:cry: I KNOW ENOUGH TO BE DANGEROUS.. I have also been afflicted with the "WINDOWS\ SYSTEM32\ BRIDGE.DLL" "The specified module could not be found" at startup. Seemingly simultaneously I too was involuntarily visiting the golden casino. Per some of the comments in other threads, I tried removing the golden casino Both of those annoyances are not gone. I also ran Norton AntiVirus, it scans everything, nothing found. I also ran the HJT log... here it is if someone can please help me:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 8:36:10 PM, on 6/22/2004
Platform: Windows XP (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2600.0000)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\drivers\CDAC11BA.EXE
C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Utilities\NPROTECT.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~3\SPEEDD~1\nopdb.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\evntsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\fqqshehcc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ptowfq.exe
C:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\w860x.exe
C:\Program Files\Web_Rebates\WebRebates0.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~3\inetmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\NetZero\exec.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~3\inetsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\prio800s.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 4.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
C:\Program Files\Web_Rebates\WebRebates1.exe
C:\Program Files\NetZero\exec.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\WINZIP\winzip32.exe
C:\unzipped\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page =
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page =
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page_bak =
R3 - URLSearchHook: URLSearchHook Class - {37D2CDBF-2AF4-44AA-8113-BD0D2DA3C2B8} - C:\Program Files\NZSearch\SearchEnh2.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {046D6EA4-15E3-4b27-8010-45BD78A9219E} - C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~3\inetkw.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {9C691A33-7DDA-4C2F-BE4C-C176083F35CF} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: ZeroBar - {F5735C15-1FB2-41FE-BA12-242757E69DDE} - C:\Program Files\NetZero\Toolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccRegVfy] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccRegVfy.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\evntsvc.exe -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [raiqrnx] C:\WINDOWS\fqqshehcc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vizlfncxdxe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ptowfq.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [w860x] C:\documents and settings\administrator\local settings\temp\w860x.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RunDLL] rundll32.exe "C:\WINDOWS\System32\bridge.dll",Load
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WebRebates0] "C:\Program Files\Web_Rebates\WebRebates0.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [inetmgr] C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~3\inetmgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [prio800s] C:\WINDOWS\System32\prio800s.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [uoltray] C:\Program Files\NetZero\exec.exe regrun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [spc_w] "C:\Program Files\NZSearch\hcm.exe" -w
O4 - Startup: PowerReg Scheduler.exe
O4 - Global Startup: PowerReg Scheduler.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Acrobat Assistant.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 4.0\Distillr\AcroTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: PowerReg Scheduler V3.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward &Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cac&hed Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Si&milar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Web Rebates - file://C:\Program Files\Web_Rebates\Sy1150\Tp1150\scri1150a.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: AIM (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Real.com (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Dell Home (HKCU)
O16 - DPF: {02BCC737-B171-4746-94C9-0D8A0B2C0089} (Microsoft Office Template and Media Control) - http://office.microsoft.com/templates/ieawsdc.cab
O16 - DPF: {072D3F2E-5FB6-11D3-B461-00C04FA35A21} (CFForm Runtime) - http://www.northeastmedical.org/CFIDE/classes/CFJava.cab
O16 - DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} (Shockwave ActiveX Control) -
O16 - DPF: {2B323CD9-50E3-11D3-9466-00A0C9700498} -
O16 - DPF: {2BC66F54-93A8-11D3-BEB6-00105AA9B6AE} (Symantec AntiVirus scanner) -
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99F7-4BB4-88D8-FA1D4F56A2AB} (YInstStarter Class) - http://download.yahoo.com/dl/installs/yinst0401.cab
O16 - DPF: {41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C} - http://a1540.g.
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) -
O16 - DPF: {7D1E9C49-BD6A-11D3-87A8-009027A35D73} -
O16 - DPF: {86EFAE20-7DBF-11D3-ADAA-00600826D81F} (ClusterUpload2 Package) -
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) -
O16 - DPF: {A17E30C4-A9BA-11D4-8673-60DB54C10000} (YahooYMailTo Class) -
O16 - DPF: {B9191F79-5613-4C76-AA2A-398534BB8999} -
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {E0CE16CB-741C-4B24-8D04-A817856E07F4} (IObjSafety.DemoCtl) -
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{6E9707C1-EDDE-45FB-A4D8-94D88F7EFB79}: NameServer =

Dani AI

Generated

This looks like a classic XP-era adware/toolbar infection that left a broken RunDLL call and a bunch of support artifacts behind. The crash dialog about a missing bridge.dll is just one visible symptom — the HJT material from shows multiple signs of an active browser/homepage hijack and several oddly named startup processes. Removing the one startup entry will stop the boot-time error, but it won’t clean the rest of the infection or any altered system/network settings.

Practical cleanup plan (in order): disconnect the PC from the network, back up personal documents only (do not back up program files or system folders), then boot to Safe Mode. Run a current antivirus full scan, then run an up-to-date anti‑malware/anti‑spyware pass (traditional tools from the era help, and modern scanners are useful too). Use an autorun manager (msconfig or a tool like Autoruns) to disable unknown startup items — pay attention to rundll/rundll32-style entries that point to missing DLLs — then remove the files that placed those entries if they’re clearly malicious. After that, clear temporary files, cookies and the browser cache, remove unwanted toolbars/add‑ons, and check the hosts file and DNS settings for unauthorized changes.

If suspicious processes or files persist, terminate them from Safe Mode and delete them (or scan/remove with a rescue disc). Be cautious deleting anything in System32 — verify signatures/paths before removing. If the machine shows signs of deeper compromise (unknown services, persistent DNS hijacks, or backdoors), the safest remedy is backup of data, full format and clean Windows reinstall, then change all passwords.

As advised, run ad‑spyware scanners and re-scan after fixes; as pointed out, similar threads document the same pattern. Post a fresh HijackThis/Autoruns log after these steps if targeted help is still needed — include the exact remaining startup/process names so removal can be precise.

Recommended Answers

All 6 Replies

To get rid of the specific BRIDGE.DLL error, have HJT fix the following entry:

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RunDLL] rundll32.exe "C:\WINDOWS\System32\bridge.dll",Load

You have a lot of other problems as well; please download and run Ad Aware and SpyBot (instructions in my sig below). Let those programs fix what they find and then post a fresh HJT log.

Also- delete all of the contents of your Temorary Internet folder, the contents of your Recycle Bin, and your cookies.

I am having WINDOWS\System32\Bridge.dll could not be found when I start my computer

What do I need to do to fix this problem WINDOWS\System32\bridge.dll could not be found

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