and I have had it running on another machine for a year now, no problems. Never had a virus or any other malware.

It is worthwhile downloading their bootable rescue disk anyway;

Avira AntiVir Rescue System - Download

in case you get stuck with malware that wont let you boot.

Regards....Mike Connor

 

[moarxx]

I don't get it, I shut down my computer and went AFK for ~30 minutes, turn it back on, and everything seems to be fine. Still planning on doing a fresh install as I imagine it wont stay this way for very long.