task manager not starting error "The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000006"

I have seen situations where malicious software knows that you are trying to run Task Manager and will not let taskmgr.exe exist as a running process.  The malicious software knows you might use Task Manager to try to find and remove it so it will not let it run.

I have never seen your error - usually TM just will not start and there is no message, but to "fool" it here is what I usually do:

You can fool the malicious software (then fix it).

Assuming your Windows is installed on your C drive, using Windows Explorer, navigate to the c:\windows\system32 folder and locate taskmgr.exe.

Copy the taskmgr.exe file and rename the copy something that the malicious software will not recognize.  I like to call the copy:

c:\windows\system32*jose.exe*

Double click jose.exe and see if the Windows Task Manager window will open now.

The problem is the malicious software will not let the taskmgr.exe be a running process, but it does not know about jose.exe as a running process so you just outsmart it (I have a feeling that it will know about jose.exe someday though).

That will not "fix" your Task Manager but at least you will know if the Task Manger mechanism works or not (taskmgr.exe still will not launch as it should).  If you are trying to remove some malicious software and need to use Task Manager, you can just launch (double click) jose.exe instead, but your system will still be infected.

That was a typo I meant diskmgmt.msc

Yes you run it using the run command.

Your first step will be to make sure you can't infect your second computer.

1. In your second computer use the run command to run: services.msc
2. Scroll down to "Shell Hardware Detection"
3. Double click "Shell Hardware Detection" and set "startup type" to disabled and click "Stop" if it is running.

**Shell hardware detection starts a program when your insert a cd, usb stick, or other media, but in order to start the program it reads a file on the usb stick, cd, etc which can actually contain a virus, causing a virus to infect your computer when you insert the media.**

Your second computer is now safe.

4. Download autoruns by sysinternals.
5. Extract and open the program, then in the program click Options, Filter Options. Clear any filters.
6. After scanning completes, click File, Save.... Save the log some place convenient.
7. Email the log to my email address which can be found on my profile here.

**This program lists all of the programs that start up with your computer. Using the log I can identify any malware you have on your computer and write up a script that will remove any malware I find.**

-Alex

Alex - I already transferred most of my important doc and fotos last night, You are too Late on this one. I do not really comprehend your first sentence.

YOU Are really confusing me and my computer is getting EXTREMELY SLOW NOW,  it takes a minute to just bring up my google home page, online.

About my 2nd computer - too late most likely.

Please read your message before you send it or DON"T Send it,

THanks

UPDATE - I booted into safe Mode with networking, logged into my admin account. (computer is noticebly slower), hit Cntrl Alt Del and got the same Error - task manager not starting error "The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000006)"

So while there I ran Spybot S&D - it took a very long time 30 minutes or more. I watched the whole process. When it was scanning for Redirector Hosts -it took a very long time on Virtumonde.sci and .sda sdn and dll. During this scan the fan kicked into highest speed. *57 items in Quarantine.

Rootkit Scan "Found evidence of possible rootkit infection"

.

I did a Deep Rootkit Scan.  Files in System folder = 1 hidden out of 2165 files detected. - hidden files: termcap.

The Hidden file deep scan resulrs showed approx 300 of my old photos I took many years ago - as I recognized the names, but some may have been downloaded. Most fotos were over 5 years ago. Why foto's show up in a Root Kit scan - I have not a clue..

That is all for now.

Capt

That was a typo I meant diskmgmt.msc

Yes you run it using the run command.

Your first step will be to make sure you can't infect your second computer.

1. In your second computer use the run command to run: services.msc
2. Scroll down to "Shell Hardware Detection"
3. Double click "Shell Hardware Detection" and set "startup type" to disabled and click "Stop" if it is running.

**Shell hardware detection starts a program when your insert a cd, usb stick, or other media, but in order to start the program it reads a file on the usb stick, cd, etc which can actually contain a virus, causing a virus to infect your computer when you insert the media.**

Your second computer is now safe.

4. Download autoruns by sysinternals.
5. Extract and open the program, then in the program click Options, Filter Options. Clear any filters.
6. After scanning completes, click File, Save.... Save the log some place convenient.
7. Email the log to my email address which can be found on my profile here.

**This program lists all of the programs that start up with your computer. Using the log I can identify any malware you have on your computer and write up a script that will remove any malware I find.**

-Alex