Notepad under Windows XP Home won't launch - error in user32.dll

[Bob Taylor]

After clearing machine of the blaster virus I can not get Notepad to
launch. Everytime it gives an "has encountered an error and will
close" and then wants to send an error report to Microsoft. Details
show an 0005 error in User32.dll.

Have run virus scanners and appear to be clean, used latest AVG and
also Trend on-line scans.

Checked notepad and user32.dll file sizes to another running system
that works and they match. Versions match as well.

Did an sfc /scannow and no problems detected.

At this point I am ready to format the hard drive and reinstall.

[Bob Taylor]

Solved the problem by copying the following three files from a working
XP Pro machine.

Notepad.exe, user32.dll (renamed existing files in safe command prompt
mode then replaced them with working copies, this in Windows\system32
directory)

explorer.exe in the Windows directory (same thing, renamed file first
in safe command prompt mode, then copied working file)

Rebooted system in normal mode, notepad now launches OK, no problems.
Problem with explorer also fixed by this. Explorer was also giving the
"have to close" error.

My guess is the original modules were virus corrupted in some way.