Detailed answer about windows/system32 error?

Question

I've had a computer that at startup always reads windows cannot find C:\windows\system32\dvaudio.exe. Make sure you typed the name correctly... I hit "okay" and then another message pops up saying that it cannot run that same file specified in the registry, make sure it exists on your computer, and again, I just hit "okay". I was able to then continue to do everything I needed to on the computer. Problem is I am selling the computer and I don't want that to appear at startup. Is there a way to fix it or get rid of it? I looked in system info under startup programs and see system32\dvraudio.exe there. Can I just delete it? It also does the same thing to windows\system32\mdmdll.exe. What are they and how do I stop it from popping up when I turn on the computer. Remember, I've been using the computer after hitting "okay" without incident. HELP!

Answer 1

Go to start, then RUN. In the box type msconfig and then hit enter. A popup window will appear. Under the startup tab, make sure you uncheck any audio devices that are starting up on startup and just check the boxes that you want to load on startup.

If you are selling the computer, you might have personal info stored in the computer that you might not see, but the next owner might. I would just reformat and reinstall Windows so that you can start from fresh and make the new owner start from fresh.

Answer 2

I took a course with registry edit and it seems that there may be a line missing or incorrect or perhaps a file is missing or corrupted.

There is a number of ways you can go about this. Easy way is your selling the PC get the info off of it you wish to keep and reformat it back to its factory setting. This will also increase its speed anyhow and make it a lot more neat for the buyer.

I do not know about this problem pacifically but you can probably fix it by edited regedit but that's not easy. I do not recommend deleting the files unless someone that knows about this problem tell you too. Also get more then one person advice before you do something critical. Either way backup the files because you might mess things up trying to fix the problem and need to reformat anyhow.

Answer 3

If your running windows 98 what I would do is go to your MS-DOS prompt and type in deltree c:...hit enter
(Warning) if you type in this deltree you will lose all saved data so make sure you have a boot up disk and the 98 software to reload if you are running Windows 98.
Once your drive is deleted you can pop in your boot disk and boot that system back up when you get to the A:prompt type in format C:/s
Once the computer is done formating make usre you type in large disc suopport.
Then when the formatting is done
Pop in your Windows 98 disk and make sure you have the key code to punch in because it will ask you for it.
if you need more help go online to your specific Windows your running ad copy the re-boot format!
Good Luck

Answer 4

DO NOT sell it until you have wiped the hard drive. Even though you may have deleted what you think is important, it is still there on your hard drive. Do a Google search for secure deletion software and use one of them, you won't be sorry. Unless of course you want to give away all of your personal info to a stranger.

Answer 5

Go to start button click run button and type msconfig and then click startup. You can see lots of unwanted programmed is there what you don't want, sometimes virus pin there and that virus starts when you turn on your pc. So click on 'Disable All' and restart your pc, you will notice your pc starts faster than before. After restart you will see a box and click don't show me this.

Answer 6

A quick google search points to spyware/virus/trojan.

You might hit a free virus scanning site an run a check.

Answer 7

if you are going to be selling it i would remove everything from the hard drive. killdisk works great.