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Q: The following message pops up at random very frequently: “Runtime Error, Windows\System32\spool\drivers\X64\3\E_YATIHWA.EXE. Application has made an attempt to load the C runtime library incorrectly”.  I found and downloaded the 2008/2012 C++ libraries to no avail; downloaded the MS Fix-it files to fix RTEs, restored computer to earliest time allowed, all no help. Error msg Googles to Epson Status Monitor file.  Probably started after installing new Epson printer. Have reloaded s/w from website 2 times no help.

– Robert W.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida

 A: Well Robert, the good news is that your research is correct.  The program in question is related to the Epson Status Monitor 3, which, as you said, was installed along with your new Epson printer.  The bad news is that you’re doing what people often do in trying to solve a problem they don’t understand, and you’re doing unnecessary things to your computer which, in combination, can actually put it at risk.  Case in point, the C++ libraries you installed were “to no avail” because they are not used by the software in question.  The software needs the runtime library for which it was written, and nothing else.  Unlike something like a virus scanner or security update, having the latest version will do you no good when it comes to a run-time library.  The MS Fix-It was a good choice if it had worked.  Obviously not all RTEs are created equal.  I can’t help but wonder what you undid on your computer by restoring it to the earliest time allowed.  Whatever security patches or other updates were installed are probably now gone, and will need to be re-installed.

I don’t have a definitive answer for you, but here’s some things to try:  You said you reloaded the software from the website twice.  That’s good, and I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you have the correct version for your operating system.  But did you completely uninstall the old version before reloading?  If not, go back and do that first. Double check to make sure you removed everything – some installers load multiple applications that require separate removal.  Also, pay attention to the printer’s instructions about when to plug the device in during installation.  Plugging it in prematurely can activate Window’s plug-and-play, and interfere with the manufacturer’s installation process.  Consider disabling your virus scanner while installing the new software, so critical parts of the installation don’t get blocked.  After all, a software installation looks suspiciously like a virus installation, and the scanner might not be able to tell the difference.  Finally, make sure all your other system software is up to date.  Perform a Windows update before you do anything else.  Good luck!

Q: I keep getting two pop ups I cannot get rid of. One is from Adobe FPS requesting 10 KB more storage space. The other is from FUNMOODSSrv.exe wanting me to download open.Icontent. I don’t know what that means, but I have read to not download any exe ‘s. Any help?

– Bill R.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida

A: On a modern computer 10 KB is a tiny amount of space, so I cannot imagine a program popping up a dialog to ask for that amount of storage.  Are you sure it’s not telling you that your connection is slow, and it needs 10 KB/S more network bandwidth?  Please send me the complete error message.  Your other problem is more straightforward – that one is malware.  Specifically, it’s Adware trying to get you to install more malware.  You can remove Funmoods through the regular “Add/Remove Programs” function of Control Panel, but that won’t repair the damage it has done to your browser configuration.  I found a pretty good site online that will explain how you got it in the first place, and how to completely clean it off.  Visit tinyurl.com/dy9royg for the details.