Windows cannot access the specified file

C

Chipmunk

New member
When I try to run Spybot S & D (with right click on the desktop icon and run as Administrator) I get the message: 'Windows cannot access the specified file. You may not have the appropriate permission to access this item.' The file concerned is SpybotSD.exe.
After looking through the forum I tried running in diagnostic startup but I got the same message.
I then uninstalled Spybot S & D and installed again (running the install as Administrator). The program installed and ran ok and I was able to update and do a full scan (no problems found). However, when I closed the program and then tried to run it again (by right clicking on the desktop icon and running as Administrator) I end up with the same message that windows cannot access the specified file...
Interestingly I find that I can run the program by clicking on the teatimer icon (near the clock) but of course I cannot use the program properly because I am not running it as administrator.
Can someone please advise how I can solve this problem? I use Vista Home and have AVG, Comodo firewall, Spyblaster and AdAware and my version of Spybot S & D is 1.6.2.46.
 
Thanks for the reply. I have done as you suggest but the general tab does not show the warning you described. The file size is 5.11 MB.
One interesting thing I have noticed is that the file was created on 23 April 2009 but was modified on 26 January 2009! The attributes show Read-only with a tick and Hidden with a greyed tick. I don't know if any of this helps?
 
One interesting thing I have noticed is that the file was created on 23 April 2009 but was modified on 26 January 2009!
Click to expand...

That's normal,mine is the same. :)
The Read-only with a tick and Hidden with a greyed tick is normal,and the file size is,too.

Is Spybot the only app you've had this happen with when you rightclick and run as admin?

Could you rightclick the Spybot desktop icon,select Properties,then the Security tab.If it's not too much trouble,could you tell me what has checkmarks beside them in each section,i.e. when you click on System,does Full Control have a check beside it,etc.
 
Thanks again - and for confirming that the information I provided was 'normal'!

Yes, Spybot is the only app I have had this problem with.

On the Properties/Security there are three names (including SYSTEM). All three have ticks in the 'Allow' column for: Full control, Modify, Read & Execute, Read, Write. The Special permissions is blank. The 'Deny' column is blank too.
 
You're welcome. :)

On the Properties/Security there are three names (including SYSTEM). All three have ticks in the 'Allow' column for: Full control, Modify, Read & Execute, Read, Write. The Special permissions is blank. The 'Deny' column is blank too.
Click to expand...

Those are all as they should be,then.

I tried putting Spybot into compatibility mode for XP service pack 2,to see if I could gear up something you could use in the meantime,until I can see if I can come up with something better.
However,when I put mine into compatibility mode,looks like Spybot can't open.
You can try it with yours,though,and see what happens.
Rightclick the Spybot desktop icon,select Properties,go to the compatibility tab.Put a checkmark beside Run this program in compatibility mode for:,then in the dropdown box select XP service pack 2,click apply and then OK.
Reboot,and try opening Spybot.
If it comes up that Spybot can't open,just go back into Properties->Compatibility tab,and remove the checkmark,click Apply and Ok.

In the meantime,I'll dig around and see what else I can come up with. :)
 
I had already put the hidden files etc back to 'normal'; but thanks for the reminder - better to be safe than sorry! :)
I tried the XP SP2 compatability mode as you suggested but I am afraid I still get the same message 'Windows cannot access the specified file...' so I will await the results of your 'digging around'.
Thanks very much for all your help so far and for sticking with the problem.
 
Good,glad you put the hidden files back.
You're welcome. :)
If you open Spybot from the desktop without rightclicking and running as admin,do you get the same message?

Also,this will sound strange,I know,but there's a method to my madness. :D: Could you click the start menu,All Programs,click on Spybot-Search & Destroy folder icon to open it,then rightclick Spybot-Search & Destroy,select run as admin,and let me know if you get the same "windows cannot access the specified file' message.
 
Sorry for the delay - we were out all day yesterday. :)

I have tried the two suggestions you made and I get exactly the same message on both occasions as I got before, ie Windows cannot access the specified file. :sad:
 
Chipmunk said:
Sorry for the delay - we were out all day yesterday. :)
Click to expand...

No problem. :)
Could you rightclick AVG,select Open AVG Interface,click History up top,then Virus Vault?In the path to file section,at the end,is there anything that seems like it might be a spybot file?Like SpybotSD.exe,for example.
 
