Internet explorer and system restore have failed w/ errors 3

[Ericas]

Hello,

I have winxp pro sp2. I wonder if this could be a virus or something? When I click on internet explorer I get a file dowload box which is displaying:

"getting file infromation /from msn.com" and immediately after that a second window pops up with the red X and reads "Internet explorer was not able to open this site. The requested site is either unavailable or cannot be found. Please try again later."

So I ran chkdsk and many errors came up and I guess were fixed?

So I boot back up after chkdsk and internet explorer will not open and I still receive the same error. No internet access for me.

My next step is to try system restore but when I click on that I get another red X and the title is:

"DDE Server Window: rstrui.exe - Unable to locate component" and next to the red X it reads "This aplication has failed to start because msls31.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem."

It is hard to believe both internet explorer and system restore are affected and not working.

Has anyone seen anything like this? I have been googleing for an hour. Thanks in advance.

 

[TomCologne]

So I ran chkdsk and many errors came up and I guess were fixed?"

Did you use the /r switch or not?


The library file msls31.dll, is used by windows programs when working with Unicode character sets (often found on the internet). If msls31.dll is unavailable, programs that have to work with Unicode (such as Internet Explorer) will no longer work.

Source:

http://www.auditmypc.com/process/msls31.asp

Does Search find msls31.dll or is it indeed missing?

What's your anti-virus program and is it updated?


TomCologne

 

[bcastner]

I suspect the disk errors are a seperate issue.

Control Panel, Internet Options, Advanced, and uncheck the use of third-party browser. Extensions. Reboot and hit the F8 key early and often --
Can you boot into Safe Mode with networking and get on the internet?

You really need to do a malware scan. See faq608-4650

 

[Ericas]

Thank you thank you for your replies!

@Tom Cologne

I did use the chkdsk /r switch in recovery console. No change. Took a long time to perform.

When I click on I.E. now I still get the red X error internet explorer cannot download.....21706ed83696fb0d1fefc169f344. blah blah blahhhh...

The file is missing when I do a search msls31.dll

@bcastner

I am connected to the internet because steam program connects ---- I can ping too. Its just IE is damaged somehow along with system restore. I followed just about every step from your great faqq608-4650 and at the end spybot just removed some cookies and know states everything is clean. I do have a hijack this report but I don't really know how to interpret it --- I could post it.


Maybe there is no virus? Ok is there anyway to install a new msls31.dll and a new IE and someway to fix system restore?

Should I do a full format (don't really want to) or should I try to re-install Xp over the top of itself to fix missing files and errors?

Again thanks in advance.

 

[bcastner]

If it is missing, run IEFix and be sure to checkmark the option box to do an SFC /Scannow:

http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFIX.htm

 

[TomCologne]

This might be interesting:

http://www.hijackthis.de/index.php

provides an automated analysis of hijackthis.log. Not perfect but a start.



TomCologne

 

[Ericas]

Tom thanks that link was great and it read my hijack log as everything being safe with the green check mark.

Now I need to figure out if I should format :-(

I have been trying microsoft and google to narrow down why IE and system restore is toast.

Should I go through all this trouble or would you back up everything and format? I wonder if these errors could do with upgrading to winxp pro retail sp2 from winxp pro corporate with no service packs ---- maybe I should have chosen a new install and formatted?

Thanks again.

 

[Ericas]

bcastner tried the IE fix and thought it would work oh well nice try ---- I appreciate the link.

I just installed firefox so I am able to browse again --- it seems faster than IE. I will probably re-install later. What
virus protection do you recommend Nortons or......?

Thanks

 

[TomCologne]

Firefox, good idea, Ericas!

I don't think your System Restore is toast, it just can't find a file in its list.

Since I haven't used IEFix yet I don't know if it is worth trying it manually, bcastner, please correct me if I'm wrong:

Extract msls31.dll from your installation disc or download it from

http://www.dlldump.com/dll-files/M_15.html

(#359 msls31.dll 143K 3.10.349.0)

to "C:\WINDOWS\system32".

Start>Run, type "regsvr32 msls31.dll" (without quotes)

If registration is successful start IE.

It sounds like you currently don't have any virus protection, maybe you should do an online virus scan first, eg here:

Trend Micro HouseCall (

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp)

I'm a happy user of AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition (

http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php)

but I'd be interested in bcastner's
recommendation, too.


More to read,

General information:

http://www.spywarewarrior.com/

Anti-Virus Programs:

https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/soft1.htm

Spyware/Adware/Hijackware Tools:

https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/soft6.htm

TomCologne

 

[linney]

Lots of Security Software reviews and test results here.

http://wsj.consumersearch.com/computers/antivirus_software/reviews.html

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&cat=gwd/Top&q=Anti+Virus+Products+Reviews+Testing&btnG=Search

 

[Ericas]

All of you guys are great!!! I have a lot to try. I will let you know. Now that I have a browser I can do some internet scans.

Thanks again!

 

[Ericas]

@TomCologne

Ok where do I send you a check. Unbelievable!!!!! The missing dll from that great website

http://www.dlldump.com/dll-files/M_15.html

(#359 msls31.dll 143K 3.10.349.0)
fixed IE and system restore!!!!!! I am saving a lot of website links for future use. I thought it was a virus. I am looking into purchasing a good anti-virus too.

This is the greatest forum ever! All of you in your free time provide an invaluable service ------ I wish I could shake your hands.

 

[TomCologne]

My pleasure, Ericas

TomCologne