Buffer overrun, AIM terminated & wont re-start

System: Windows XP Professional, 2002 Service Pack 2
PC Parts: AMD Athlon 64x2 Dual Core Processor 4200+ 2.21 GHz

I use the AIM add-on DeadAIM, which allows me to customize my AIM by blocking buddy list advertisements, logging my chats, having tabbed IM windows, etc. DeadAIM can only be used with some of the older versions of AIM, AIM 5.4 is the latest version DeadAIM is compatible with. I'm not sure if it was after Windows installed an update or when I installed Skype that I got the system notice:
"Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library

Buffer overrun detected!

Program: C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe

A buffer overrun has been detected which has corrupted the program's
internal state. The program cannot safely continue execution and must
be terminated."

I tried restoring my system to an earlier point and AIM worked again for about 2 days. I've uninstalled Skype and a few other programs I thought might have contributed to the problem, I've restored my system several times, I've re-installed AIM, I've checked my anti-virus program (Avira) to make sure it wasn't any viruses or trojans. I installed newer versions of AIM and they all worked fine. I downloaded HJT, but I'm not a programmer or a wiz with a computer, so none of it really makes too much sense to me. If anyone has had and/or knows how to fix this problem please, I'd really appreciate the help.

-Thanks

Edited by Narutard, 07 December 2009 - 04:14 PM.

You could possibly consider updating to SP3, unless you have rejected this idea, because you have an AMD processor
and have observed that some people had problems, after updating, whether or not they applied the AMD patch.

Don't know if it will fix your problem; buffer overrun pops up all over the place, not just with aim.exe.

List of fixes that are included in Windows XP Service Pack 3:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946480

You are supposed to install the AMD patch FIRST.

Windows Service Pack 3 patch for AMD processors to prevent STOP: 0x0000007E error on boot:

http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/windo...0x0000007E.html

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Full Package:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en

As always, at your own risk; create a restore point; you can always uninstall SP3.

How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249

If there is a simple way to deal with 'buffer overrun' problems, I would also like to know, for future reference.

Buffer overruns...may be indications of a malware problem.

Buffer overrun attack is a very common attack utilized by hackers. This type of attack is not new. This attack utilizes poor coding practices in C and C++ code, with the handling of string functions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffer_overrun

Louis

Noted, Louis, thanks for the input.

Hence the importance of maintaining tight security, regular scanning, including of course, realtime scanning.

Thanks for the help guys. I cant install the Windows SP3 cause DeadAIM isn't compatible with it, but thanks for the suggestion. Since my problem is possibly Malware related, should I re-post my topic in the "HijackThis Logs and Malware Removal" forum?

It won't hurt to have someone look at it, since malware is a possibility.

If they give you the "all clear", then we can try to approach it from a different angle.

Are You Infected Detecting Malware Infection - http://www.securityfocus.com/infocus/1666 \P

Please read and follow all administrative rules posted for users there.

Louis

DeadAIM version 4.5, is supposed to work with AIM version 5.5.3595.

If you haven't tried it:

http://www.oldversion.com/download_AOL_Ins...r_5.5.3595.html