Themed32.dll was not found? please help

[amg]

Hi there,

the other day I ran malwarebytes, i updated it before i ran it (as i always do) and it found about 5 suspect things which it deleted and it asked me to restart the computer which i did but on restarting my computer a message came up saying ''themed32.dll was not found'' and now my computer only loads up to the wallpaper but no desktop icons or start menu is visible. i read all the other topics on this matter but the thing is my computer wont start in any of the safe modes so i have no idea what to really do now

Any information would be greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello amg and welcome to Malwarebytes forums.

Please state explicitly your Windows version/edition and also if you have your Windows CD/DVD for this system.

P.S. See if you can start Task Manager by pressing & holding CTRL-key, then press & hold ALT-key, then press DELete key. Let me know.

[amg]

hi, im using windows xp and yh im pretty sure i have the cd somewhere. i am able to start the task manager

[Maurice Naggar]

Hello amg.

I want you to locate your Windows XP o.s. CD and tell me what the label reads on it. We will likely need to use this CD at some point, maybe very soon.

One of the things I need to know is: if this is a retail Microsoft CD, or if it is from an OEM factory (like Dell or HP, etc) OR it is just a "Recovery CD" or a "Restore CD".

Today is a good day to work on these issues, so hang with me and keep checking this "channel" frequently.

You will want to print out or copy these instructions to Notepad for offline reference!

If you are a casual viewer, do NOT try this on your system!

If you are not amg and have a similar problem, do NOT post here; start your own topic

Do not run or start any other programs while these utilities and tools are in use!

Do NOT run any other tools on your own or do any fixes other than what is listed here.

If you have questions, please ask before you do something on your own.

But it is important that you get going on these following steps.

=

Close any of your open programs while you run these tools.

DO as much as possible of the following. Provide all details, as appropos, in case something does not work.

If in these processes you cannot download on this system, then use a clean pc to do downloads and save & burn to CD/DVD or copy to a Clean (unused) thumb-flash-USB drive.

When you have Task Manager started, see if you can use (from its menu) File, then New Task (Run) to start programs.

First, one, start EXPLORER.EXE

does that get your Taskbar and Start menu visible? If so great !!

As you need below, to start Internet Explorer, use Task Manager > New Task > enter IEXPLORE.EXE

Once haing started IE, do this fix:

Disable the options "Automatically detect settings" and "Use automatic configuration script."

To do this:

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Click "Tools," and then click "Internet Options."

3. Click "Connections," and then click "LAN Settings."

4. Make sure the check boxes for "Automatically detect settings" and "Use automatic configuration script" are not selected.

5. Apply changes & OK

Step 2

1. Go >> Here << and download ERUNT

(ERUNT (Emergency Recovery Utility NT) is a free program that allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed.)

2. Install ERUNT by following the prompts

(use the default install settings but say no to the portion that asks you to add ERUNT to the start-up folder, if you like you can enable this option later)

3. Start ERUNT

(either by double clicking on the desktop icon or choosing to start the program at the end of the setup)

4. Choose a location for the backup

(the default location is C:\WINDOWS\ERDNT which is acceptable).

5. Make sure that at least the first two check boxes are ticked

6. Press OK

7. Press YES to create the folder.

Step 3

Set Windows to show all files and all folders.

On your Desktop, double click My Computer, from the menu options, select tools, then Folder Options, and then select VIEW Tab and look at all of settings listed.

"CHECK" (turn on) Display the contents of system folders.

Under column, Hidden files and folders----choose ( *select* ) Show hidden files and folders.

Next, un-check Hide extensions for known file types.

Next un-check Hide protected operating system files.

Step 4

Download & SAVE OTL by OldTimer to your desktop from one of the following links: Link1 or

Link2

• Close all open windows on the Task Bar. Double-click OTL.com (for Vista, right click the icon and Run as Administrator) to start the program.
  
• In the lower right corner of the Top Panel, checkmark "LOP Check" and checkmark "Purity Check".
  
• Now click Run Scan at Top left and let the program run uninterrupted. It will take about 4 minutes.
  
• It will produce two logs for you, one will pop up called OTL.txt, the other will be saved on your desktop and called Extras.txt.
  
• Exit Notepad. Remember where you've saved these 2 files as we will need both of them shortly!
  
• Exit OTL by clicking the X at top right.
  

Download Security Check by screen317 and save it to your Desktop: here or here

• Run Security Check
  
• Follow the onscreen instructions inside of the command window.
  
• A Notepad document should open automatically called checkup.txt; close Notepad. We will need this log, too, so remember where you've saved it!
  

If one of your security applications (e.g., third-party firewall) requests permission to allow DIG.EXE access the Internet, allow it to do so.

Then copy/paste the following into your post (in order):

• the contents of OTL.txt
  
• the contents of Extras.txt
  
• the contents of checkup.txt
  

Be sure to do a Preview prior to pressing Submit because all reports may not fit into 1 single reply. You may have to do more than 1 reply.

Do not use the attachment feature to place any of your reports. Always put them in-line inside the body of reply.

[amg]

im getting stuck at step 3, i cant run EXPLORER.EXE in the task manager, it just keeps saying:

explorer.exe - unable to locate component

This application has failed to start because themed32.dll was not found. Re-installing this application may fix this problem

[Maurice Naggar]

Proceed forward to next step, please. Get OTL.COM and my intent is for you to execute it via Task Manager >New Task >Run

[screen317]

Due to the lack of feedback this topic is closed to prevent others from posting here. If you need this topic reopened, please send a Private Message to any one of the moderating team members. Please include a link to this thread with your request. This applies only to the originator of this thread.

Other members who need assistance please start your own topic in a new thread. Thanks!