Windows 7 - can't open executable files

[paprik]

Hi,
everything was working well yesterday, but I performed a full scan with adaware, which found 3 issues that didn't seem severe at all (infected jpg etc.).

Today, I can't launch any programs whatsoever, beyond the stuff that launches on startup (can't even launch things like system recovery in control panels). I opened up the task manager and it seems like whenever I launch something, the process shows up for a second and then dies/gets killed.

I knew it wouldn't help, but tried .exe association fix anyways. I also tried killing a processes listed under my user in case one of them was raping the others and this also did not work.

I'd appreciate any help on this.

[aciid]

Hi paprik and Welcome to TSF,

This sounds more like a malware issue. Let's try a few things first though before moving the thread elsewhere:

Can you boot into safemode and try if that works?
If so, try scanning the PC for malware again.
Try restoring to a previously known working system restore point.

[paprik]

Can't believe I didn't think of trying safe mode. Bad news are it didn't help. Good news are I figured out I apparently can launch all 64bit applications and it's just the 32bit ones that won't launch.

And then there's the terrible news - seems like more people have had this issue after using adaware Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit-- Can't open 32bit programs after - Microsoft Answers
and none of them were able to fix it by anything other than a clean reinstall.

edit: Also to answer your suggestions - I can't restore to a previous point if that isn't clear from the previous post (seems like a 32 bit thingy handles it), and Microsoft Security Essentials (the only anti malware thingy I'm able to run now) did not find anything.

[aciid]

I'm afraid that's the only solution I know. Considering x64 operating system "emulates"(simply put) x86 applications, I'm guessing Windows core system is no longer able to handle that "emulation" part.

You could of course try to do a System Repair with the installation CD before continuing, might work.

[jenae]

Hi, don't go the reinstall yet lets see if we can effect some cure. Turn of UAC and see what happens. In safe mode select last known good. If you are heading for a clean install as previous threads have indicated, back up if you have not done so already. Post back your outcome there is more we can do.

[paprik]

UAC and last known good conf. did not solve the issue.

I am currently downloading a Windows 7 iso (from msdnaa) since my previous dvd does not work for some reason. I will probably have to install via an external hard drive, hopefully that works out fine.

I strongly recommend against using lavasoft ad-aware, seeing as how the product's suggested actions (remove in this case) can screw up the whole os.

Thanks for your fast replies anyway.