All my *.exe files are inaccessible now??

silversleeper · 10-13-2004, 09:31 PM

Okay, I ran HJT and got rid of some really annoying spyware. It seems everything in my PC was getting screwy. After each reboot, I would notice 1 or more things not being able to work properly. And now, I am not able to run any programs because all my shortcuts, or rather, icons to the programs, have become the same thing. They all became the icon commonly used to represent unassociated files. So whenever I try to double-click on a program, it either doesn't do anything, or it will open the window reading, "Windows cannot open this file:
File: (whatever program i choose)
To open this file, Windows needs to know what program created it. Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually select from a list of programs on your computer.
What do you want to do?
O Use the Web service to find the appropriate program
O Select the program from a list"

This is BS. I cannot open anything, not even HJT. I really need help cause I dont want to format again.

silversleeper · 10-14-2004, 05:36 AM

anyone have any ideas?

greyknight17 · 10-14-2004, 06:20 AM

Eureeka! I think I have found the solution.

You can download a zip file here. Unzip it and run the batch file. It will restore all your files back to XP defaults. Meaning if you used any other third party programs to open up certain file types with, you will need to re-associate them again manually.

Hopefully, it'll work perfectly for you.

silversleeper · 10-16-2004, 07:05 PM

thanks for the reply. unfortunately, i dunno how to "run" a batch file. moreover, my computer will allow me to see the file in Windows Explorer, but, I cannot do anything with it. If I right-click on the file, it doesnt give me any options to open the selected file.
All I get is the SEND TO, CUT, COPY, CREATE SHORTCUT, DELETE, RENAME, and finally, PROPERTIES.
That is what I get with all the files in my system. And the computer doesnt respond when I double click on an item either. Something is seriously screwed up in here. I am desparate. I have no anti-virus software loaded either, so I doubt I will be able to install anything.

10-13-2004, 09:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
silversleeper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 23 OS: XP Pro	*All my .exe files are inaccessible now??** Okay, I ran HJT and got rid of some really annoying spyware. It seems everything in my PC was getting screwy. After each reboot, I would notice 1 or more things not being able to work properly. And now, I am not able to run any programs because all my shortcuts, or rather, icons to the programs, have become the same thing. They all became the icon commonly used to represent unassociated files. So whenever I try to double-click on a program, it either doesn't do anything, or it will open the window reading, "Windows cannot open this file: File: (whatever program i choose) To open this file, Windows needs to know what program created it. Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually select from a list of programs on your computer. What do you want to do? O Use the Web service to find the appropriate program O Select the program from a list" This is BS. I cannot open anything, not even HJT. I really need help cause I dont want to format again.

10-14-2004, 06:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
greyknight17 Analyst, Security Team Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: New York Posts: 14,327 OS: Windows 98 & Windows XP Home/Pro My System	Eureeka! I think I have found the solution. You can download a zip file here. Unzip it and run the batch file. It will restore all your files back to XP defaults. Meaning if you used any other third party programs to open up certain file types with, you will need to re-associate them again manually. Hopefully, it'll work perfectly for you. __________________ Please do NOT PM me. Post whatever questions you may have in the forum and we will take a look at it when we get to it. If you have waited for more than 3 days, you may then and ONLY then PM me for assistance. I will take a look at it. Adaware :: CWShredder :: HijackThis :: Panda ActiveScan :: Spybot S&D Anti-Spyware Tutorial :: Spyware Prevention Tools

10-14-2004, 05:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
silversleeper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 23 OS: XP Pro	anyone have any ideas?

10-16-2004, 07:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
silversleeper Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 23 OS: XP Pro	thanks for the reply. unfortunately, i dunno how to "run" a batch file. moreover, my computer will allow me to see the file in Windows Explorer, but, I cannot do anything with it. If I right-click on the file, it doesnt give me any options to open the selected file. All I get is the SEND TO, CUT, COPY, CREATE SHORTCUT, DELETE, RENAME, and finally, PROPERTIES. That is what I get with all the files in my system. And the computer doesnt respond when I double click on an item either. Something is seriously screwed up in here. I am desparate. I have no anti-virus software loaded either, so I doubt I will be able to install anything.