No spybotSD.exe

A couple of days ago, I tried to run Spybot S&D as I hadn't run it for quite a while. I had version 1.4, and I've had it for a few years without any trouble at all.
But when I clicked in its icon, a message box came up saying "Windows is searching for SpybotSD.exe etc". I had a look in the Spybot folder and sure enough, that file wasn't there.
So I un-installed it and rebooted and then re-installed. But the same thing happened.
I've tried it several times now, but to no avail. So tonight, I downloaded a new copy of 1.4 and installed that. Still the same message.
Has anyone had this problem? Or does anyone know what might be causing it?

I have Windows XP SP2 with automatic updates.
Thanks

hi there, i am having the exact same problem, so if you have received any help, can you help me too

You could try uninstalling it,according to this:
http://www.spybot.info/en/howto/uninstall.html

Quote:

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Version 1.4 (also earlier versions) will uninstall from the Windows Add/Remove Software control panel without problems.

If you want to completely get rid of Spybot-S&D 1.4 (also earlier versions) and the Add/Remove doesn't help, you can delete the installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\), then download this very small fix and execute it (important! - this will remove all remains from the registry) (this also applies to earlier versions).

If you just want to upgrade to a newer version, please follow the same instructions like above and then install the new version.

After following these instructions please restart your system so that the changes can take place

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Then download and install it again.Download page is here:
http://www.spybot.info/en/mirrors/index.html

But,if spybotSD.exe disappears once again,you might want to get checked out in the malware removal forum.

The instructions are here:
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=288

Malware removal:
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22

There appears to be something that is deleting the spybotsd.exe, teatimer.exe, and a couple other files which is causing the links to not find the programs. I have a network of a couple computers which has allowed me to debug this a bit. Computer "A" seems to have the infection/whatever-it-is and computer "B" seems to be clear. If I re-install SB-1.4, and watch the SB directory >>> ON "A" <<<, these program files show up during the installation process then within a second, they disappear, deleted, gone, POOF!!! If, again from "A", I browse the network in Windows Explorer over to "B" to the SB-1.4 directory, "B's" copy of these files disappear, are deleted, gone, POOF!!! I can, however, go to "B" and reinstall 1.4 and see the program files with no problem.

A work around is if I copy spybotsd.exe to "copy of spybotsd.exe" in the SB-1.4's directory on "B" then copy the copy from "B" to "A" >>> USING "B" <<<, I'm able to get "copy of spybotsd.exe" into the SB-1.4 directory of "A". I'm then able to use Windows Explorer on "A" and navagate to the SB-1.4 directory and run SpyBot by double clicking the "copy of spybotsd.exe" program. I ended up going through the setup but is did let me finally get to the scan screen. It ran and found a number of problems, which I let it fix. It could not get rid of a couple files (C:\win2k\system32\drivers\ "core.cache.dsk" and "core.sys") or stop a system service called "core". For those I had to boot off of CD, go into system repair-console, manually delete the two files and use the command "DISABLE CORE" which seems to have cleared that problem.

I'm still unable to create the spybotsd.exe file without it immedately being deleted but I am able to run "copy of spybotsd.exe" and not get any other problems show up. So after all that, is there someone who can clear up the problem of the disappearing program executables? It's got to be something running or quite possibly something embedded in the explorer.exe program specifically targeted at Spybot Search & Destroy.

Perhaps you are infected with the W32BagleWorm.
This is a very nasty worm that deletes the Spybot.exe and several files of different antivirus-solutions.

You can try if this works:
Go to your windows to 'start' - 'run' - 'cmd'.
Then a DOS window will open where you can enter:
rename "%APPDATA%\hidires\m_hook.sys" old.data
This should rename the service.
Afterwards please make a fresh system start and try a fresh install of Spybot - Search & Destroy.
Please do also download the new detection rules.

For further information please have a look at this link in our forum:
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread...t=Spybotsd.exe
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread...t=Spybotsd.exe

You can also try this:
Please download Spybot on a clean PC and copy it to an USB stick.
Installation file: http://ftp.freenet.de/pub/filepilot/...spybotsd14.exe
Update file: http://www.spybotupdates.com/updates...d_includes.exe

Then rename the SpybotSD.exe and make the stick write protected.
The same with the TeaTimer.exe.
That should help.

If you need help then please ask our great helpers from the malware removal.
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=288