Problem installing Stardock Central - possible malware issue

Makris · Mar 18, 2006

Hi all,

I'm trying to install Stardock Central but I'm getting the error "explorer.exe is not a Win32 file" near the end of the installation. Stardock are telling me it is probably being caused by some malware on my system ("nuffin' to do wiff us guv' ").

When I type in explorer.exe in Start->Run... I get the same error if I don't type in the path, but when I type in the correct path "C:/Windows/explorer.exe" it runs fine.

My computer is otherwise running fine, and I regularly install a few programs a week without any problems. I also installed an older version of Stardock Central 18 months ago with no problem.

I've run a number of anti-virus and adware apps (including Norton and Anti-Spyware ... I have these active on my machine at all times) to clean things up (before I ran HijackThis), but didn't find anything of particular interest.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Peddant · Mar 18, 2006

This issue can be caused by any of the below possibilities.

1.File is corrupt, bad, or missing.
2.File is not designed for your version of Windows.
3.File is a virus, worm, or other malware file.
4.Hardware incompatibility.

- http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000726.htm

Try installing into a different directory is my suggestion

RealBlackStuff · Mar 19, 2006

in HJT put a tickmark in front of ALL your O15 and O16 entries, then click 'fix checked'.

Makris · Mar 19, 2006

Peddant said:
This issue can be caused by any of the below possibilities.

1.File is corrupt, bad, or missing.
2.File is not designed for your version of Windows.
3.File is a virus, worm, or other malware file.
4.Hardware incompatibility.

- http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000726.htm

Try installing into a different directory is my suggestion

Thanks for the reply. I checked out the link, but none of the 4 points above apply. I tried installing to both a different directory and a different drive, but with the same error.

Any other suggestions?

Makris · Mar 19, 2006

RealBlackStuff said:
in HJT put a tickmark in front of ALL your O15 and O16 entries, then click 'fix checked'.

Before I do this, can I just check with you what effect this will have. Thanks.

Makris · Mar 19, 2006

I fixed the O15 & O16s, but it hasn't helped. Any other ideas? Thanks

Makris · Mar 22, 2006

Well, I sorted this. See my "How many copies of explorer.exe should I have?" thread.

In case the suspense is killing you - the answer is ...

spoiler .....

...

...

...

ONE!

Thanks to all for their comments.

Problem installing Stardock Central - possible malware issue

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