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Q: Computer freezing Winmgr ( Answered,   2 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Computer freezing Winmgr
Category: Computers > Operating Systems
Asked by: holmanjon-ga
List Price: $10.00
Posted: 01 Oct 2003 16:54 PDT
Expires: 31 Oct 2003 15:54 PST
Question ID: 262016
My computer keeps freezing and it seems to be related to something
called Winmgr.  Do you know how I can fix this?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Computer freezing Winmgr
Answered By: sublime1-ga on 29 Oct 2003 12:40 PST
 
holmanjon...

This appears to be a worm. A user on the GTA Extreme bulletin board,
named 'asif', reported the same problem on the following page.

"...in my task manager there's a program called 'winmgr32' that's
 '(not responding)'. I don't remember seeing this running before,
 ever. And this will sometimes crash my comp or it'll not respond
 quite harmlessly until I shut down when I'll just get the usual
 'wait end task cancel' option.":
http://forum.gtaxtreme.com/index.php?s=d8bcb57628e561257a49c3e3e1623f60&showtopic=412

Later in the same thread, he notes:

"This isn't good. I looked at the msconfig startup tab and winmgm
 is actually in my windows folder! It's Winmgm32.exe..."

This is a little confusing, but it sounds like the program is listed
in Task Manager as 'winmgr32', but is the result of a file called
'Winmgm32.exe'. That filename is associated with an email worm called
'I-Worm.Sobig.a' in the Virus Encyclopedia:
http://www.viruslist.com/eng/viruslist.html?id=58906

Then again, there is a file named 'winmgr32.exe' that is associated
with another email worm called 'W32/Pimpol' on the Sophos antivirus
site:

"W32/Pimpol is an email aware worm. When run it will copy itself to
 C:\windows\winmgr32.exe."
http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/w32pimpol.html


Whether the filename is 'winmgr32.exe' or 'winmgm32.exe', I would
recommend following rainmantr-ga's suggestion of going to 
start -> run, type 'msconfig' without quotes, and hit Enter.
Then look for either of these names under the Startup tab of that
program, and uncheck it. You can also go to the Startup folder
at one of the following locations, depending on your operating
system, and delete the shortcut to the program there:

C:\Windows\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp\
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\

You can then try rebooting and deleting 'winmgr32.exe' or 
'winmgm32.exe' from your Windows directory, using Windows
Explorer. A search of the registry, also suggested by 
rainmntr-ga, would be another good idea, but if you are
unfamiliar with editing the registry, you might ask for 
help from a friend who is comfortable with doing this.

I would also strongly recommend going to a free online
virus scan such as:

Bit Defender:
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/licence.php

Trend Micro:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp


Since this is a potentially complex problem with your 
computer, and I don't have hands-on access to it, it 
may be necessary to resolve it in steps, requiring an
exchange of feedback before the problem is completely
resolved. However, I believe I've supplied you with all
you need to know to resolve the problem.

Please do not rate this answer until you are satisfied that  
the answer cannot be improved upon by means of a dialog  
established through the "Request for Clarification" process. 
 
A user's guide on this topic is on skermit-ga's site, here: 
http://www.christopherwu.net/google_answers/answer_guide.html#how_clarify
 
sublime1-ga


Searches done, via Google:

winmgr
://www.google.com/search?q=winmgr

virus winmgr32
://www.google.com/search?q=virus+winmgr32

winmgr32
://www.google.com/search?q=winmgr32

Winmgm32.exe
://www.google.com/search?q=Winmgm32.exe
Comments  
Subject: Re: Computer freezing Winmgr
From: mvguy-ga on 02 Oct 2003 06:34 PDT
 
When something like that happens, usually the best thing you can do is
backup all your data and reinstall the operating system. If things
continue to lock up, then you probably have a hardware problem.
Subject: Re: Computer freezing Winmgr
From: rainmantr-ga on 29 Oct 2003 10:22 PST
 
It does not seem to be an offical program. 
To prevent it running, you can uninstall it from add/remove programs
in control panel. If there is no such program listed, it should be in
startup.
start -> run -> msconfig 
in the startup tab , find and uncheck winmgr.
Alternatively, you can search hard drive and registry to find and
delete any winmgr exists in the computer. (For registry search; start
-> run -> regedit and in the menu bar edit->find )

After you have deleted or changed the system, then reboot the
computer.

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