File - f4ac.99055 (Solved)

[seamorton]

When booting up PC ... I get the File ... f4ac.99055 with the message windows cannot open this file on screen. Then cancel or ok for selections. OS is XP3. Would like to know what I need to do to eliminate this from showing up every time I boot up? It has only started showing up over the last few days! Usually I just cancel the application and everything seems to work normally. Any assistance would be very much appreciated as it is rather annoying, if you know what I mean? Thank you very much. SM

 

[VirtualLarry]

Sounds like malware.

 

[seamorton]

Sounds like malware.

I have adware that works rather well. What would you suggest is needed to keep this from showing up if it is malware? Maybe do a restore?? Thank you for taking the time to reply. SM USAF 62-66

 

[bruceb]

Try reinstalling your video card drivers .. If that does not work, then try a System Restore to a point where that error message did not occur. Worst case, you may have to do a repair of Windows or maybe it is a malware that got in.

 

[UsandThem]

I have adware that works rather well. What would you suggest is needed to keep this from showing up if it is malware? Maybe do a restore?? Thank you for taking the time to reply. SM USAF 62-66

Windows 8.1 or Windows 10. You take on some inherent risks connecting a computer with Windows XP to the internet. There have not been any security updates for that OS for a while now.

You might want to do a clean install, but you should really consider moving to an OS that at least still gets security updates (Windows 7, 8.1, and 10).

 

[deustroop]

I have adware that works rather well. What would you suggest is needed to keep this from showing up if it is malware? Maybe do a restore?? Thank you for taking the time to reply. SM USAF 62-66

Mr Morton
What do you do with this computer ? Does anyone else have access ? Search for that file name--What size is the file, how much space does it occupy ? It may be part of a device I suppose . Run anti malware apps ?
(No longer serve ?)

 

[seamorton]

Mr Morton
What do you do with this computer ? Does anyone else have access ? Search for that file name--What size is the file, how much space does it occupy ? It may be part of a device I suppose . Run anti malware apps ?
(No longer serve ?)

Mr. Jforce .... Perhaps this may help, as I haven't the foggiest. I've noticed that The file shows up in my start .. startup bar. If I right on it I can move or close it but only for that session. However, the next startup shows the file again. And I have to do the same thing to close it. I presume it is somewhere in the start files but I not familiar on how to track it down to remove or delete it. Hope this helps? Thank you! SM

 

[bruceb]

If is showing up in your Start, then it is in the Registry somewhere. You can either open Regedit and search for it's key and delete or you could run a program like Malwarebytes to see what if finds. If it is something bad, it will find it. There is also a small program called Autoruns (from technet) that will show you exactly what is running when and will let you easily disable it. You can get Autoruns here:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

 

[deustroop]

Like bruce suggests, I would look to find the ah heck. Can you search for the file ? Go to the search box in any file explorer window ( where the C drive and others are shown) and enter the file name. The item should appear eventually. How many instances are there ?

Do not select/click it. Right click and select properties. Does any of the info make sense ? Size ? Creation date ? Select the Security Tab and highlight "system" in the users box. Are there any permissions ?

You likely have Windows Defender . Select it to scan the item . Does the result show a virus ? You could also try another anti virus app like Malwarebytes.

If none of this info is interesting then deletion is the best option. After deletion, reboot. Does it reappear ? If so, you will need to find the file name in regedit but best to report back here first.

At ease.

 

[Ketchup]

Well, it's XP, so there should be something in msconfig (System Configuration Utility) or Task Scheduler that shows you what is starting this program. Just keep in mind that once you find it, you might need to remove the entire directory it is in, as these things can re-create.

 

[bruceb]

XP or Win 7 / 8 / 10 ... Autoruns is a very simple, easy to use utility. You can easily see what is starting up and you can easily disable them. The program will in most cases, tell you what program the file is associated with. Depending on what it says, that might be a legit file and the program that uses it, may be corrupted somehow.

 

[seamorton]

If is showing up in your Start, then it is in the Registry somewhere. You can either open Regedit and search for it's key and delete or you could run a program like Malwarebytes to see what if finds. If it is something bad, it will find it. There is also a small program called Autoruns (from technet) that will show you exactly what is running when and will let you easily disable it. You can get Autoruns here:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

Very well bruceb....I'll see what I can do? Thank you! SM

 

[seamorton]

Try reinstalling your video card drivers .. If that does not work, then try a System Restore to a point where that error message did not occur. Worst case, you may have to do a repair of Windows or maybe it is a malware that got in.

Mr. bruceb ... a little behind on posting progress but a restore did not help! Haven't looked into nor do I understand the repair procedure. Thank you!

 

[seamorton]

Mr Morton
What do you do with this computer ? Does anyone else have access ? Search for that file name--What size is the file, how much space does it occupy ? It may be part of a device I suppose . Run anti malware apps ?
(No longer serve ?)

