OLEXP: Dial-up Networking Dialog Box Appears Repeatedly at Computer Startup (306068)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 2000
This article was previously published under Q306068
For information about the differences between Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Outlook Express e-mail clients, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

257824 OL2000: Differences Between Outlook and Outlook Express

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you log on to a computer that runs Microsoft Windows 2000 and that is configured for Outlook Express, the Dial-Up Networking dialog box may appear after the system files and program files are loaded. When you try to close this dialog box, the dialog box keeps reappearing, approximately every 40 seconds.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the computer is infected with the Pretty Park virus.

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To resolve this behavior, edit the registry to remove all references to Files32.vxd:
  1. Click Start, and then click Run.
  2. In the Open box, type Regedt32.exe, and then click OK to start Registry Editor.
  3. Locate the <NO NAME> value under the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Exefile\Shell\Open\Command

  4. Double-click the following registry string value:

    <NO NAME>: REG_SZ: "files32.vxd" "%1" %*

  5. In the String box, remove "Files32.vxd" from the string. The correct string for this value is:

    "%1" %*

    When you remove "Files32.vxd" from this string value, be careful not to leave any spaces within the value itself other than the space between "%1" and %*. Extra spaces may generate a message, "Windows cannot find .exe," when you try to run an .exe file.

  6. Locate the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Exefile\Shell\Open\Command

    If this registry key contains any references to Files32.vxd, you must also modify this registry key to remove "Files32.vxd". This instance of Files32.vxd causes the Files32.vxd file to run when any .exe file runs.

  7. Click OK, and then quit Registry Editor.
  8. Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
  9. In the Search for files or folders named box, type files32.vxd, and then click Search Now.
  10. In the Search Results pane, right-click the Files32.vxd file, and then click Delete.
NOTE: The Files32.vxd file is not a Windows file and does not reside on Windows media.

MORE INFORMATION

In most cases, on a computer that is infected with the Pretty Park virus, users are able to see icons when the computer starts in Normal mode. However, in some cases, the desktop does not display any icons.

The Pretty Park virus also tries to automatically mail itself every 30 minutes to all of the e-mail addresses in your address book. Newer versions of the virus attempt to mail more frequently, and they also force a dial-up connection to start if Outlook Express is set to automatically dial connections.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/29/2004
Keywords:kbenv kbprb kbui KB306068
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.