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General discussion

Alert - Cannot create process

Oct 27, 2008 2:35AM PDT

Hello

I am running Windows Vista Home and have recently had a problem with a pop-up on my monitor which has the heading "Alert" and then below states "Cannot create process". It also has an "ok" box to click.

When this happens I have run my Norton antivirus (which is fully up to date) and it identifies a tracking cookie. I "fix" this and Norton states the risk has been resolved, but ten minutes later the pop-up returns. When I run the Norton scan again the tracking cookie is identified again.

I have tried searching to find what threat this annoying pop-up might pose but have not had much luck. I would really just like to get rid of it. I would be really grateful if anyone has any ideas as to how to get rid of this.

Thanks very much
w14kiwi

Discussion is locked

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Give the following a try......
Oct 27, 2008 2:50AM PDT

Please download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware or alternate download link

* Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
* Double-click on Download_mbam-setup.exe to install the application.
* When the installation begins, follow the prompts and do not make any changes to default settings.
* When installation has finished, make sure you leave both of these checked:
* - Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
* - Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
* Then click Finish.
* MBAM will automatically start and you will be asked to update the program before performing a scan. If an update is found, the program will automatically update itself. Press the OK button to close that box and continue.
* If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download them from here and just double-click on mbam-rules.exe to install.

* On the Scanner tab:
* - Make sure the "Perform Quick Acan" option is selected.
* - Then click on the Scan button.
* The next screen will ask you to select the drives to scan. Leave all the drives selected and click on the Start Scan button.
* The scan will begin and "Scan in progress" will show at the top. It may take some time to complete so please be patient.
* When the scan is finished, a message box will say "The scan completed successfully. Click 'Show Results' to display all objects found".
* Click OK to close the message box and continue with the removal process.
* Back at the main Scanner screen, click on the Show Results button to see a list of any malware that was found.
* Make sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected.
* When removal is completed, a log report will open in Notepad and you may be prompted to restart your computer. (see Note below)
* The log is automatically saved and can be viewed by clicking the Logs tab in MBAM.

* -- Note: If MBAM encounters a file that is difficult to remove, you will be presented with 1 of 2 prompts. Click OK to either and let MBAM proceed with the disinfection process. If asked to restart the computer, please do so immediately. Failure to reboot will prevent MBAM from removing all the malware.

**If you encounter this message:"c:\program files\malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamext.dll Unable to register the dll/ocx: RegSvr32 failed with exit code 0x5" Click on ignore mbamext.dll

did it help?

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Problem still exists
Oct 27, 2008 6:35AM PDT

Hi

Thank you so much for your advice. I followed the instuctions exactly and the malware program identified 4 infections. Unfortunately having removed the infections the problem still exists. A few minutes after having run the check the same pop-up appeared.

Do you have any other suggestions?
Thanks again for your help.
w14kiwi

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Do you have the NAME of the infection?
Oct 27, 2008 6:39AM PDT

You also could try:

Download and scan with SUPERAntiSpyware Free for Home Users

* Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and use the default settings for installation.
* An icon will be created on your desktop. Double-click that icon to launch the program.
* If asked to update the program definitions, click "Yes". If not, update the definitions before scanning by selecting "Check for Updates". (If you encounter any problems while downloading the updates, manually download and unzip them from here.)
* Under "Configuration and Preferences", click the Preferences button.
* Click the Scanning Control tab.
* Under Scanner Options make sure the following are checked (leave all others unchecked):

Close browsers before scanning.
Scan for tracking cookies.
Terminate memory threats before quarantining.

* Click the "Close" button to leave the control center screen.
* Back on the main screen, under "Scan for Harmful Software" click Scan your computer.
* On the left, make sure you check C:\Fixed Drive.
* On the right, under "Complete Scan", choose Perform Complete Scan.
* Click "Next" to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.
* After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click "OK".
* Make sure everything has a checkmark next to it and click "Next".
* A notification will appear that "Quarantine and Removal is Complete". Click "OK" and then click the "Finish" button to return to the main menu.
* If asked if you want to reboot, click "Yes".

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Still no joy I'm afraid
Oct 27, 2008 6:42PM PDT

Hello, and again thank you very much for your suggestions.

Unfortunately I don't know how to find the name of the infection. I installed the SuperAntiSpyware and ran it right through. It identified nine tracking cookies and then dealt with those. But unfortunately the pop-up keeps returning after around ten minutes. I'm not sure if it is doing my machine any damage, but I really would like to remove it.

Is there anything else that you can recommend I try?

Thank you so much for all your help.
w14kiwi

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(NT) What does the pop-up "say" ?
Oct 28, 2008 12:53AM PDT
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Pop up
Oct 28, 2008 1:06AM PDT

Hi the pop up heading says

"Alert"

And within the pop up it states

"Cannot create process"

Below that there is an "OK" button to click.

There is nothing else.

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Ah.. I see....
Oct 28, 2008 1:11AM PDT
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Event viewer
Oct 28, 2008 1:29AM PDT

I am using Norton Internet Security.

I will try the Event Viewer when I get home tonight and see if it gives me any clues.

I had tried googling the problem too, unfortunately none of the links I followed provided a conclusive way to get rid of the problem. It's starting to drive me crazy.

Thanks very much for all your help so far. I really do appreciate it.
w14kiwi

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Re: Event viewer
Oct 28, 2008 2:07AM PDT

O.k. - pls. let us know WHAT you found in the eventviewer, that could give us some important clues.