Thanks for this. Most of the entries in that file relate to cookies. The ones that don't were to do with Realplayer, Flash and a PUP viruscleaner.dll. At the end of the list are 3 items with N/A in the path to file list and these are infections that were stored in 2008 - well before this present problem was experienced. :scratch:
 
Hello.Sorry for the delay. :)
Well,since Spybot will run for you from rightclicking Teatimer,let's try this and see what happens:
Please show hidden files and folders,once again.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial130.html
Navigate to C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy
Rightclick SpybotSD.exe,go to the compatibility tab.Under Privilege Level,check mark Run this program as an administrator,click Apply,and OK.Go back to your desktop,and rightclick Teatimer down by the clock,and select Run Spybot S&D.What happens then,do you get a prompt from UAC,or do you get the same 'Windows cannot access the specified file. You may not have the appropriate permission to access this item.' message?
 
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No problem; I'm glad you take a break occasionally! :laugh:

Yes, this latest suggestion of yours does work. Out of interest I then tried using the normal desktop icon and running as administrator but the same message 'Windows cannot access the specified file...' still appears.

I have left the tick in the privilege level to run as administrator but hidden the files again - until I hear more from you.
 
I don't know if this will help... I have just tried SAFE mode and the problem is no longer there; everything worked normally! :)

I was under the impression that diagnostic start up mode was very similar to SAFE mode as only basic drivers etc are loaded. However, clearly there is a difference. Sorry if I have led you astray somewhat but hopefully this may help you to guide me to find a full solution to the problem.
 
Chipmunk said:
I have left the tick in the privilege level to run as administrator but hidden the files again - until I hear more from you.
Click to expand...
Perfect.Please leave it just like that for now.You're doing great. :)

I'm glad that Spybot will run in admin mode from rightclicking Teatimer.

And yes,you running Spybot while in safe mode was very helpful. :)
Could you login to Windows in normal mode and start Spybot via rightclicking Teatimer,say yes to the UAC prompt.Click mode,then Advanced mode.Click the Tools section,then select the System startup tool.Click your right mouse button somewhere on the list,and select Copy to clipboard,then paste it here,please.
 
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I hope I have got this right! Details are as follows:

--- Spybot - Search & Destroy version: 1.6.2 (build: 20090126) ---

2009-01-26 blindman.exe (1.0.0.8)
2009-01-26 SDFiles.exe (1.6.1.7)
2009-01-26 SDMain.exe (1.0.0.6)
2009-01-26 SDShred.exe (1.0.2.5)
2009-01-26 SDUpdate.exe (1.6.0.12)
2009-01-26 SDWinSec.exe (1.0.0.12)
2009-01-26 SpybotSD.exe (1.6.2.46)
2009-03-05 TeaTimer.exe (1.6.6.32)
2007-06-21 unins000.exe (51.41.0.0)
2009-04-23 unins001.exe (51.49.0.0)
2009-01-26 Update.exe (1.6.0.7)
2009-01-26 advcheck.dll (1.6.2.15)
2007-04-02 aports.dll (2.1.0.0)
2005-05-31 borlndmm.dll (7.0.4.453)
2005-05-31 delphimm.dll (7.0.4.453)
2008-06-14 DelZip179.dll (1.79.11.1)
2009-01-26 SDHelper.dll (1.6.2.14)
2008-06-19 sqlite3.dll
2009-01-26 Tools.dll (2.1.6.10)
2009-01-16 UninsSrv.dll (1.0.0.0)
2005-05-31 UnzDll.dll (1.73.1.1)
2005-05-31 ZipDll.dll (1.73.2.0)
2009-03-25 Includes\Adware.sbi
2009-04-28 Includes\AdwareC.sbi
2009-01-22 Includes\Cookies.sbi
2009-03-31 Includes\Dialer.sbi
2009-04-21 Includes\DialerC.sbi
2009-01-22 Includes\HeavyDuty.sbi
2009-04-21 Includes\Hijackers.sbi
2009-04-28 Includes\HijackersC.sbi
2009-03-17 Includes\Keyloggers.sbi
2009-04-28 Includes\KeyloggersC.sbi
2004-11-29 Includes\LSP.sbi
2009-04-07 Includes\Malware.sbi
2009-04-28 Includes\MalwareC.sbi
2009-03-25 Includes\PUPS.sbi
2009-04-28 Includes\PUPSC.sbi
2009-01-22 Includes\Revision.sbi
2009-01-13 Includes\Security.sbi
2009-04-21 Includes\SecurityC.sbi
2008-06-03 Includes\Spybots.sbi
2008-06-03 Includes\SpybotsC.sbi
2009-04-07 Includes\Spyware.sbi
2009-04-28 Includes\SpywareC.sbi
2009-04-07 Includes\Tracks.uti
2009-04-29 Includes\Trojans.sbi
2009-04-29 Includes\TrojansC.sbi
2008-03-04 Plugins\Chai.dll
2008-03-05 Plugins\Fennel.dll
2008-02-26 Plugins\Mate.dll
2007-12-24 Plugins\TCPIPAddress.dll

