Hello Wes,
I tried to run the sfc before. I read about it in one of
the newsgroups here, but was unable to. It didn't say to install the XP cd,
or to type in sfc /scannow in the run box. I typed it in the run/cmd box. It
said it was not recognized. But I did as you wrote, and it seems to have
done the trick. I can access everything through the control panel again. And
I have not seen the rundll error. I even rebooted to make sure it wasn't
there at shutdown. Thank you so much for your help. I wish now that I came
here first, it would have saved me the $99.00 dell charged for the call. (And
gave me no solutions). Thanks again!

"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

> Hi Manny,
>
> Try running System File Checker (sfc.exe).
>
> [[If System File Checker discovers that a protected file has been
> overwritten, it retrieves the correct version of the file from the cache
> folder (%Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache) or the Windows installation source
> files, and then replaces the incorrect file. ]]
> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310747
>
> Load your XP CD in your CD drive.
>
> Start | Run | Typeor paste: sfc /scannow | Click OK
>
> It should take a while to run.
>
> --
> Hope this helps. Let us know.
>
> Wes
> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
>
> In news:3882808A-BDB0-4743-9CD1-7CDBF50FC6AF@microsoft.com,
> Manny Ortiz <MannyOrtiz@discussions.microsoft.com> hunted and pecked:
> > Hello again,
> > Thanks for responding again. I have run my own (McAfee)
> > anti-virus program. It updates automatically. I did a scan with AdAware.
> > I also did a full scan with a Trend Micro house Call (suggested by Dell).
> > No viruses found. Some spyware was found from Trend Micro, which i deleted
> > through that app. rundll32.exe still shows up. I tried the link you gave,
> > but couldn't run the commands advised. Tasklist is not available with XP
> > Home Ed. The WMIC.... was not recognized. It was supposed to give me a
> > process list. Also, through Automatic Updates there is a malware removal
> > tool, which updates monthly. I don't know if I have to manually run that
> > or if its automatic. On the plus side, I did figure a way to change my
> > desktop image, through Dell Expert Image App. But that still doesn't
> > solve the dll32.exe problem. Dell seems to think it's just a faulty dll.
> > Could that be all there is to it?
> > Thanks again.
> >
> > "Wesley Vogel" wrote:
> >
> >> Manny,
> >>
> >> If you're seeing rundll32 errors when shutting down this is a good
> >> indication that you may have spyware or other malware.
> >>
> >> Update your antivirus software and run a full system scan.
> >>
> >> Update whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run scans
> >> with them also.
> >>
> >> Also see this...
> >> What's the suspicious Rundll32.exe process
> >> http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/rundll32.htm
> >>
> >> --
> >> Hope this helps. Let us know.
> >>
> >> Wes
> >> MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
> >>
> >> In news:5E598A51-49E8-4596-952E-CD11DC1EAC62@microsoft.com,
> >> Manny Ortiz <MannyOrtiz@discussions.microsoft.com> hunted and pecked:
> >>> Hi Wesley (or anyone else reading this)
> >>> I have been able to access the display properties
> >>> window. BUT, when I click on desktop tab, it hangs. no response. When
> >>> I exit, I get a "end program" window for rundll32.exe. I have been
> >>> seeing this when I shut down the last few days. But now i see it when
> >>> the display props crash. I have sent the error report to microsoft,
> >>> many times already. How does one go about fixing a dll? I have already
> >>> done a run/cmd/chkdsk, on the advice of Dell.
> >>> Thanks
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> "Manny Ortiz" wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Hello,
> >>>> I have been trying to change the desktop background on my pc.
> >>>> When I bring up the control panel, and click on appearance and themes,
> >>>> the page come up fine. When I click on any task on the page, or any
> >>>> icon for that matter, nothing happens. This may be part of a bigger
> >>>> problem, as my pc is running dreadfully slow the last 2 days. I have
> >>>> already run virus scans, adware scans, and contacted Dell support, but
> >>>> still the problem persists. Any help would be appreciated.
>
>