Windows Task Manager Not Working / Accessible- EXPLOIT

After seeing post after post on various security / computer forums where people are stating their task manager No Longer works, I decide to look around. I first suspected a virus disabling the Task manager to hide it's process from the user. Little did I know, it would be verified. So if you have this problem, it isn't your only problem. You more than likely have a Virus or some type of Malware.
This is Not a fix, It is a possible Reason.

Windows XP SP2 Taskmgr bug

http://core-security.net/archive/2008/march/index.php#14032008

Back in 2006 Izee of the EOF virus writing team discovered a possibility to crash the Windows Taskmanager. It was easily done by setting a REG_BINARY value in the Registry of Windows to 0x00. The key is the following:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\TaskManager:Preferences

If you set it to 0x00, 0x00, 0x00... the Taskmanager will crash on the next startup. I (skyout) have therefore coded an exploit and used it back in 2006 in one of my first viruses as a very basic technique to hide my process to the user. Then we waited for a long time without using this bug anymore. With the release of Windows Vista we tested it again and it was fixed. In 2008 now, exactly in February, I got in contact with Microsoft Germany and informed them about the bug. They told me, that they will work on it, but for weeks not even an email came back. Now it is time for making this public! Now this bug is open for every person and everyone can use it and put pressure on Microsoft to fix it.

Here you can find the exploit: [taskmgr_dos.c.txt]

Another reason to Save Windows-XP

Yet another reason For Micro$oft toContinue distributing Win-XP. If you would like to help Save Windows XP, see the Banner at the top of this Blogs homepage, or use this link- Save Windows XP

Vista SP1 prerequisite updates send some PCs into endless reboot

Last week's updates prompt support complaints; problem first reported in December

By Gregg Keizer

February 17, 2008 (Computerworld) Updates that Microsoft Corp. began feeding Windows Vista users last week to prep PCs for next month's release of Service Pack 1 (SP1) have crippled some machines, according to messages posted to the company's support site.

Last Tuesday, Microsoft started sending Vista users two final prerequisite updates that are required before SP1 can be installed in March. The updates to the operating system's install components were delivered via Windows Updates, which automatically downloaded and installed them on the majority of Vista machines.

Users quickly started squawking.

In most cases, they reported that the final update hung while displaying the message "Configuring Updates Step 3 of 3 - 0% Complete," which was followed by a reboot of the PC. Which was followed by another reboot, and another. "[It] reboots ad infinitum," said Frank Melk on the Microsoft support newsgroup. A smaller number reported a different problem: After the update, their computer refused to boot normally.

Trying to boot into Safe Mode did no good, users said; the reboot loop cranked up then as well. "I am unsure as to what to do, because entering Safe Mode gives the same screen," Melk said. "Furthermore, I have no restore points saved, so going back to a known previous good config is no good either!"

Full Article @: ComputerWorld.com

Save Windows-XP

You may have NOTICED the banner at the top of the Home page asking you to help Save Windows-Xp. Why Save Windows-XP, you might be asking yourself. Because there are some of us out here that still use it, and will continue too use it. But Why you ask, Don't you want VISTA? Well sure some of us want Vista. We just can't afford it.

I have 3 boxes running Xp-pro and it would cost me a pretty penny to replace them with ones that could run Vista.

They say you would be able to buy a NEW Computer with XP installed for awhile, you just wont be able to go and buy the OS as a stand alone. I have gone to ALL of the stores in my area and it is NO where to be found.I have ask the sales people at these stores if they could Order me a copy and the Answer was NO.

My other reason besides the one above is- 'If it ain't Broke, why fix it'.

There are many more reasons and you can find them HERE