Program 'either not designed to work on Windows or it contains an error'

[Mr-H]

When I switched on to-day, I got the message that 'C:\PROGRA-1\GOOGLE\GO333C-1\GOE62-1.DLL is either not designed to work on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing again using original media etc. etc.'. The message box was cleared, but then reloaded with a different .exe shown. Eventually I was able to clear and the PC seems to be working OK. However, I'll probably get the same message next time on start-up. Any thoughts on what I should do now?

[Mr-H]

I did not say that this happens every time I try to open a program - in Excel the top message is Excel.exe - Bad Image, for windows mail it is WinMail.exe - Bad Image; and so it goes on.

[ChuckFickens]

try uninstalling the google updater from add remove programs in the control panel. (or programs and features if on vista)

[ChuckFickens]

Oh, OK that's different!

Run a full scan with malwarebytes and with your anti virus software, it's best to do the scans in safe mode.

http://download.cnet....-8022_4-10804572.html

[Mr-H]

Would a full scan with AVG (I have the full paid-for copy rather than just the free download) suffice?

[Mr-H]

As suggested by Chuck, I downloaded the full version of ARO and then ran both it and a full AVG scan. Still the problem exists - something like 30 times as the PC was booting up. Again, after is has completed its Boot-up, to open every other program (Excel, word winmail, media player, Firefox etc. the same happens. Can I simply delete the Google program (which sits in a sub-directory all on its own); what does this program do, what will it stop from working (which I could always reload anyway!)?

[Mr-H]

Another thing I didn't say was that thew 'Date last modified' on this particular file is about 11.30 p.m. last night, which makes me think its only just been received, and that no harm will be caused by a simple deletion.

[Buenchico]

Time to try System Restore possibly?

Boot into Safe Mode (by holding down F8 when your PC starts up), then access System Restore via Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools.

Chris

[Mr-H]

Yesterday the earliest restore date available to me was yesterday's date. Tonight the earliest one is dated today. I need to go back in time to (say) 13 or 14 July, but the question is, HOW? I thought restore dates were available going back some way ........