An 'uninstalled' program seemingly kept looking for a (AgHelp).dll file. How can I stop this, if it is possible?

Question

I've recently removed/uninstalled (via control panel's Programs section) some programs with the intention of removing unused or unknown programs.  After re-starting windows I've started getting this RunDLL error with these texts:  "There was problem starting .... C:\Users(user name)\AppData\Local\ARCADE~1\AgHelp.dll ........ The specified module could not be found....... (OK)"

Apparently there's a program calling for this file.  I've tried searching the Registry via Regedit and Task Manager but I have not seen anything that might be doing this.  Is there someone here who may have encountered a similar situation and know a way to stop it?  Thanks.

Answer 1

Hey there,

Actually ran into this issue with a client of ours yesterday, the articles previously mentioned did not help but we were able to resolve the issue.

Two things I recommend you do.

1. Delete all references of arcade from the registry

-Open regedit (if you search for it after clicking the start button you will find it).

• Click on edit and then select search, search for "arcade" and delete all references of it from your registry.

2. Disable the task it created. Even after deleting it from the registry my user still got the error, then I found it in the task schedule. (I've attached a screen shot of what you should look for.

-Click start and search for "task" you will see task scheduler (or schedule tasks), open it.

-Look for the "apcatsupport" task under the task scheduler library.

-Right click it and disable it.

To be honest, if you aren't 100% comfortable with computers, I would skip step 1 and just do step 2, the task itself is what triggers that DLL error.

Answer 2

Thanks Sean.  I think Arcade or something related may have been one of the 'unused' programs I deleted or uninstalled in my system.  It was after I re-started the system when this rundll error began popping up.  Trying to fix it I've gone thru searching the Registry and my disk for files with the Arcade name or similar sounding names.  When I cannot find anything from the searches I tried following other suggested procedures, unfortunately, to no avail.

Finally I ended following another suggestion which was to create another administrative user and disabled the old one. I just had to make modifications to closely bring the new user properties to the old one's.  So far I've never seen the Rundll error pop up again.  I've kept the files of the old user just in case.

Again thanks.

Answer 3

Hi, I am new to this site so please bare with me if I am incorrectly requesting help.  I had installed avast and and got a lot of issues with it, so I uninstalled it and found even more issues!. I found that in the services screen everything had been disabled. I went through each line......and either set the item to manual, or automatic, there were a few lines I left disabled though.  All is back to normal state with the exception of the stupid dll error that was mentioned on an earlier thread. the arcade~1 error. I have tried several different fix's, including the one you have above but I am getting no where with this! I am using Win7, 64 bit, amd processor, I could try to run a system restore, (now that it is once again available) but other than that is there anything you would suggest? Your help is greatly appreciated! 

Cyndy

Answer 4

See the following threads for possible solutions you can possibly try to remove that error message on startup:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-performance/rundll-error/d80e1bbe-a8f6-441b-8a0d-abd78ea08fff

also:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-performance/rundll-error-on-startup-after-upgrading-to-windows/9ad1eeee-b910-40ef-99e9-9f1cdfcca1cb