Malware prevents Windows 98 Control Panel Icons from opening programs

The system boots and every else works fine, including all other programs.  Will using file checker and repairing those files require reloading any software currently installed?

Try fixng your registry with this patch:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/iegentabs.reg

And also take a look at Lee Tutor's accepted answer in here:
https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20943392/Program-icons-won't-open.html

Zee

If this does not solve the problem simply reinstall Win 98 over the top of itself this will repair all the system files and replace anything thats missing.



Pete

try looking here http://www.paulscomputerservice.net/index.php?body=software/solveaproblem.php

I ran File Checker and replaced several corupted files.  Still have the same problem.  Main software will open from the desktop but those that are in the control panel will not open.  Tried the network icon on desktop and it temporarily opens, then closes.  Same with internet options from the control panel.  However, internet options will open from Internet Explorer.
Also tried the registry patchs mentioned above. One loaded, the other would not load.

For your Control Panel problems, see if this page at my website is of any help:

http://home.earthlink.net/~leetutor/FixWin/ContPanl/control.htm

Just discovered another symtom.  Shut down and restart do not respond.

I think you need to seriously think about installing 98 over the top of itself :)

Or even better, if you can backup all important data, go for a clean install with a format C:, before running setup?

I was going to overwrite, but with both the original Windows 98 and SE version, the setup is disabled in one case because I have a newer version installed and in the other because I have an older version.  I'll have to uninstall and reinstall Windows 98 to do the trick.  I was hoping for a less drastic fix.

All programs are operating normally except for those on the control panel, Norton Antivirus and shut down/restart.

Just looked in my start menu and discovered a virus program called Wet_me!.exe.  I removed it with no change.  There isn't much on the web about this virus except that it is a hijack program.  Anyone know anything about or how to undo the damage.

Last shot, try this registry fix:

http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/RepairTabs.reg
1) Restores the missing Tabs in IE (usually spyware related)
2) Unlocks the grayed-out Home Page section
3) Removes the Administrator message in Internet Options

Zee

And run this one...

Cool Web Shredder:
http://www.zerosrealm.com/downloads/CWShredder.zip
http://radiosplace.com/
http://computercops.biz/downloads-cat-14.html

Zee

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  I can't believe all of the fast responses I had this afternoon.  I've tried all of the programs suggested and so far nothing has worked.  If anyone else has any thoughts, I'm open to trying anything at this point.  

The computer is doing everything I need it to do at this point, but I'll not be able to change any settings, remove any programs or add hardware until this is solved.

Did you try all the debugging steps listed at my website?  What were the results?

A selected quote from:

Control Panel Does Not Open
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;221153 

The .cpl files for Windows 98 are located in the C:\Windows\System folder.

1. Create a new folder on your desktop called "temp" (without quotation marks). To do this, right click and empty area on your desktop, point to New, click Folder, and then type temp.

2. Move all of the .cpl files out of the System32 folder and into the Temp folder that you created.

3. Verify that Control Panel opens. Note that Control Panel does not contain icons after you move all of the .cpl files out of the System32 folder.

4. Move the .cpl files back into the System32 folder, one at a time, and then open Control Panel after you move each file to verify that Control Panel opens.

5. If you move a .cpl file back into the System32 folder, and Control Panel does not open, delete the file, or replace the file with a known, good .cpl file.

Additional Information

In Windows 98, all of the base Control Panel .cpl files are on your Windows 98 CD-ROM and are located in the compressed Win98_28.cab file.
 
NOTE: You can also double-click each .cpl file to determine if it runs. When you double-click a .cpl file, the associated Control Panel tool runs.

Did you try this?

Zee

blue zee - I did go though many of the troubleshooting steps on your site and found that neither the command nor double clicking on the .cpl files would open them.  Also moved one from the 98 CD, again it wouldn't open.

In searching though some of the sites mentioned in this thread, I came accross a mention of someone getting a virus through the Microsoft Updater.  I had updated windows just before all of this started and had been ask to download a new copy of the Updater before getting the updates.  I didn't relate this to my problems because I knew I had gotten at least two trojan viruses and this file came from Microsoft.

I opened in the Safe Mode and was able to open Add/Remove Programs, so I uninstalled the Updater, then did a Scan and Defragment.  When I restarted the computer, everything is back to normal.

I don't think I actually downloaded the Microsoft Updater with a virus, but apparently one of the viruses infected that file and it was the instrument used to control the computer since it was in the start menu and opened every time I booted.  A smart way to do it since a Microsoft file that you knew came from Microsoft would be the last place to look.

Thanks to everyone here for the help.  I've learned more than I ever wanted to know about viruses and the inner workings of windows.  This is a valuable resourse that I will recommend to others.  Thanks again for taking the time to help someone who got into deep trouble for lack of keeping informed about the dangers of the internet.

This was an interesting information flow, and I'm still baffled that you could have gotten this from Microsoft; but rather a masked item much like those noted here (NOT FOR POINTS, of course):
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=microsoft+updater+startup+malware

Hopefully you've guarded yourself against new invasions (software, free or fee)  and modified your Browser settings to guard against unwanted downloads/installs and use firewall, etc.  

Glad you made it.

Zee

I don't think the virus was actually in the Microsoft file I dowmloaded, but rather that the malware used that file to do it's work even after I had deleted the virus.  I ddn't make any manual changes to the registry entries.  One of the patches mentioned earlier may have taken care of that for me.  The only action was to uninstall the Microsoft Updater program and reboot.  After that, everything was back to normal, except thanks to you folks, I now have the tools and knowledge to deal with this should it happen again.

ThanQ