USB troubles

[max ping]

i've stated getting C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\USB.EXE error messages during game and also when my computer is idle. slikkster recommended spybot search&destoy. got it, ran it, still happens. the message also states that a file appears to be corrupt. that i should reinstall it. install what? is this something on the windows disk, or should i reinstall something else?

thx

max

[Slikkster]

Max,  

Click your Start button.  Then, click "Run".  A box will come up that you can type in.  Type in (without quotation marks) "msconfig".  Click "OK".

Now, you will see a box come up with tabs at the top.  The box will be titled "System Configuration Utility".  The tab on the right will be labled "Startup".  Click that.

Now, you will see a list of items in a box, probably all with checkmarks next to them (which means they are all running when the Windows starts).

Look down the list for anything which has the path you are describing; I mean the path "c:\Windows\System\usb.exe"  You may have to drag the scrollbar over to the right to see the whole path.

If you see any item with that exact path, click on the checkbox next to the item to remove the checkmark.

Then, click the "Apply" button on the bottom.  Then, click the "OK" button.

You will be prompted to reboot your computer.  Do that.

If you'd like to see exactly what I'm talking about (although this example does not deal with usb.exe, but shows you the process nevertheless), go here and look at this site.  It will show you what to expect to see in the msconfig box.

http://www.nwktc.org/tutorials/msconfig.html

[max ping]

slikk,

did as you said, it wasn't there. i don't remember if there was a disk to load for this mouse(wireless), if so im gonna try reloading it. as far as i know thats all that uses said port

thx
 max

p.s. found the other servers! ought spend more time on the forum

[Slikkster]

Max,

Go your Windows\System folder and find "usb.exe".  To see it, you might need to set Windows Explorer (not Internet Explorer, but Windows Explorer) to show all hidden and system files.

Once you find usb.exe, RIGHT-CLICK on the filename.  A menu will come up.  Left-click on "Properties".  Another box will come up.  Click on "Version" and look in the box at the various entries for Version to see who the "Company" is that created the file.  That will give you more of a heads up as to whether it's a true Microsoft file, or maybe some other company, like Logitech, etc.  That will help a lot in figuring out how to fix the problem.

[max ping]

Slikkster,

well, call me a fool, but i was unable to find it. i did however see it. i was running file checker and saw it, don't ak how but instead of right clicking i left clicked...and to make a long story short, i lost it. tried to repeat steps and never could find it again. got close during this process to throwing computer off back deck! i also tried to retrieve the file from disk. the computer says its an older version, huh, don't know how that can be. a friend gave me a copy of m.e., thought i could get it from that source, but it said the file was not there. is there a sight that you know of to get the file?...should i even be trying to get it yet?

thx
max

[Slikkster]

Max, you need to set Windows Explorer to "show all files".  The reason you can't find it is because Windows is probably hiding it from you by default.

Follow instructions on this page, then after you do what it says, do another search for usb.exe.  Make sure in the search box that you have it set to search your entire c: drive.  Sometimes the search will default to only searching your "My Documents" folder.  That won't do.  You need it to search the entire drive.  

http://www.windows-help.net/windows98/start-17.shtml  

Above will tell you how to set Windows Explorer to show all files.

[max ping]

Slikkster,

even with those things applied(actually they were already set to read files that way) i could not locate it. i found it by using "find files". the location was listed as C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM but it says it was created oct. 01, 2004. sounds fishy. when i tried to left click it from find files it brought up the corrupt file tag cannot run a command on it

max

[Slikkster]

Max, something to remember about Windows:

Right-clicking always gives options, like menus of choices.  

Left-clicking is telling Windows you want to run a program.

Find that file, and RIGHT-CLICK on it.  Then, when the menu of options
comes up, LEFT-CLICK on the PROPERTIES option in the menu to "run" the Properties program.  Then, when the Properties box appears,
LEFT-CLICK on "Version".  

Look for "Company" in that list and see who created the file.

The file date of October 1 shouldn't be of too much concern.  That really isn't telling you much.  It could have been the last time the file tried to run, or, if it truly is corrupted, the date the corruption occured.  It's not necessarily the date the file was put in your system.  

By the way, by RIGHT-CLICKING on the filename, you'll see other options, like Remove (or delete), and Rename.  

I would try the Rename option.  If it lets you rename the file, rename it from "usb.exe" to "usb.old".   A warning will appear about changing filename extensions.  Just click OK that you still want to change the file extension (from .exe to .old).   Reboot after the change is accomplished.

See if the error is gone.

Now, by renaming this file, you may get an error at startup that "Windows could not find a file" or words to that effect, meaning that it's still looking for usb.exe.  We can deal with that if it happens.

[applejacks]

did you check your device managler i mean manager. right click on my computer and click on manage
then click on Device mangaer check to see if you have any splats. or your usb is X or ! out
or anything else in there

[max ping]

Slikkster,

never got the version, when i right clicked on it, i only got the general tab.i decided to strike out on my own and continue on. i renamed it as you suggested. rebooted with no messages. i had to leave home but before i left i checked cuz my screen saver had brought up the corrupt file message, or atleast the transition to it, it all seems good. find out more when i get home and do some computing.

aj,
 
hopefully this worked. i had checked what you said and there was nothing.

thx for the help!

max

[max ping]

home, played, seems to have worked.
thanks slikk!

max

[Slikkster]

Awesome, Max.  Glad to help.  Now remember, your job is to never frag me in a game, lol.