Not a valid Win32 application

~Chameleon~

Hi there, I seem to be having a few problems with the computers on my network. Whenever I try to download anything, e.g. a programme or an update, sometimes it doesn't seem to download correctly and all I get is an empty icon (like a DOS icon) in my folder and other times the icon is fine but when I try to open or install the file it refuses saying "this is not a valid Win32 application".

I first noticed the problem on just one of the PC's but quickly realised that each was affected similarly so currently only have one connected to the router at a time until I can find out what the problem is. I did suspect a virus at first but have run in depth scans on each computer and found nothing, apart from a spyware trojan on one of them but that has been dealt with now, yet the problems remain.

Has anyone come across anything like this before or have any ideas what I can do to sort it all out please?

Little_John

the most common reason that you would get this is a failed download, a partially downloaded exe file will not run and that is the standard error for a screwed exe file.

I have seen it often when a webserver if having problems and bumping out downloads before they finish you need to keepp retrying the download.

albertross_2

Which firewall (zonealarm etc..) have you got installed?

~Chameleon~

I've got ZA on the PC's and Ashampoo on the laptop. Also have NOD32 anti-virus installed on all the machines.

albertross_2

ZA Pro has a block mime-type integrated objects setting, which can cause the symptom you describe. (under privacy tab, mobile code)

~Chameleon~

Thanks, just checked that and the mobile code control is set to off.

albertross_2

Try right clicking on ZA, and closing it, to see if it makes any difference. (Your router will protect you from the nasties while you try this).

~Chameleon~

Thanks, but I'm afraid that hasn't made any difference, although I've just found a couple of 'peculiarities' on one of the PC's that I think might be worth mentioning, if only to rule them out as a possible cause.

A file has appeared in the download folder, which I don't recall noticing before, but it appears to be "corrupt" as it's displaying the dos icon rather than the usual windows type icon. The file is called - WindowsXP-KB835732-x86-ENU and is a Self-Extracting Cabinet file from Microsoft.

The other thing I've found, on downloading and running the new AVG Root-Kit tool, is a hidden application - C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe

Could either, or both, of these be causing a problem?


ETA: Is it ok to remove the C:\Windows\system32\userinit.exe file as AVG is warning me that the removal of some files can damage the system!

Jzpop

Do not remove userinit,exe - it is the process that handles your logon to the pc. A quick Google will tell you all you need to know.

The other file is the file that was downloaded from MS Update. A Google for KB835732 will reveal more info.

~Chameleon~

Little_John wrote: »

the most common reason that you would get this is a failed download, a partially downloaded exe file will not run and that is the standard error for a screwed exe file.

I have seen it often when a webserver if having problems and bumping out downloads before they finish you need to keepp retrying the download.

When you mention a problem with a webserver do you mean from where I'm trying to download from?

I'm currently trying to download Adaware Personal SE and have tried it from 3 different sources now, but no luck with any of them, so surely it must be a problem somewhere at my end?