View Full Version : Spybot won't start after upgrade
I updated my spybot protections a few days ago, (late May 2009) immunized and ran a scan, no problems.
However, now when I start my computer Spybot freezes during startup, and eventually I get an error message saying an unexpected error occurred and Spybot is closing.
I've tried doing a complete clean install, but the same thing keeps happening.
Hi mdg333,
:welcome: to Safer Networking Forums:
Do you have Signs of Malware (http://www.virusvault.us/signs1.html)? I ask this, because sometimes Malware blocks Spybot.
What you can try:
Follow these directions (http://forums.spybot.info/showpost.php?p=294582&postcount=3) from md usa spybot fan.
How would I know if I had malware?
I followed the instructions in the link but they don't tell you how to tell or what to do about it.
OK, followed the other link. I don't have any of those problems.
I do have two similar sized scr savers and they have the same problem loading spybot.
The little loading bar comes up but only gets about 10% done before it freezes.
Also, Tea Timer loads ok.
Hi mdg333,
thank you for this update.
What you can try now (just to make sure that you are not infected with Malware):
Step # 1
Please start Windows in safe mode (http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml) and try to start Spybot normal and with these special *.scr files.
Moreover, you can try to rename these files (*.exe , *.scr) from Spybot into mdg333.exe for example and start them. Perhaps it may help you. If renaming was helpful, run a complete Spybot scan, it's possible that it may find some TDSS rootkit. Delete it.
If Step # 1 doesn't help you, you should go to the next one:
Step # 2
Follow these directions (http://forums.spybot.info/showpost.php?p=304562&postcount=2). :)
Happy Safe Surfing for the future! :cool:
Matt,
didn't get around to following your instructions as I tried a few other things.
Here's what I did.
1: Ran a complete spam/virus check using another tool (Bullguard) IT found two infections and got rid of them. However, Spybot still wouldn't start.
2 So I completely uninstalled Spybot and reinstalled it using the same exe I used last week.
Spybot did then load, although not so quick the first time. Interestingly when I looked at the Spybot panels there were extra buttons here and there.
I suspect, that even though the previous version was telling me it was 1.6.2, it wasn't. Not sure how that would have happened but there you go.
Anyway, it seems to be working ok now, although it's been a real rigmarole to get it functioing again.
Guess i must like it a lot to perserve with fixing the issue.
:alien:
Hi mdg333,
thank you for this update. :)
found two infections
Can you describe which kind of Malware was deleted?
Anyway, it seems to be working ok now
I'm glad to here that. :bigthumb:
Ah sorry Matt,
the antivirus program I ran (BullGuard) seemed to make my system very unstable so I just removed it.
PS Is there anyway to get notified by email when someone responds to a post?
I find this forum very hard to navigate and use compared to other forums.