Coming into this late...but I remember this happening to a friend a year or so ago. Turns out he installed Process Explorer then deleted it... This post details the same circumstances (not my exprience, but my google fu found it now and back then). http://forums.whatthetech.com/Cannot_run_Taskmgr_exe_Window_XP_t90973.html&gopid=456620#entry456620
On Wed, Sep 9, 2009 at 11:47 AM, <richardmccl...@aspca.org> wrote: > > I can give you a quick summary (I've already told Help Desk to wipe it, > fearing a bot): > > TaskMgr.exe will not run from the task bar menu or from the "Ctrl-Alt-Del > button bar". Nothing happens. > > Opening a command console and entering "c:\windows\system32\taskmgr.exe" > returns a "file or path not found". > > Opening a command console and entering "c:\windows\system32\tasklist.exe" > (or even skipping the path) DOES return a list of running tasks and > properties. > > Browsing with Explorer to .\system32 shows the TaskMgr.exe icon. In its > properties sheets, all is identical with the same file on functional > systems. Copying said file to the affected machine fixes nothing - all the > above actions return the "file or path not found" message. > > Double-clicking the TaskMgr.exe icon returns a pop-up saying file or path > not found. > > The known registry changes for other systems (world-wide) reporting the > loss of TaskMgr are not found. These reports also mention other functions > lost, such as WindowsUpdate, not being able to lock the screen, no toolbars > for IE, etc. On this system though, all these functions appear to work. > > Deep scan with VIPRE and full scan with MalwareBytes (both in regular mode > and with the machine booted into SafeMode) find nothing. > > CHKDSK /f and reboot fixes nothing. > -- > Richard D. McClary > Systems Administrator, Information Technology Group > > *ASPCA®* > 1717 S. Philo Rd, Ste 36 > Urbana, IL 61802 > > richardmccl...@aspca.org > > P: 217-337-9761 > C: 217-417-1182 > F: 217-337-9761 > *www.aspca.org* <http://www.aspca.org/> > > > The information contained in this e-mail, and any attachments hereto, is > from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA > ®) and is intended only for use by the addressee(s) named herein and may > contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not > the intended recipient of this e-mail, you are hereby notified that any > dissemination, distribution, copying or use of the contents of this e-mail, > and any attachments hereto, is strictly prohibited. If you have received > this e-mail in error, please immediately notify me by reply email and > permanently delete the original and any copy of this e-mail and any printout > thereof. > > > David Lum <david....@nwea.org> wrote on 09/09/2009 10:20:27 AM: > > > > Quicker yes, but I'm super curious about this one and have been > > following this thread closely, I was hoping to find out what it was > > even though I have no systems with this issue. > > > > Dave > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Ben Scott [mailto:mailvor...@gmail.com] > > Sent: Wednesday, September 09, 2009 7:55 AM > > To: NT System Admin Issues > > Subject: Re: Can't run TaskManager > > > > On Wed, Sep 9, 2009 at 10:36 AM, <richardmccl...@aspca.org> wrote: > > > Anyway, like Ben and another or two have said, it's time to wipe this > one. > > > Don't know when a very-well-hidden bot is going to show up (but not > show up > > > in TaskMgr because that's been whacked). > > > > It might not even be malware, but some accidentally screwed up > > registry setting or class registration or system library or whatever. > > Finding it will take forever, assuming it's even possible. Quicker to > > wipe and reload. > > > > -- Ben > > > > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ > > ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ > > > > > > > > > > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ > > ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~ > > > > > > > > ~ Finally, powerful endpoint security that ISN'T a resource hog! ~ ~ <http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Business/VIPRE-Enterprise/> ~
