BleepingComputer.com: Error loading C:\users\bernice\appdata\roaming\cctuu.dll

HP Pavillion computer running Windows Vista Home Premium.
AVG Free 8.5
Windows Defender

For the last two weeks, when I start the computer, I get the following error message popping up on the desktop.

Error Loading C:\Users\Bernice\AppData\Roaming\cctuu.dll
The specified module could not be found.

I can close the window and continue using the computer. But I don't want to do anything mission critical (like checking stocks or bank accounts online) until I find out what this is.

The computer seems slower than usual. And when I was opening some pictures, I got an error message about damaged or corrupted files, however, later the same picture files opened just fine. I don't know if either of these is associated with the error message.

I've tried googling this file. I can not find anything on it. I don't know what it does or what it is connected to. Is it something I need? (Apparently the computer thinks so, since it wants me to find it.) Or is it related to some kind of malware? Am I even in the correct forum?

I had a similar issue earlier this summer (about 2-3 months ago). I think it was looking for this same file (the cctuu part rings a bell), but I can't remember what I did to fix it. I did reinstall the drivers to my HP c3140 printer at that time, but I don't remember if that is what fixed the problem. So I've also reinstalled the printer drivers today, just in case that is what helped last time, but no joy. Same error message still coming up.

Please help.

Paula the clueless

PS I also did a full scan with Malwarebytes Antimalware, but it only found a few tracking cookies. I deleted them all.

Its not unusual to receive such an error after using specialized fix tools.

A "Cannot find...", "Could not run...", "Error loading... or "specific module could not be found" message is usually related to malware that was set to run at startup but has been deleted. Windows is trying to load this file but cannot locate it since the file was mostly likely removed during an anti-virus or anti-malware scan. However, an associated orphaned registry entry remains and is telling Windows to load the file when you boot up. Since the file no longer exists, Windows will display an error message. You need to remove this registry entry so Windows stops searching for the file when it loads.

To resolve this, download Autoruns, search for the related entry and then delete it.

Create a new folder on your hard drive called AutoRuns (C:\AutoRuns) and extract (unzip) the file there. (click here if you're not sure how to do this.)
Open the folder and double-click on autoruns.exe to launch it.
Please be patient as it scans and populates the entries.
When done scanning, it will say Ready at the bottom.
Scroll through the list and look for a startup entry related to the file(s) in the error message.
Right-click on the entry and choose delete.
Reboot your computer and see if the startup error returns.


I would also post in our Am I Infected forum
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum103.html
There's a bad rootkit infection going around

Sorry about the long absence. Yes, it's true. I was another flu victim. But, finally better.

So! I tried the Autoruns, but I'm not sure what to look for. Nothing said cctuu.dll. But then, the problem seems to be that this file doesn't exist. And I don't know what it may or may not belong to. <shrugs>

How do I recognize an orphan registry entry when I see one? Are all the other entries holding their mommies hands? ;)

Paula the Silly