Whenever I start computer, the system 32 folder opens on my desktop. While merely annoying in itself, I'm concerned that this is indicative of, or will lead to, more serious problems. In the past, I have dealt with this problem by doing a quick restore, but the problem comes back periodically, and this last time I procrastinated, and all of my restore points before about a week ago are apparently corrupt (I get a restore incomplete message when I try). So I've been trying to fix the problem directly. Microsoft's advice looks difficult and risky. Google brought me to this site, where I saw a post by Bear referring someone with a similar problem to a KellysKorner fix, but when I tried this fix, I got an error message saying that the script could not run because the "expected registry value was not found." Can anyone help me fix the problem, and what does it meant that the problem comes back periodically. Thanks so much.

Is this the microsoft page you mention?

System32 Folder Opens When Logging on to Windows XP, Windows 2000, or Windows NT 4.0

As long as you back up your registry before editing you should have no problems.

Do you have a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 sound card?

Here is a general google

The recurring nature as well as the restore problem are indicative of possible malware. You might want to follow all of Owen's instructions HERE once you have completed that post your log on the Spyware, Adware and Viruses board.

Thanks for the response. But I'm pretty technically clueless. I don't know how to back up my registry, whatever that is. And I don't know how to run regedit, or whatever it is, and I don't really understand the instructions about what to do when you run it. So I guess I'm looking for a downloadable fix that will do it for me, unless someone wants to walk me through the Microsoft process. Very interested in your hypothesis of malware. Probably not too much point in working on the system 32 thing until I do what you propose. I hope it's easy. Thanks a lot. And re: that soundcard question, I don't think so. I believe I have Turtle Beach Santa Cruz soundcard, but why would that matter?

this issue has been linked to the sound card; as seen in most of those google links.

if kelly's korner didnt work for you then you probably have to fix it manually.

it's not a big deal if you want to go thru it.

owen's page is pretty straight forward as to the malware "tests"

Thanks. Well I guess I better try or I will have wasted a bunch of time for nothing. What do you advise doing first, the malware tests or the manual fix. If the former, I'll get back to you when I finish them or when I have difficulty. If the latter, perhaps you could elucidate the Microsoft instructions for a technically clueless dummy. Thanks

You might as well follow Owen's post & get your Log posted in the spyware section.

In the meantime I will type up some instructions for the regedit.