Advice needed to install a registry and dll file.

[OM]

I'm having problems getting a program to work.
I've found off the internet a helpfile that claims to solve my
problems.
The solution involves activating a registry file and placing a dll file
in a specific directory.

I've virus checked both files... and nothing.

I've looked inside the registry file with notepad, all I can see is
numbers and letters.
I've tried opening the dll file with notepad and all I can see is junk.
(Erm... yes you've guessed it... a newbie when it comes to these
things...!)

Can someone tell me:

- Is it dangerous to install the registry file?
- How can I make sure the dll file isn't a virus?

Thanks.


OM

 

[Art]

I'm having problems getting a program to work.
I've found off the internet a helpfile that claims to solve my
problems.
The solution involves activating a registry file and placing a dll file
in a specific directory.

I've virus checked both files... and nothing.

I've looked inside the registry file with notepad, all I can see is
numbers and letters.
I've tried opening the dll file with notepad and all I can see is junk.
(Erm... yes you've guessed it... a newbie when it comes to these
things...!)

Can someone tell me:

- Is it dangerous to install the registry file?

Since you don't know what you're doing it is.

- How can I make sure the dll file isn't a virus?

The only ways to make sure are to analyze it yourself if you know how
or to send it a antivirus vendor for analysis. You can upload the file
here:

http://www.virustotal.com/flash/index_en.html

where a number of different av products will scan the file. If none
alert, you still don't know for sure but you might take a chance
depending on the reliability and trustworthiness of the source of
the file.

Maybe if you gave us more details including the url of the web site
we could help further.

Art

http://home.epix.net/~artnpeg
Free antivirus:
http://www.ik-cs.com/programs/virtools/KASFX.EXE
http://www.claymania.com/KASFX.EXE
http://tinyurl.com/azzkc

 

[Roger Wilco]

I'm having problems getting a program to work.

What program - is it a secret?

I've found off the internet a helpfile that claims to solve my
problems.

Another secret?

The solution involves activating a registry file and placing a dll file
in a specific directory.

Why so vague?
What do you mean by "activating a registry file" - is this a registry
patch (something.reg)?

I've virus checked both files... and nothing.

The dll could be an executable file and the .reg file should be a text
file fully readable in notepad if you know how to read registry patch
files.

I've looked inside the registry file with notepad, all I can see is
numbers and letters.

The same could be said for this posting. )

I've tried opening the dll file with notepad and all I can see is junk.
(Erm... yes you've guessed it... a newbie when it comes to these
things...!)

This would be expected when attempting to view an executable in notepad.

Can someone tell me:

- Is it dangerous to install the registry file?

Invoking a .reg file will modify registry keys and can be nearly as
dangerous as invoking an executable file. A corrupted registry can leave
you with a totally useless operating system.

- How can I make sure the dll file isn't a virus?

You can't, but scanning the file with several AV scanners (such as are
available at the "virustotal" site) can come close to making you sure.

Keep in mind that viruses aren't the only bad thing out there - if this
is a piracy attempt (trying to use a legitimate ad supported software
sans adware) and someone wanted to trick the pirates into screwing up
their systems by making trojan bombs - the AVs might have little chance
of recognizing them. Only after a large enough number of users fall
victim does the AV community become aware. At least with viruses (and
worms) the number becomes large enough sooner and the ability to defend
gets implemented sooner.

 

[Buffalo]

I'm having problems getting a program to work.
I've found off the internet a helpfile that claims to solve my
problems.
The solution involves activating a registry file and placing a dll file
in a specific directory.

I've virus checked both files... and nothing.

I've looked inside the registry file with notepad, all I can see is
numbers and letters.
I've tried opening the dll file with notepad and all I can see is junk.
(Erm... yes you've guessed it... a newbie when it comes to these
things...!)

Can someone tell me:

- Is it dangerous to install the registry file?
- How can I make sure the dll file isn't a virus?

Thanks.


OM

Is the one file a reg file? Ex: newfile.reg .
If so, rt click on it and choose Edit. This should put it out in readable form.
If you like, post that here (not as a .reg , but as the text file appeared when
you chose Edit).
Also name the program you are 'helping' and the name of the .dll file.
VirusTotal has a very easy method to submit the .dll file in question to them.
(Near the top right of their page).

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "Buffalo" <eric(nospam)@nada.com.invalid>


|
| Is the one file a reg file? Ex: newfile.reg .
| If so, rt click on it and choose Edit. This should put it out in readable form.
| If you like, post that here (not as a .reg , but as the text file appeared when
| you chose Edit).
| Also name the program you are 'helping' and the name of the .dll file.
| VirusTotal has a very easy method to submit the .dll file in question to them.
| (Near the top right of their page).
|

If it is a default format of "Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00" it won't be legible on a
Win9x/ME PC unless it was saved in ASCII. Nor can it be merged on a Win9x/ME PC. It would
have to be a prepared as "REGEDIT4" for Win9x/ME.