Can't open msconfig

I'm running Windows XP Home and when I click on system configuration utility,
nothing happens. There is no event listed in the event viewer. I am logged
in as owner/adminstrator, so it should not be a rights issue.
Although I can find the utility in winnt/pchealth/binaries, I can't run it
from there, the help and support utility, or the command line.
I've done multple malware/virus scans but have found nothing. I even
downloaded an emergency utility file from an MVP site to create a clean copy
of msconfig.exe, but the same thing happens. Even if there were malware
blocking the program, the clean copy should not have been affected. Any
ideas?

Thanks

kcmbs

maybe its not malware
blocking your efforts
but your anti virals.

try opening msconfig
via safemode.

Same problem in safemode. I also disabled Kaspersky IS temporarily, but had
the same result. This is driving me crazy.

It should be in the:
C:\Windows\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Binaries
directory.

Does Start->Run->"msconfig" work?

It is located at C:\WINNT\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\binaries
It will not run from Start>Run>msconfig
It just gives me the hourglass for a second or two.

Make a copy of the file with a different name and see if it can be run.
Malware could certainly be blocking the file from running..

Install, update and run these:

Malwarebytes© Corporation

SuperAntispyware

since it doesn't
work in safe mode
either,

then you may have
additional issues
with other core
system files but
yet to be discovered.

therefore, I recommend
a repair install or a
sfc /scannow.

but before doing the
above, perhaps it wouldn't
be a bad idea to run a quick
check to ensure your
system files are reconciled
with the master file table.

perhaps, a chkdsk will
help the system and the
msconfig to engage.

so boot with a win cd
and from the disk prompt
and via the recovery
console run the following
before repairing the
system core:

chkdsk /p

if the check proves
futile then a repair
install should do the
trick for you.

Downloaded and ran malware scan, no infections.
Tried renaming msconfig, still won't execute.

Turns out the boot configuration was bad. I deleted and recreated the
boot.ini file.
Problem solved.
Thanks for everyone's input.