Explorer errors out & closes

[melb100]

I have several problems. I am assuming, hoping that maybe they are all related. I am using an upgraded version of Windows ME, upgraded from Windows 98. I get an error message when windows first opens. It says: Error loading 2ndsrch.dll. An attempt was made to load a program with an incorrect format.

Also, I am unable to open Microsoft Outlook Express. It errors and says that the program generated an error in "unknown". I can't open msconfig. It states that the configurations have been changed. I can't open several items in the control panel. Same error with the other applications, as with Outlook. An error generated in "unknown". I can use my install and uninstall wizard either.

Help?? Anyone?

I have updated my Norton and checked for viruses.

[Lyndymarie]

Program Characteristics
This potentially unwanted program is responsible for downloading and installing the Adware-SSF.dr trojan (ttps.exe), which installs the Adware-SSF application.
This adware program is designed to act as a search page replacement to deliver targeted advertisements to its users based on search queries and URLs visited. There are multiple versions of this program.

SbSrch_V2.dll version
This version may be installed by an executable name sub2_1C.exe in the WINDOWS SYSTEM directory. It creates the following registry association with the program:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SubSrch_V2.clsDockWindow
The following websites are associated with this program:
http://www.popunder.info
http://www.cpcads.com
SbSrch_V22.dll version
This version may be installed by an executable name sub2b.exe in the WINDOWS SYSTEM directory. It creates the following registry association with the program:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SubSrch_V2_2.clsDockWindow
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VB and VBA Program Settings\IeMsnSbSrch_2
The following websites are associated with this program:
http://www.popunder.info
http://www.cpcads.com
http://www.top-search.com
http://www.fastfind.org
http://partner.ah-ha.com
Uninstall functionality is created with this version. Modified registry keys are stored in the file backup.reg in the WINDOWS SYSTEM directory, and the file restore.exe is also created for uninstallation support.
Symptoms
N/A This is not a virus.
Removal Instructions
Manual Removal
Removal requires unregistering the DLL associated with the adware.
Click START | RUN
Type regsvr32 /u sbsrch_v2.dll and hit ENTER
Click START | RUN
Type regsvr32 /u sbsrch_v22.dll and hit ENTER
Reboot the computer
Delete the sbsrch_v2.dll and/or sbsrch_v22.dll files from the WINDOWS SYSTEM directory (%WinDir%\System or %WinDir%\System32)
For VirusScan 4.x users who would like to detect this program on their system

[melb100]

Well, I followed your instructions, I also downloaded and ran ad-aware & spybot which found lots of stuff. And I am no longer having the problem with my browser being hacked. But, I still have the problem with the "Error in unknown". Sometimes it happens with Explorer, sometimes with Outlook, sometimes with control panel. Sometimes all runs ok and other times not.
Any ideas?
Oh and I am also getting another error message too sometimes. User32.dll error?

[DMR]

I still have the problem with the "Error in unknown".... Oh and I am also getting another error message too sometimes. User32.dll error?

Please give us the full and exact text of the errors, including any numeric codes that might be in the error dialogs.