Located: HK_LM:Run, Adobe Reader Speed Launcher
command: "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
file: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe
size: 35696
MD5: 452FA961163EF4AEE4815796A13AB2CF

Located: HK_LM:Run, AVG8_TRAY
command: C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
file: C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
size: 1932568
MD5: CB0BC853D84A61457AA9DB16C46DA07E

Located: HK_LM:Run, COMODO Firewall Pro
command: "C:\Program Files\COMODO\Firewall\cfp.exe" -h
file: C:\Program Files\COMODO\Firewall\cfp.exe
size: 1851128
MD5: 199B6E9E030548F6A0E914C624A5FF6D

Located: HK_LM:Run, COMODO Internet Security
command: "C:\Program Files\COMODO\Firewall\cfp.exe" -h
file: C:\Program Files\COMODO\Firewall\cfp.exe
size: 1851128
MD5: 199B6E9E030548F6A0E914C624A5FF6D

Located: HK_LM:Run, SMSTray
command: C:\Program Files\Samsung\Samsung Media Studio 5\SMSTray.exe
file: C:\Program Files\Samsung\Samsung Media Studio 5\SMSTray.exe
size: 132624
MD5: 8E2E19D483FCC452E7BF7A49FA1B06D8

Located: HK_LM:Run, SoundMan
command: SOUNDMAN.EXE
file: C:\Windows\SOUNDMAN.EXE
size: 604704
MD5: 6C7F8345500A75EBF0C3F325B305CE50

Located: HK_LM:Run, StartCCC
command: "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
file: C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe
size: 61440
MD5: C95EE92F09CA395A4EDD039D8F49DF0F

Located: HK_LM:Run, SunJavaUpdateSched
command: "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
file: C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
size: 136600
MD5: B98FFA8288EFAABC436C30D198608345

Located: HK_LM:Run, TkBellExe
command: "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
file: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
size: 185896
MD5: 89D583FC41D48328128A974C25AFAEB7

Located: HK_LM:Run, Windows Defender
command: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
file: C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
size: 1008184
MD5: 0D392EDE3B97E0B3131B2F63EF1DB94E

Located: HK_LM:Run, Adobe Reader Speed Launcher (DISABLED)
command: "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
file: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe
size: 0
MD5: D41D8CD98F00B204E9800998ECF8427E
Warning: if the file is actually larger than 0 bytes,
the checksum could not be properly calculated!

Located: HK_LM:Run, Microsoft Works Portfolio (DISABLED)
command: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe /AllUsers
file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe
size: 331830
MD5: 93A5FC4337DF3ED8546755B26C4B1E75

Located: HK_LM:Run, Microsoft Works Update Detection (DISABLED)
command: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
file: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
size: 28738
MD5: 5AC34C17115D3818DC9C9F5B2D909858

Located: HK_LM:Run, MoneyStartUp10.0 (DISABLED)
command: "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\Activation.exe"
file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\Activation.exe
size: 245810
MD5: C3324C371D673330812DB9311112D7EC

Located: HK_LM:Run, TomTomHOME.exe (DISABLED)
command: "C:\Program Files\TomTom HOME\TomTomHOME.exe" -s
file: C:\Program Files\TomTom HOME\TomTomHOME.exe
size: 0
MD5: D41D8CD98F00B204E9800998ECF8427E
Warning: if the file is actually larger than 0 bytes,
the checksum could not be properly calculated!