Mr. Force file name is f4ac.99005 .... 99055 is wrong. Type is 99005 .... origin 0908 ... size ... 20k. Home PC

 

[seamorton]

If is showing up in your Start, then it is in the Registry somewhere. You can either open Regedit and search for it's key and delete or you could run a program like Malwarebytes to see what if finds. If it is something bad, it will find it. There is also a small program called Autoruns (from technet) that will show you exactly what is running when and will let you easily disable it. You can get Autoruns here:
https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

Mr bruceb... File found C: documents and settings\ Local settings\ application data\0908\f4ac.99005. The posted file 99055 is wrong. Upon deletion and when starting up I get a black box upon startup with C:\windows\system 32\cmd.exe there is another box just below that which has written C:documents & settings start QFfOdZ01B60crPfAVjJ - C:documents & settings\name of pc\local settings\application data\0908\f4ac.99005 if I close both the PC will start. Hope this makes sense and can help? Thank you! SM

 

[seamorton]

Like bruce suggests, I would look to find the ah heck. Can you search for the file ? Go to the search box in any file explorer window ( where the C drive and others are shown) and enter the file name. The item should appear eventually. How many instances are there ?

Do not select/click it. Right click and select properties. Does any of the info make sense ? Size ? Creation date ? Select the Security Tab and highlight "system" in the users box. Are there any permissions ?

You likely have Windows Defender . Select it to scan the item . Does the result show a virus ? You could also try another anti virus app like Malwarebytes.

If none of this info is interesting then deletion is the best option. After deletion, reboot. Does it reappear ? If so, you will need to find the file name in regedit but best to report back here first.

At ease.

Have not been able to locate Windows Defender for XP. It is available for 7 & up. Unless I'm missing something? Thank U! SM

 

[seamorton]

Well, it's XP, so there should be something in msconfig (System Configuration Utility) or Task Scheduler that shows you what is starting this program. Just keep in mind that once you find it, you might need to remove the entire directory it is in, as these things can re-create.

I did locate the file but not familiar with being able to determine what is starting the system. msconfig (system configuration utilityl) task scheduler??? It would be nice to know how to find out what it is that is starting this program. Thank you!

 

[bruceb]

Use Malwarebytes ... I posted a link to it above. It works much better than windows defender.
Use the Autoruns program I linked to above. Very easy to tell what is starting and when and by what. All you need to do is extract the program to a folder and then click on autoruns.exe to run it. It does not actually get installed.

 

[seamorton]

Use Malwarebytes ... I posted a link to it above. It works much better than windows defender.
Use the Autoruns program I linked to above. Very easy to tell what is starting and when and by what. All you need to do is extract the program to a folder and then click on autoruns.exe to run it. It does not actually get installed.

You are right I downloaded and ran the autorun program. Ran the autoruns exe. listed the files very nicely. However I haven't the foggiest of what to do with the listed links posted??? Was not able to find file f4ac.99005 among them. Thank you?

 

[VirtualLarry]

There is no "Windows Defender" for XP. It was originally a for-pay MS Anti-Virus, called "OneCare", then it got called "Microsoft Security Essentials" and became a free add-on for Genuine Windows owners. Only in versions of Windows later than Windows 7, was "Microsoft Security Essentials" rolled into the OS itself, and then re-named "Windows Defender".

The original "Windows Defender" from Vista and Windows 7 was a different and weaker Anti-malware program than "Microsoft Security Essentials" in Windows 7. It has been discontinued.

Anyways, "Microsoft Security Essentials" for XP has been discontinued, EOLed.

 

[deustroop]

As advised several times, download the free malwarebytes app and scan for the virus.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/

If it offers to delete or quarantine an item, make a note of its description , click OK then reboot to see if it reappears.

 

[seamorton]

There is no "Windows Defender" for XP. It was originally a for-pay MS Anti-Virus, called "OneCare", then it got called "Microsoft Security Essentials" and became a free add-on for Genuine Windows owners. Only in versions of Windows later than Windows 7, was "Microsoft Security Essentials" rolled into the OS itself, and then re-named "Windows Defender".

The original "Windows Defender" from Vista and Windows 7 was a different and weaker Anti-malware program than "Microsoft Security Essentials" in Windows 7. It has been discontinued.

Anyways, "Microsoft Security Essentials" for XP has been discontinued, EOLed.

Thanks for clearing that up. I wasn't able to find any "Windows Defender" downloads available for XP. Thanks again!

 

[seamorton]

Use Malwarebytes ... I posted a link to it above. It works much better than windows defender.
Use the Autoruns program I linked to above. Very easy to tell what is starting and when and by what. All you need to do is extract the program to a folder and then click on autoruns.exe to run it. It does not actually get installed.

The autorun program located the file. It is listed as a default file. It cannot be deleted using autorun. Autorun message - Error deleting start setting. The system cannot find the file specified.

Be as it may ... I will be restoring XP at a later date. Thank you all for your suggestions. You made my day! SM USAF 62-66