Help with W98 Problem - Apps won't run

[Vladiator16]

I've been trying to correct some problems on a system with W98 that belongs to an associate of my father.

The first problems that he indicated to me were that he couldn't launch certain applications and the system wouldn't shut down properly. I attempted to run Systemworks from a CD and it would not install (not error message, just the hour glass spinning for a few seconds and nothing). I was able to run some of the utilities from the Systemworks CD but they didn't fix the problem. I was able to launch the applications from their location on the C: drive but not from the desktop shortcuts so I created new ones to fix that problem. I also couldn't get the system properties to display as well by right clicking on My Computer. I could get access into the main control panel but it would not access any of the options in the control panel.

I ran a memory tester overnight that did not come up with any errors and then installed AV antivirus. After rebooting AV immediatly came up with a few virus warnings after the OS had booted up, in which I selected the HEAL option. After that I kept receiving a Windows error "Program Not Found" "Windows cannot find start". After clicking cancel after this error kept popping up several times, the desktop came up. Since then, I cannot launch any application except for IE. I can browse through the file explorer but no other functions work with the same error warning appearing, not even trying to run msconfig from the run function will work.

Any ideas of how I can fix this. The guy doesn't have a W98 disk, and I did attempt to upgrade to ME but again, I recieved the same error noted above. He prefers not to reformat but I seem to be running out of options/ideas. I'd greatly appreciate any help. Thanks

[galaxian]

Download Fix-Exec.inf from the bottom of this page

Then select the file, right mouse, install.

When you ran the AV it removed the virus/trojan but didn't fix the registry. This file will.

Then, immediately run a full virus check again. AND, since you may have had and intruder will full access to the PC, immediately change ALL passwords.

And, recommend your associate install an always active, always updated antivirus, and a firewall.

[Vladiator16]

Thanks Galaxian .... I'll give that a shot.

[Mesaeus]

If after this you can run executables, you're also going to have to download and run Spybot and Adaware. This is to get rid of the mighty heap of spyware that's probably also present. And try to download and install any Critical update you find on WindowsUpdate. Report back if all of this works. Finally, after you have done all of this, you can use HijackThis to generate a log that you can post here, and we'll see what still has to be fixed.

It's a bit of work, but it's the only way to really clean a messed up system. Getting rid of the trojan was just the first step. If you have any problems, we'll try to help you with them.

[Vladiator16]

The .inf file did the trick. Thanks again Galaxian. I ran Spybot before I installed AV and came up with relatively little spyware (surprisingly). I did a full scan again with Spybot and AV resulting in no problems afterward. Thanks for the recommendations Mesaeus.