unable to run executables

[Canuck]

Any help appreciated -
desktop icons mostly windows default now, file associations screwed up, and most executables will not run from icons, even the program icons in the respective folders, but will run from the run - dos prompt
Cleaned up some viruses from my system, but how do i get executables to work again??
running Win 98 SE

thanks for any help you can give me, would hate to re-install windows and start from scratch

[foolishone]

I remember when I did that to the family computer...it was not a happy day.

I did however fix the problem completely by following this:

Turn off System Restore!!

1. Click Start, and then click Run.

2. Type regedit, and then press Enter.

3. Navigate to and select the key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

4. In the right pane, double-click the “Default” value.

5. Delete the current value data, and then type:

"%1" %*

Tip: Type the characters: quote-percent-one-quote-space-percent-asterisk.

6. Close Regedit utility.


I think I got that off the MS website a while back and saved it locally.

»fo

[TwoRails]

Hi Canuck,

Welcome to PC Mechanic !!

Sounds like you've been hit. Run Scandisk for problems. Also run Spybot and AdAware SE and see what you find. Use Safe Mode as an option if nesc.

TwoRails

[galaxian]

I'm not sure how my con-freres think that Regedit, Spybot or Adaware is going to run, with a mangled EXE registry key!!

Download this file

Then, select the file, right mouse, install and see if that works. If so, then exes should now run again.

[Canuck]

thanks for the prompt replies, but no luck.
tried the registry edit from foolishone, no go.
ran ad-aware from the run prompt, got rid of all adware and spyware that was on my system, as i do regularly. also tried the fix file suggested by galaxian, all to no avail. i can run executables by using the "RUN" prompt, but they won't work any other way.

[galaxian]

From the Run (ie Start > Run > {program name}
or as you posted before (a key point that I missed)
from the Run DOS Prompt???

If it's the latter, do you mean you are doing Start > Run > Command and THEN entering the {program name} ?

And, when you double click on a EXE file, exactly what happens?

You had virus(es)???
Which ones?

[Canuck]

Sorry, I can run most programs from the Run (ie Start > Run > {program name}
Not from the DOS prompt,
Had the w32/ Netsky.P. worm
some trojans; Agent.AJE Exploit - Byte Verify Kotafo.A ( this one was found in winlogon.exe)

when i double click on a program icon, i get to select what program i want to use to open with, but there is one program that works from the icon, and that icon is now what every program uses. that part looks like file association problem, all the shortcuts aren't associated with the proper programs, but the program icon itself thats in the program folder ( word, excel, etc..) all those program icons are the default windows icon, and all of those ask for what program to use to open with.

[Canuck]

hi guys, got the executables working again, but the shortcuts still don't work. all the program files now work, but only from their respective folders, not from a shortcut. tried creating new shortcuts, they don't work either. if i set a shortcut to 'Always use this program" ALL the shortcuts default to that program. anyone know the fix for this one???
thanks again

[GaryRouth]

If the programs run from the executables in their program folders, try just deleting the old shortcuts (so that they aren't around to confuse things).

This time, when you make new shortcuts, do so by right-clicking the executable in it's program folder, and selecting "Create Shortcut". If the executable runs OK from that folder, the shortcut pointing to that executable should work as well. You can either cut-and-paste, or copy-and-paste, the new icon into the Start/Programs menu where you'd like it (or on the Desktop, QuickLaunch tray, etc.)

See it that does it. If not, I'm not sure that malware is completely gone. I like to recommend HouseCall to help double-check your locally installed antivirus/antispyware. HouseCall is at http://housecall.trendmicro.com

Best of luck
. . . Gary

[Canuck]

thanks for the info Gary, ran housecall, found 12 more viruses/malware i hadn't found before. already tried creating new shortcuts, no-go. if i select any of the shortcuts on my system and set the "Always use this program" option, all my shortcuts change to that icon, so whatever shortcut i click they will all try to use that program. TweakUI doesn't solve the problem, neither does deleting the old shortcuts and creating new ones, but i'm stubborn too, i'll find a way to fix this sooner or later without having to re-intall Win98, i know that would be the easy way i guess, but there has to be a way...
thanks again guys

[GaryRouth]

Just for a quick fix try, you could run the .exe fix file that galaxian provided earlier - one more time. Then try making a new shortcut (with the right-click on the executable method), & see if it works then.

If you decide on an over-the-top, here's a guide: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=70846
-- If you do try an in-place reinstall like this, remember to visit Windows Update immediately after for the Security Patches.

. . . Gary