Regedit: "Make sure file is valid or not in use."

[j0hn]

When I try to run Regedit I get the error.

Cannot acces the file 'c\windows\regedit.exe'.
Make sure the file is a valid program file and that it is not in use by another program.

Anyone know what I can do?

[Markoman01027]

What OS is this?

Regedit.exe should be in C:/WINNT for 2K/XP and C:/Windows for 9x

[j0hn]

98se Marco

Specifically:
C:\WINDOWS\REGEDIT.EXE

[Markoman01027]

Do a search for regedit.exe and tell us where the file is located.

[j0hn]

C:\windows

[icallmedan]

So you can't open it when you click on the .exe in c:\windows?

[j0hn]

I should also mention I am trying to get into Regedit to fix THIS problem I'm having when I try to run some programs:

'This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator.'

But this is my stand alone computer at home. I'm the administrator I guess you could say.

[j0hn]

Wierd. When I try and look for it in C drive I don't see it.

Alphabetically it goes Netlog, Regview.dll, Scandisk.log

I have show all files on in Folder Options too.

Edit: you guys think I should download Regedit.exe from for 98SE somewhere or what?

[icallmedan]

So if you go to Start>Run and type simply 'regedit' it doesn't open? If not, do a search for 'regedit.exe' again and click on it there, rather than try to manually find it.

[shadowbreaker513]

Go download WhoLockMe and see if there is a processor tying up the program

[j0hn]

Originally Posted by icallmedan So if you go to Start>Run and type simply 'regedit' it doesn't open? If not, do a search for 'regedit.exe' again and click on it there, rather than try to manually find it.

icallmedan, I clicked on it in FIND and got the same error as when I try to run it in RUN.

"Cannot acces the file 'c\windows\regedit\.exe'.
Make sure the file is a valid program file and that it is not in use by another program."

[j0hn]

Shadowbreaker I think WhoLockMe doesn't work on 9x

[icallmedan]

shouldnt it be 'regedit.exe' not 'regedit\.exe' Maybe for some reason it is looking for a file 'regedit\.exe" and it is not there. If you do the search for regedit.exe and rename it regedit\.exe maybe it will work. There are no guarantees, and I am not even sure it will let you name it that.

[j0hn]

yah the \ was a typo on my part I have been putting it in right though.

I guess this is just one of those unsolvable probles

[icallmedan]

Yep no 98, from the site:

"This freeware is an beta version, it Doesn't work on Win9x or WinMe."

**Edit

You could try an alternate registry editing program such as:

http://www.download.com/RegEditer/30...ml?tag=lst-3-5

I have never personally used it, but it was one of the only registry editors I could find for 98. You could give it a try.

[Panama Red]

Don't know if this will help. Did you try it in Safe mode? 'course if you can't see the .exe file in Windows chances are it's become corrupted. Have you run a virus scan lately?

[j0hn]

Originally Posted by Panama Red Don't know if this will help. Did you try it in Safe mode? 'course if you can't see the .exe file in Windows chances are it's become corrupted. Have you run a virus scan lately?

Yah icallmedan all registry editor type programs don't work unfortunately.

Panama Red, not recently. Which one do you want me to use?

Edit: Ill go try safemode real quick.

[j0hn]

Safemode same thing Panama Red,

"Cannot acces the file 'c\windows\regedit.exe'. Make sure the file is a valid program file and that it is not in use by another program."

[Panama Red]

Try a virus scan online at Trendmicro.com

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

[j0hn]

Originally Posted by Panama Red Try a virus scan online at Trendmicro.com http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

My hardrive is a disaster area. Can't run that virus scan I get the restricted error that sent me to try and fix the registry in the first place. But I need to get into the registry to fix THAT problem.

A catch 22 it seems.

Maybe I can download some virus scanner and run it in safemode?
Any suggestions?

Edit: found an online scanner that doesn't get an error when I try. Scanning now.

[Panama Red]

If you do chose to download one, the one that gets the most recommendations here (and the one I use on all my machines) is Grisoft's AVG 7.0 Free version.

www.grisoft.com

[j0hn]

So Far:
c:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\install032.exe - Trojan:Win32/SecondThought.C -> Infected
c:\Program Files\Common Files\updmgr\rvupdmgr.exe - TrojanDownloader:Win32/Keenval.A -> Infected
c:\Program Files\Common Files\updmgr\updmgr.exe - TrojanDownloader:Win32/Keenval.E -> Infected
c:\Program Files\Common Files\updmgr\simgr.exe - TrojanDownloader:Win32/Keenval.C -> Infected

[PCBrandon]

A last resort would be to just re-install windows.

[icallmedan]

Just hope AVG can find all the problems...

post your progress...

[j0hn]

Originally Posted by PCBrandon A last resort would be to just re-install windows.

Need to get into registry to get my key.

Haven't had my case in years. So whats that like a catch 33?

[Panama Red]

Naw, I think it's more like Catch 44 - twice as bad as 22!!

[j0hn]

lol

[Panama Red]

Not glad you found bugs in your system, but that's why I suggested the scan. The only regedit corruption info I could turn up at MS Knowledge base made mention of a Trojan. Sure hope you can clean em out.

[j0hn]

Originally Posted by Panama Red Not glad you found bugs in your system, but that's why I suggested the scan. The only regedit corruption info I could turn up at MS Knowledge base made mention of a Trojan. Sure hope you can clean em out.

Thanks Red, had to restart the scan because it tried to scan my D drive with my windows CD in it. Didn't want to wait, but maybe I should have.

[j0hn]

AVG got rid of the trojans and its working now go figure.

Thanks you guys!!