Located: HK_CU:Run, Sidebar
where: S-1-5-19...
command: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem
file: C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe
size: 1233920
MD5: FD278E51A7D6F52D22FCE6C67E037AD6

Located: HK_CU:Run, WindowsWelcomeCenter
where: S-1-5-19...
command: rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter
file: C:\Windows\system32\oobefldr.dll
size: 2153472
MD5: 83E4A5435B0FA6AD0166722621A04725

Located: HK_CU:Run, Sidebar
where: S-1-5-20...
command: %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem
file: C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe
size: 1233920
MD5: FD278E51A7D6F52D22FCE6C67E037AD6

Located: HK_CU:Run, WindowsWelcomeCenter
where: S-1-5-20...
command: rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter
file: C:\Windows\system32\oobefldr.dll
size: 2153472
MD5: 83E4A5435B0FA6AD0166722621A04725

Located: HK_CU:Run, ehTray.exe
where: S-1-5-21-2775147017-1924569671-740138590-1000...
command: C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
file: C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
size: 125952
MD5: BF08674925F151BD4537B89A493E3E0C

Located: HK_CU:Run, Microsoft Works Update Detection
where: S-1-5-21-2775147017-1924569671-740138590-1000...
command: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WkDetect.exe
file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WkDetect.exe
size: 0
MD5: D41D8CD98F00B204E9800998ECF8427E
Warning: if the file is actually larger than 0 bytes,
the checksum could not be properly calculated!

Located: HK_CU:Run, Sidebar
where: S-1-5-21-2775147017-1924569671-740138590-1000...
command: C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
file: C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
size: 1233920
MD5: FD278E51A7D6F52D22FCE6C67E037AD6

Located: HK_CU:Run, SpybotSD TeaTimer
where: S-1-5-21-2775147017-1924569671-740138590-1000...
command: C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
file: C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\TeaTimer.exe
size: 2260480
MD5: 390679F7A217A5E73D756276C40AE887

Located: HK_CU:Run, TomTomHOME.exe
where: S-1-5-21-2775147017-1924569671-740138590-1000...
command: "C:\Program Files\TomTom HOME 2\TomTomHOMERunner.exe"
file: C:\Program Files\TomTom HOME 2\TomTomHOMERunner.exe
size: 251240
MD5: 325823A094DF00533DF23393E9E78BB2

Located: HK_CU:Run, WMPNSCFG
where: S-1-5-21-2775147017-1924569671-740138590-1000...
command: C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe
file: C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe
size: 202240
MD5: 35937EAD711207544E219C2A19A78A7D

Located: HK_CU:Run, Microsoft Works Update Detection (DISABLED)
where: S-1-5-21-2775147017-1924569671-740138590-1000...
command: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WkDetect.exe
file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WkDetect.exe
size: 0
MD5: D41D8CD98F00B204E9800998ECF8427E
Warning: if the file is actually larger than 0 bytes,
the checksum could not be properly calculated!

Located: HK_CU:Run, MoneyAgent (DISABLED)
where: S-1-5-21-2775147017-1924569671-740138590-1000...
command: "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\Money Express.exe"
file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\Money Express.exe
size: 188472
MD5: 030AA5152B4B6BAB24F4A605737BC3D2

Located: Startup (common), Microsoft Office.lnk (DISABLED)
where: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup...
command: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
file: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
size: 83360
MD5: 5BC65464354A9FD3BEAA28E18839734A

Located: Startup (common), Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk (DISABLED)
where: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup...
command: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
file: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
size: 24633
MD5: 39FDFD34F7B04290D1BC53E3D6EC7D83
 
Yes,you got it right. :)

Located: HK_LM:Run, COMODO Internet Security
command: "C:\Program Files\COMODO\Firewall\cfp.exe" -h
file: C:\Program Files\COMODO\Firewall\cfp.exe
size: 1851128
MD5: 199B6E9E030548F6A0E914C624A5FF6D
Click to expand...

Do you have Comodo antivirus,along with Comodo firewall?

Also,could you rightclick the Spybot desktop icon,select Properties,then shortcut.In the box next to Target:,could you copy and paste the info from that box to here?It probably looks something like this:
"C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SpybotSD.exe" /advancedmode
 
No, I have AVG for antivirus.

The Target info is:

"C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SpybotSD.exe"

There is definitely nothing after exe" - but no doubt you will know if that is significant!

Incidentally, I found that I was unable to run MS Flight Simulator 2002 earlier today (haven't tried it for some time). It didn't run; I ended up with a black screen and had to use the reboot button (control alt del didn't work) to get the computer back to life again. I looked on Comodo forum and found that I was able to get the program running by putting the firewall and Defence+ into training mode and then running FS2002. I was then able to reset the firewall and Defence+ to SAFE mode and all is now well with FS2002. Ignore all this about FS2002 if it is not relevant to my spybot problem. :laugh:
 
No,it's okay not to have anything after the .exe.

Do you have the link to the info on Comodo forum that helped you run flight simulator?If so,could you post it so I can look,please? :)
 
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