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MAJOR Computer Problems...Help?

Andrew D. Gable

First Post
If indeed it can be helped. When running a virus scan, it came up that one of my files in the Temporary Internet Files folder was infected with a virus (I forget which). I deleted that file, which according to that was the only infected file on my system. Ever since, I'm getting constant messages about the Sasser worm, as I recounted on another thread. Despite having run virus scans several more times. What's Sasser do, anyhow? Now my whole system has gone to merry hell, I think.

Oftentimes, before a problem happens, my monitor flashes and crackles, almost as if there's a power outage for a brief second. But AFAIK, there shouldn't be. A few moments ago, the computer deleted a Word file I was working on, for no readily apparent reason. After it refused to open, but sent me in a looping series of error messages, the icon for the file vanished off my desktop.

Then I got a message saying that an error was caused in KERNEL32.DLL (I *always* get Kernel error messages), by file TAPISRV.xxx (can't recall the extension). Explorer crashed, and as a result I was forced once again to do a system restore (about the only way I can do anything on this computer anymore). And for some reason, a restore which normally took 3 minutes tops took upwards of 25.

And all this is just within the past hour.

All seems to date back to when I installed my digital camera over a year ago. I shut down the computer that night when I went to bed, and the next morning had the first problem I remember. It's been about everyday since then. It seems like anything which alters the .INI files, in particular, plays merry hell with the computer. I'm bombarded with spam mail here lately, which I think might have something to do with it - whether as the source or another symptom, I don't know.

What's going on here? Some serious virus mojo?
 

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When you say "messages" do you mean messages from your anti-virus program? Sasser does not effect Windows ME, as it spreads due to a flaw in 2000/XP systems. More info on Sasser and the flaw it exploits:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sasser.b.worm.html
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS04-011.mspx

Your tapisrv message could be related to the .ini files you described. More info here:

http://www.liutilities.com/products/wintaskspro/processlibrary/tapisrv/
http://www.techadvice.com/w98/E/errors_tapisrv.htm

If you are removing viruses, remember to turn off system restore before you do so:

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPOR...sf&view=docid&dtype=&prod=&ver=&osv=&osv_lvl=

The spam problem is probably unrelated, but could be because a virus has been used to grab your email address. Running a virus scan and running Windows Update is a good first step.
 



Tapisrv is part of the telephony API used for dial-up networking.

See if it happens to be running at startup. If you are on a dial up account, tapisrv should not try to run on bootup unless you have something calling to it. This could be causing your crash.

If you go to Start>>Run>>type "msconfig" (without the quotes) then click the STARTUP TAB, what's here? Anything you don't recognize or that looks suspicious?

First thing though, I would take Wycen's advice and uninstall the camera software. If you problems started around that time, then that could very well be it.
 

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