When I open windows XP I have just started getting an error that says
"Dyntopat32.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close". What is this file used for and how do I get rid of the error message??

Very strange........... google found nothing at all.

I can't find it either. I searched my machine & I don't have it.

Run a search on your machine & see where it shows up. (may have to go to safe mode)

Also what happens when you click that "show details" button?

Also go to start > run > msconfig
then Startup. Look to see if it is listed in your startup list. uncheck it if it is.

There are other places to look if it isnt there, let us know.

I have found the file in my windows/system32 sub-directory(as per screen shot below). Any ideas on what to do next?

Any new software that would coicide with this?

Does Dyntopat resemble any program that you run?

It is very strange that there is absolutly no finds for this

As a temporary "test" you could delete those files (if they let you) & see if it changes anything. They will be sent to your recycling bin in case you want them back.

Fixed it thanks... followed your advise and ran msconfig. Unticked the dynopat32.exe box and problem solved..