.exe does not open

[CorruptedSanitY]

So the home PC is rather messed up. It does not open up .exe applications.

So for example if I double click mozilla.exe, a window will pop up - the one that asks which program should it (XP) use to open the application-. For example in Control panel when I double click Sounds and Audio Devices or System icon, the following window pops up:

C:\Windows\system32\rundll32.exe

Application not found.


The computer is running on Windows XP Home,I am pretty sure its XP home, although a small possibility that its XP Pro. I am not sure if SP2 is on or not. I cant open the "system" icon (right click my computer~then properties).

I even tried installing AVG grisoft AntiVirus software,but the avg.exe file does not open. The window " Open With", select the program you want to use to open the file with - window appears.


System is running on Intel (P3 or P4).
Please advise. Thanks!

[starflyer59]

I just had a virus on my computer that would go through and replace all .exe files with the infected file. I have forgotten the name of the virus. Norton would not clean it...but mcafee would. I had to boot into safe mode, run mcafee and then reboot. The virus is now gone but I had to go in and reinstall some applications because the .exe files were corrupt or were deleted by mcafee.

[CorruptedSanitY]

star, I also had the same problem a long long time ago. About 5 yrs ago. Thats why I tried installing (AVG) an AntiVirus S/W.

Problem is I cant even install the program because XP keeps opening the "open with" window.

[pam123]

Old viruses never die once they're in the wild.
They just get re-written and updated.
Go here for an on-line scan : http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
If that get's blocked as well then save what you can and format.
If you get lucky you may only have to do some registry editing.
And have a talk with the folks about firewalls and keeping the anit-virus updated( Spyware preventers are a great idea to. ).

[CorruptedSanitY]

pam, ya worst case scenario is a format or re-installation XP.

I was abroad for 5 years, so the home pc would get a maintenence check twice a year (when I was home visiting). This time I was rather shocked to see no AntiVirus installed. After I get this problem (.exe's dont open), ill install a firewall,AV and spyware detector for them.

[CorruptedSanitY]

~bump for more opinions

[glc]

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/fileassoc/xp_exe_fix.zip

[CorruptedSanitY]

glc, what does that do ?

[glc]

Restore default association for EXE files

[CorruptedSanitY]

GLC, I went to dougknox.com just after I asked what it was. It worked!!

I was able to install the antivirus and now all .exe opens

thank s alot!!!