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..

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.

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.

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...