bad image on all exe files

[zot69]

I have a dell Inspiron 600m that is having major issues. When you start the system you first get an error message:

service.exe bad image. Application or DLL c:\windows\system32\zowenuri.dll is not a valid windows image. Check against the installation disk

Then in runs through every exe file on the computer and does the same for each. I can't download anything to it either. When I try to load a program I get the error message:

"The server name or address could not be resolved"

I can't copy files to a cd drive cause it doesn't see the disk but it does see the drive. When I try to load a program I get the same error message for that program.

Now it's up but something is running and I can't open anything. When I put the cursor on start all I get is the hour glass. I'm guessing it's now DOA. Other than a big paper weight...   

[evilfantasy]

Have you tried restarting the computer, tap the F8 key over and over until you get to a screen with options. Choose Last Known Good Configuration.

If that doesn't work look here: Avira AntiVir Rescue System

[zot69]

Yeah, tried it first. Now according to the system there is no last know good configuration. I'll try the link you show and see what it does.

Thanks

[zot69]

Tried to boot using the Avira AntiVir rescue system and computer wouldn't start.

Error message is No bootable devices.

We disabled everything but the CD drive and I'm guessing it's not seeing it.

[evilfantasy]

You need to change your boot order in BIOS.

When your computer is first turned on, before windows starts, you should see a message that says to press a certain key to enter setup. It is usually an Fkey or esc or del. Pay attention, as the message may flash very quickly.

Once you get into setup, you want to look for BOOT ORDER or BOOT SEQUENCE or maybe even just BOOT. Set you CD drive as the first boot device and then place the CD in the master CD drive.

Now exit setup and SAVE changes.
When it starts back up, you may see a message that says: Press any key to boot to CD. Just keep tapping the space bar as the computer starts up.

[zot69]

Still won't boot from the CD drive. I moved the CD to the top of the list, left everything else on and it started normally. Disabled the other drives and got the error message no bootable devices.

Correction:

Now it's trying to read the CD and I get the following:

PXE-E1: media test failure, check cable
PXE-M0F: exiting broadcom PXE ROM
Cardbus NIC boot failed

No bootable devices

[evilfantasy]

I'm not the best at advising on this issue. You might try posting in the Windows forum about booting with a rescue CD. Sorry, my specialty is malware removal. I wouldn't want to give bad advice and make things worse...

[zot69]

Thanks for the help. At this point I don't think there's anything you could do to mess it up...   

[BC_Programmer]

If it's reassuring at all- the machine is 100% fixable... barring hardware problems. Worst case scenario being a reinstall.

[zot69]

Just an update. We finally got the Avira AntiVir rescue to load and run. It's chugging along as we speak. Once it's done what's the next step?   

[evilfantasy]

Let us know what problems are still there.

[zot69]

Everything. All it pulled up was 5 warnings

[evilfantasy]

Can you download and run anything?

And do you have your install CD?