[True Bassist]

Hey there people, I've had Vista business version for about 3 months now and h
ave started to experience a problem with the 'smss.exe' application. Here's the situation...
I log-on to my account and i get this error message:
"Desktop
Could not load or run 'C:/Windows/system32/srrgtw/smss.exe' specified in the registery. Make sure the file exists on your computer or remove the referance to it in the registery"
I click on OK and then it pops up for a second time, no differences. Again, I click OK.

Since I have been experiencing this problem I have also been experiencing random crashes which go to a blue screen and then to a system restart. This then goes through the normal "how do you want to start windows..." etc.

I have deleted the file 'smss' in the folder C:\Windows\system32\srrgtw and that folder itself as advised by a friend but the error message still comes up. I have also removed the key in the registry for 'smss' but nothing.

Thanks for any help
Ben

[matt_aj]

Do you have antivirus on your machine? This can be virus related. I would install an AV or go to www.trendmicro.com and run a free scan. Also, what registry key did you delete? There are some that make that run at startup and that is what is causing your error. It is trying to start the program but can't find it. You can also go to msconfig and uncheck it there.

THere is also another windows process with the same name. I can't remember where it is supposed to be located, but I really hope you didn't delete that one on accident. It controls windows sessions.

[Puklo]

You have a virus or a trojan my friend. The legit smss.exe resides in c:\windows\system32 only. The error message came back because the virus/troj checks for the folder, recreates it if deleted and copies it self in it. As suggested run the free scan, disinfect and install a good antivirus progi. My faves are Kaspersky, Bit Defender and Nod32. Hope this helps :-)

[True Bassist]

Hey guys, thanks for all the help.
Found the solution and it was 2 other entries in the registry.
"run" smss.exe
"start" smss.exe

Deleting these solved the problem...and yea, must have got a TH from somewhere

Cheers