About every 2 to 3 minutes I get a pop up message that freezes the
screen until I say ok. APPA3A3.TMPfile is linked to missing export
SHELL32.DLL:SHGetFolderPathA. How do I correct this

---

Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 14 Nov 2003 16:02 PST

tonytray...

APPA3A3 returns no results in a Google search. It seems safe
to assume that you can delete this file without loss of anything
of use. It's also possible that this file is part of a trojan or
spyware. If you are unable to delete it, due to its being in use,
try rebooting into safe mode and delete it that way. Once it's
gone, I'd strongly suggest running a virus scan on your entire
system. If you have no antivirus software, use a free online 
service, such as:

Bit Defender:  
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/licence.php  
  
Trend Micro:  
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp


You may also benefit by downloading and running the  
following three programs which search out malicious adware, 
spyware and BHOs, or Browser Helper Objects: 
 
Ad-Aware: 
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/ 
 
Spybot Search & Destroy: 
http://spybot.eon.net.au/ 
 
BHODemon: 
http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm 


You may also need to ascertain that the necessary Windows
file, shell32.dll, exists in its proper location in:
C:\Windows\System\
but if you cease getting the error popup, and everything
seems to be working, this may not be a problem.


Let me know where this leaves you in regard to the problem.
Since this may be a complex computer problem, and I don't
have access to your computer, resolving it may require some
back and forth dialog, requiring you to post clarifications
of your situation until it is resolved.

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

Once the situation is resolved, I will post an official
answer, if I have been helpful in resolving it.

sublime1-ga

---

Clarification of Question by tonytray-ga on 14 Nov 2003 21:12 PST

It took a while but I was able to find the file and delete it and so
far have had no further problems. Thanks for the  help.

tonytray...

Given the apparent resolution of your problem, I'll
re-post the information I gave you as an official
answer. It's not clear from your response whether 
you ran a virus scan or installed and ran the 
programs I recommended for rooting out malicious
spyware and adware, but I would strongly encourage
you to utilize these options, given the considerable
benefits to your system, and the fact that they are
all free options.

If the problem recurs, or if you have questions 
about the programs I recommended, let me know.

----------------------------------------------------------

APPA3A3 returns no results in a Google search. It seems safe 
to assume that you can delete this file without loss of anything 
of use. It's also possible that this file is part of a trojan or 
spyware. If you are unable to delete it, due to its being in use, 
try rebooting into safe mode and delete it that way. Once it's 
gone, I'd strongly suggest running a virus scan on your entire 
system. If you have no antivirus software, use a free online  
service, such as: 
 
Bit Defender:   
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/licence.php   
   
Trend Micro:   
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp 
 
 
You may also benefit by downloading and running the   
following three programs which search out malicious adware,  
spyware and BHOs, or Browser Helper Objects:  
  
Ad-Aware:  
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/  
  
Spybot Search & Destroy:  
http://spybot.eon.net.au/  
  
BHODemon:  
http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm  
 
 
You may also need to ascertain that the necessary Windows 
file, shell32.dll, exists in its proper location in: 
C:\Windows\System\ 
but if you cease getting the error popup, and everything 
seems to be working, this may not be a 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.

sublime1-ga

Good answer for the difficulty of the question. Also gave some
preventative suggestions, some of which I already do. Thank you.