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The error "fash.exe failed to start" is a probably a form of spyware/malware and can be fixed and prevented with a spyware scanner.

I keep getting the error 'fash.exe failed to start ...' - how do I stop it?

That appears to be some form of spyware/malware. I'd recommend downloading and running a spyware scanner.

Article C2023 - June 11, 2004

Leo Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed. After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.

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Leo - I am also getting a call for fash.exe when I boot. I am running Aluria Sofware Spyscanner which seemed to catch many more spy items than any other scanner I've tried. The secondary search windows I was getting have disappeared but there still seems to be some reference. It appears that Fash.exe and aqadcup.exe are being called at startup - and both are looking for 2ndsrch.dll which no longer exists - hence the error message when I boot. How do I get rid of these references?

Posted by: Bo at July 11, 2004 6:52 PM

My initial reaction would be to try another scanner, because incomplete manual removal often results in the thing coming back. However, you can certainly treat it as a simple start up problem. This article http://ask-leo.com/archives/000025.html talks about Windows start up and the tools you might use to examine, and disable, things that auto-load.

Posted by: Leo at July 11, 2004 6:56 PM

I found that FASH.EXE message @startup on a clients computer. Annoying, yes. It's apparently the result of an uninstalled program. Could even be uninstalled spyware. Either way, The registered version of Spysweeper and Advanced Optimizer will get rid of it. Seeing as it mentions that it cannot find an application associated with it points me to the registry. The registry key for it is still there and is looking for the program which is no longer there. Advanced Optimizer will take care of that.

Posted by: A at July 14, 2004 3:37 AM

I have some .exe files in my msconfig and don't know what they are, could you help.

amee.exe
Gdy5.exe
rizzawp.exe
ojghil.exe
stgz.exe

Posted by: ron at July 19, 2004 2:51 PM

feels like spyware. Get and run a spyware scanner and see how much that cleans up. Recommendations here: http://recommend.pugetsoundsoftware.com

Posted by: Leo at July 19, 2004 3:02 PM
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