[Tarfu]

Ok, hope you guys can help. First.. running xp with sp2, norton systemworks premier 2006, licensed version of ad-aware by lavasoft, microsofts defender. One of them caught a malware trying to install and I had the program stop and remove. Now, whenever I start up, I get a 'winlogon.exe has failed to start. -AZ.dll could not be found. There is a square symbol between the - and the A, I just can't get it to replicate. This same file message comes up every now and then on other files, but program still runs. I also have System mechanic 6. Even in safe mode, nortons nor lavasoft nor defender fines anything. Winlogon still runs. Any idea what file is corrupted, or where I can find the thread. Nothing in regedit either. Thanks.. no one else has any idea except 'start from scratch'.. ugh.. and no.. Can't restore to previous point either.. dang it..

[LTheobald]

Hmmm sounds like the spyware that was being installed wasn't dealt with completely. I'd try ensuring you have the latest definitions for Ad-Aware, then try restarting in Safe Mode. Run a spyware scan there and see if it picks anything else up. You'll often find running a spyware scan in safe mode will pick up more than it does in regular mode.

[Curlyben]

As well as LT's excllent advice it may also be worth trying another Anti Spyware App such as Spybot S&D.
Like Anti Virus apps Anti Spyware apps scan in different ways from each other.
So a second, or in this case third option is always worth trying.

There has been a lot of testing of Anti spyware apps and it has been found that one of the best combos to use is Adaware and Spybot together.

[Tarfu]

Great.. thanks guys.. I sort of figured it was looking for the virus file but couldn't find it.. will download spybot and give it a go as well.. it definitely can't hurt things... the more protection the merrier I guess...