I’ve found a virus on my computer called sirc32.exe. So I deleted. Ha ha I thought, I’ve beaten you. But now it seems to be associated with the type Application (*.exe). So whenever I try to open an app it says can’t find sirc32.exe and therefore can’t open anything.
So I says to myself lets go to the file types screen and change the association with Applications. But guess what, I won’t let me change it (the edit command button is greyed)!
So (still with me?) how do I change the associations with Application to nothing or whatever it was before, thus enabling me to use my computer again?
I do believe this was a hoax. There was an email going around warning about a “virus” that was in actuality a file needed by Windows. I don’t know about the fix. I believe there was a Pit thread about it a few weeks back, which may have more information.
Best solution is to get the cleaning tool from the page Ell references. But, if you’re feeling brave and want to try it yourself…
Boot in in DOS mode. Copy regedit.exe to regedit.com (this will bypass the “can’t run an exe” problem).
Run windows, run regedit.com, search for any entries with sirc32.exe and remove them.
This is a general method of fixing the problem. Don’t blame me if you accidently remove an important entry. If you’re not sure what you’re doing with the registry, find someone who is.
In this specific case, you’ll also need to remove references to Scmx32.exe and Scam32.exe and then you can search your HD for these files and delete them.
Definitely not a hoax. And it’s also a bitch to clean off–it infects the recycle bin. Luckily the cleaners you can get off the 'net do a good job of wiping it off.
Just don’t open any attachments from people who ask for your advice in broken english…
