Question

wsock32.dll is not a valid windows image error msg. Possible virus?

Asked by: troehm

Hi,

I usually load a program called SafeBoot on to our company laptops and loaded it on a Panasonic Toughbook laptop. I've done many before but while it was in my posession the laptop became very erroraneous. On startup I get an error msg from UpdaterUI.exe (mcafee) saying "The application or DLL c:\windows\system32\wsock32.dll is not a valid windows image. Please check this against your installation diskette." I also get one from Intel PROSet/Wireless saying "Error loading plug-ins. Application will exit". I can't install or uninstall any programs without receiving an error msg about wsock32.dll. It looks like something may have targeted mcafee or something may be on the system. I can't imagine this happening from SafeBoot because I have installed this many times on many laptops including this model without any problems. Has anyone ever seen this before? Thanks in advance.

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    Answers

     

    by: b0xaPosted on 2008-03-31 at 18:14:28ID: 21250532

    Sounds like corrupted Winsock. I would try running WinSockFix & Dial-A-Fix. Also run a system file check by doing:
    Start > Run > sfc /scannow

     

    by: briancassinPosted on 2008-04-06 at 22:25:01ID: 21294499

    Do not run a fix on the winsock until you make sure you have removed the system of any offending virus or spyware.

    Download  combofix.exe and save it to your desktop
    Close any open browsers.
    Before starting ComboFix disable and exit any anti-virus software, anti-spyware or any other security related software as they may interfere with ComboFix's operation.
    Double click combofix.exe & follow the prompts.
    When finished, it shall produce a log for you and display it on your desktop called c:\combofix.txt. By default this log is located on your 'C' drive. Post that log in your next reply along with a fresh HJT log as well
    Note:Do not mouseclick combofix's window whilst it's running. That may cause it to stall.
    Combofix http://download.bleepingcomputer.com/sUBs/ComboFix.exe


    Download and run hijack this after you have run combofix post both of there logfiles.
    http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis

    After posting the logfile continue with downloading and installing the next application.


    and run this
    http://www.superantispyware.com

    If everything comes up clean then you can get the winsock fix here

    The winsock fix you'll need is here
    http://cexx.org/lspfix.htm

     

    by: troehmPosted on 2008-05-07 at 18:29:35ID: 31444675

    Thanks, the system file check fixed the problem.

    20120131-EE-VQP-002

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