Boot up on XP Error

[sft42]

I keep getting the following error on reboot on my XP o/s:

16 bit MS-DOS Subsystem

C:\WINDOWS\system32\updater.exe

The NTVDM CPU has encoutered an illegal instruction.

CS:0fa4 IP:fffd OP:ff a4 00 00 Choose 'Close' to terminate the application.

Can anyone shed any light onto how to stop this? It's obviously not an important app as the system runs fine...as far as I can find out this seems to be usually an upgrade to XP issue after having previously installed programs but I have done nothign like that.......any ideas?

P.S. I have googled without much joy.

[Dave Potts]

Just a suggestion sft but try running an online diagnostic at http://www.pcpitstop.com/ - it might be able to identify the problem and provide a quick 'fix'. I've been very impressed by what I've seen there. Good luck!

[mac309]

Have you tried to restore to a previous check point, before this error occured? To do this use SYSTEM RESTORE in the SYSTEM TOOLS folder.

[sft42]

Yes....have tried loads of various solutions but due to a downloader trojan I was forced to clear out my system restore history where it was hiding so am now left bereft of restore points......BTW thanks for the site Dave...it didn't fix the problem but that's not a bad little site.