AIM closes on startup, spyware?

[Matt Warnock]

I have a problem with my computer. I'm running windows XP and i've been
running the same install for well over a year, which is great for me. I'd
like to try to keep problems under control instead of just formatting.
Well, i found a problem i can't fix. I'm using the newest version of AOL's
AIM. For some reason, when i start my computer, AIM will open and
mysteriously close before logging on. Ocassionally it will have enough time
to log in, but does ulitimately close. Could this be something running in
the background? I dont like jumping to conclusions about viruses and
spyware, but something is closing this program. What ideas do you have
about troubleshooting this?

thanks!

[data64]

"Matt Warnock" <mdw208@psu.edu> wrote in
news:X75jb.108708$qj6.4773478@news1.news.adelphia. net:

> I have a problem with my computer. I'm running windows XP and i've
> been running the same install for well over a year, which is great for
> me. I'd like to try to keep problems under control instead of just
> formatting. Well, i found a problem i can't fix. I'm using the newest
> version of AOL's AIM. For some reason, when i start my computer, AIM
> will open and mysteriously close before logging on. Ocassionally it
> will have enough time to log in, but does ulitimately close. Could
> this be something running in the background? I dont like jumping to
> conclusions about viruses and spyware, but something is closing this
> program. What ideas do you have about troubleshooting this?
>
> thanks!
>
>
>

What OS ? If it is Win2K or Win XP look in the Application Event log.


data64

[Matt Warnock]

i said Windows XP. There are no events concerning AIM in the event logs.
THe only problems seems to be w/ Norton AV not being able to open a few
files on its nightly scan.


"data64" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:Xns9415660771CCEData64Bigfootcom@130.133.1.4. ..
> "Matt Warnock" <mdw208@psu.edu> wrote in
> news:X75jb.108708$qj6.4773478@news1.news.adelphia. net:
>
> > I have a problem with my computer. I'm running windows XP and i've
> > been running the same install for well over a year, which is great for
> > me. I'd like to try to keep problems under control instead of just
> > formatting. Well, i found a problem i can't fix. I'm using the newest
> > version of AOL's AIM. For some reason, when i start my computer, AIM
> > will open and mysteriously close before logging on. Ocassionally it
> > will have enough time to log in, but does ulitimately close. Could
> > this be something running in the background? I dont like jumping to
> > conclusions about viruses and spyware, but something is closing this
> > program. What ideas do you have about troubleshooting this?
> >
> > thanks!
> >
> >
> >
>
> What OS ? If it is Win2K or Win XP look in the Application Event log.
>
>
> data64

[Nospam9212]

On 10/15/03 1:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time, "Matt Warnock" mdw208@psu.edu
wrote...

>I have a problem with my computer. I'm running windows XP and i've been
>running the same install for well over a year, which is great for me. I'd
>like to try to keep problems under control instead of just formatting.
>Well, i found a problem i can't fix. I'm using the newest version of AOL's
>AIM. For some reason, when i start my computer, AIM will open and
>mysteriously close before logging on. Ocassionally it will have enough time
>to log in, but does ulitimately close. Could this be something running in
>the background? I dont like jumping to conclusions about viruses and
>spyware, but something is closing this program. What ideas do you have
>about troubleshooting this?

(note: I am not familair with XP or the newest version of AIM but here's a few
ideas)

Close any firewall you may have running
Close any spyware blockers you may have running
Use netstat to help research/troubleshoot what ports are being accessed by AIM
Use a process viewer/killer (I recently posted a link to one) to see the
process tree
Rename your hosts file, temporarily

Generally... it isn't customary for client software to quit because it can't
access the 'Net but AIM may not be responding to a ping or failing to open a
TCP port. It may be trying to access a TCP port that's already opened for some
unknown reason or something else may be hijacking the AIM port. Try to find out
exactly what has to happen to get AIM to close. Try to recreate the situation.
Netstat can help.

There always has been more than a few people programming and using malicious
tools to use against AOL/AIM users.. called "proggies". Somebody may be giving
you a mini "denial of service" attack. Have you done anything to anger anyone
using AIM, lately? Anyone been giving YOU a hard time?

