Lost taskmanager

[TrueSlide]

Im running a Seanix pII 233 dual processor with an XP pro os.
I recently got a message, detailing that NT/authorized closing of an process had forced my computer to restart for saftey reasons. When i came back to my desktop, my Taskmanager wont load when i press ctrl+alt+del it pops up and then closes itself.

I have restarted my computer in safe mode and discovered that the svchost.exe was closed. I have gone to command prompt in my desktop and tried running Taskman.exe from there. it did not work, but worked in safe mode. I have tried opening up the svchost.exe/taskmgr.exe/taskman.exe from the run menu, but that was no good either. I ran adaware and norton 2003, both of those did not help.

Can someone suggest something to me? I am in need of help.

[SeanC]

Sounds like you might have a virus or someone inside playing around. I hate to say it but unless anyone comes up with another suggestion, wipe and reinstall.

Sean

[jak]

yea i agree with seanc, i cant think of anything aside from either a really bad os error or a virus, both of which would be best to format and start fresh

[OuTpaTienT]

Well personally I think that's a ridiculous first step of action. A wipe and reinstall is something that should be only after you've spent days (or weeks) trying to figure out your problem. And it's definitely way too drastric for people around here to be suggesting as a first course of action.

TrueSlide, have you investigated your services? Is it possible there are some services that are not starting but should be? Or are there any unfamiliar or new services running?

[TrueSlide]

Any idea on what kind of Virus/worm it could be? Wiping clean will be my last resort.

[jak]

I guess we were quick to suggest it because personnally i format my hdd alot, a rediculous amount, its no big deal for me because all of my data is backed up to another drive, no biggie, i dont want to waste time getting right to the exact source if i dont really have to, so a quick format and install in a hour or so and im on my way

[shahani]

Reinstalling and formatting is probably the fastest and surest solution.

Unless you have lots of time to waste.

[vfrxsw]

I have seen versions of the bugbear virus that closed and delete taskmgr.exe along with it's more commonly known ability to close antivirus and firewall programs. Would suggest you go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and run the housecall virus check to see what you might have. Had to run the bugbear cleaner tool from Symantec in safe mode because it was also closed and delete by whatever infected that pc.