You can try a process viewer to analyse the process tree and see what dlls are
being used in the path of AIM. Look to see if any of them changed at or about
the same time you started experiencing the closings. Installing new software
sometimes makes changes that don't always sit well in the system... especially
if you install with apps running.

Of course, update your antivirus pattern file and do a complete system scan.

AIM could be closing if it can't access a certain port or IP address that's
being blocked by an adware blocker.

Check your firewall logs if you are running one.

Have you changed any settings concerning Internet security or cookies? Delete
any files or folders? You could be experiencing problems here but I wouldn't
really expect AIM to close... just cease to function.. but ya never know.

You may be able to use a program that you can toggle startup apps (like StartUp
Cop) and not even start some/most programs that start automatically. If you can
start up on a minimal system and get AIM to function all the time... reboot and
allow startup apps one at a time while trying AIM with each to see which one
may be problematic. I've used this technique successfully a few times. It's
time consuming but it may be worth it. (note: a good process viewer can kill
running processes but unless you know what you can kill and can't, I'd
recommend disallowing startups rather than killing off processes one by one)

Obviously if you've been using AIM for a year without a problem... something
has changed. It may be self-induced... AIM/AOL induced... or malicious. Until
you can narrow down some specifics, you're just gonna hunt blindly.

At this point.. to figure out what it is... eliminate all things it ain't !!


-= Francis Yarra =-
fyarraATjunoDOTcom
http://members.aol.com/fyarra001/ads - My drywall website
http://members.aol.com/fyarra001 - My C64 website
http://members.aol.com/prsnl99 - My personal website

[Matt Warnock]

thank you for all the tips. The inherent problem is AIM only opens and
closes on startup, once it is has dropped, I can open it fine manually.
I've tried reinstalling it but with no luck. it will be hard for me to do
research since it has to be done at startup as programs are loading.

As for malicious code, no I don't fight with anyone on IM. I only use it to
talk to people I know in person. I suppose there's a chance that someone
could have, but I can't think of anyone that's mad at me! haha.

Now the program does seem to close but not in a clean way, if I let it load
without/ touching my computer as it starts up, it leaves the unconnected
icon, and when I hover the mouse over it, it disappears, like when you force
a program closed.

is there a program I can get to view programs at startup and see what is
going wrong with them? thanks!


"Nospam9212" <nospam9212@aol.commune> wrote in message
news:20031016224159.28932.00000352@mb-m12.aol.com...
> On 10/15/03 1:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time, "Matt Warnock" mdw208@psu.edu
> wrote...
>
> >I have a problem with my computer. I'm running windows XP and i've been
> >running the same install for well over a year, which is great for me.
I'd
> >like to try to keep problems under control instead of just formatting.
> >Well, i found a problem i can't fix. I'm using the newest version of
AOL's
> >AIM. For some reason, when i start my computer, AIM will open and
> >mysteriously close before logging on. Ocassionally it will have enough
time
> >to log in, but does ulitimately close. Could this be something running
in
> >the background? I dont like jumping to conclusions about viruses and
> >spyware, but something is closing this program. What ideas do you have
> >about troubleshooting this?
>
> (note: I am not familair with XP or the newest version of AIM but here's a
few
> ideas)
>
> Close any firewall you may have running
> Close any spyware blockers you may have running
> Use netstat to help research/troubleshoot what ports are being accessed by
AIM
> Use a process viewer/killer (I recently posted a link to one) to see the
> process tree
> Rename your hosts file, temporarily
>
> Generally... it isn't customary for client software to quit because it
can't
> access the 'Net but AIM may not be responding to a ping or failing to open
a
> TCP port. It may be trying to access a TCP port that's already opened for
some
> unknown reason or something else may be hijacking the AIM port. Try to
find out
> exactly what has to happen to get AIM to close. Try to recreate the
situation.
> Netstat can help.
>
> There always has been more than a few people programming and using
malicious
> tools to use against AOL/AIM users.. called "proggies". Somebody may be
giving
> you a mini "denial of service" attack. Have you done anything to anger
anyone
> using AIM, lately? Anyone been giving YOU a hard time?
>
> You can try a process viewer to analyse the process tree and see what dlls
are
> being used in the path of AIM. Look to see if any of them changed at or
about
> the same time you started experiencing the closings. Installing new
software
> sometimes makes changes that don't always sit well in the system...
especially
> if you install with apps running.
>
> Of course, update your antivirus pattern file and do a complete system
scan.
>
> AIM could be closing if it can't access a certain port or IP address
that's
> being blocked by an adware blocker.
>
> Check your firewall logs if you are running one.
>
> Have you changed any settings concerning Internet security or cookies?
Delete
> any files or folders? You could be experiencing problems here but I
wouldn't
> really expect AIM to close... just cease to function.. but ya never know.
>
> You may be able to use a program that you can toggle startup apps (like
StartUp
> Cop) and not even start some/most programs that start automatically. If
you can
> start up on a minimal system and get AIM to function all the time...
reboot and
> allow startup apps one at a time while trying AIM with each to see which
one
> may be problematic. I've used this technique successfully a few times.
It's
> time consuming but it may be worth it. (note: a good process viewer can
kill
> running processes but unless you know what you can kill and can't, I'd
> recommend disallowing startups rather than killing off processes one by
one)
>
> Obviously if you've been using AIM for a year without a problem...
something
> has changed. It may be self-induced... AIM/AOL induced... or malicious.
Until
> you can narrow down some specifics, you're just gonna hunt blindly.
>
> At this point.. to figure out what it is... eliminate all things it ain't
!!
>
>
> -= Francis Yarra =-
> fyarraATjunoDOTcom
> http://members.aol.com/fyarra001/ads - My drywall website
> http://members.aol.com/fyarra001 - My C64 website
> http://members.aol.com/prsnl99 - My personal website
>

[-=ô;ö=-]

Hi Matt...My take on this may be that it is somewhat like YSM and performing an update
check prior to logging in and some where the re-start/log-on has been buggered up and
maybe a de-install of AIM and registry cleaning, then reinstall may be the cure..if not,
after a manual log-on, go to settings, check the setting for auto start-up deselect
it/apply/re-select/apply(but you may wish to disable any firewall/application guardians
you may have installed 1st)..

[Nospam9212]

On 10/17/03 2:28 AM Eastern Daylight Time, "Matt Warnock" mdw208@psu.edu
wrote...

>is there a program I can get to view programs at startup and see what is
>going wrong with them? thanks!

There are some great tools here...

http://www.systeminternals.com/

.... probably not exactly what you're looking for but the regmon util is
awesome.


-= Francis Yarra =-
fyarraATjunoDOTcom
http://members.aol.com/fyarra001/ads - My drywall website
http://members.aol.com/fyarra001 - My C64 website
http://members.aol.com/prsnl99 - My personal website

[777ER]

I have a problem with my computer. I'm running windows XP and i've been
running the same install for well over a year, which is great for me. I'd
like to try to keep problems under control instead of just formatting.
Well, i found a problem i can't fix. I'm using the newest version of AOL's
AIM. For some reason, when i start my computer, AIM will open and
mysteriously close before logging on. Ocassionally it will have enough time
to log in, but does ulitimately close. Could this be something running in
the background? I dont like jumping to conclusions about viruses and
spyware, but something is closing this program. What ideas do you have
about troubleshooting this?

thanks!

I had the exact same problem this week and found a fix...

Download Dail-A-Fix
http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix

Run the Dail-a-fix,

click on the hammer icon (labeled tools when mouse is placed over it)

Scroll down and select 'Repair permissions'

then click 'Go'

It's going to take a bit of time while it runs, when it's done, click 'Close'

then put a checkmark in 'Programming cores/runtimes' listed in "Registration center" on the right side.

then click 'Go'

After it's done,

click start > run > type in 'regsvr32 jscript.dll'
you should get a sucessful message.

Do the same thing but use 'regsvr32 vbscript.dll'
again, you should get a sucessful message.

Hope that helps.