.exe files changed to .lnk...can't open files

Discussion in 'Software' started by moesavage, Jan 24, 2006.

  1. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    Hello, Today I tried to uninstall bitdefender(successfully) and install norton system works (unsuccessfully - I think. It's not currently running and I did receive some error messages on install which I did not write down, sorry), and in the process all my desktop and exe files were changed to .lnk. I have some of the programs you recommend to install - adaware SE, Spybot, Cleanup40(not Ccleaner) and ewido anti-malaware, but cannot get ANY of the programs to run. OS is Windows XP Professional. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
     
  2. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Hi and welcome to MajorGeeks.

    Do you have System Restore you can use?

    Also, what version of SystemWorks was it, different versions require different uninstall methods?
     
  3. Shataan

    Shataan Private First Class

    I had this same exact problem. System Restore will not fix it. As well, Norton was not the culprit that caused this problem. I will do a search and see if I can find the fix I used.
     
  4. Shataan

    Shataan Private First Class

  5. Gecks

    Gecks Specialist

    If you can't open system restore normally, you can boot into safe mode with command prompt and type "%SystemRoot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe" (no quotes). System restore SHOULD open, and you should be able to restore to before the problem took place. Like has been said, system restore doesn't always work for this type of issue, but honestly, it is probably your best bet.
     
  6. Shataan

    Shataan Private First Class

    You can try it. But it didn`t work at all for me when I had this same problem.
     
  7. Gecks

    Gecks Specialist

    Actually, the link fix idea is a much better idea, it just wasn't there when I started posting. :)
     
  8. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    I saved the fix to my desktop, but when I click on it nothing happens. I tried opening with winzip and still nothing Any ideas? Norton System works is the latest version (2005 or 2006?)
     
  9. Shataan

    Shataan Private First Class

    "If your EXE file associations are corrupted, it can be difficult to open REGEDIT, or to even import REG files. To work around this, press CTRL-ALT-DEL and open Task Manager. Once there, click File, then hold down the CTRL key and click New Task (Run). This will open a Command Prompt window. Enter REGEDIT.EXE and press Enter."

    Again I had the same problem. I believe the Zipfile fix is near the bottom, and it is a reg file when you d/l it. Use that 1st. It should allow you then to work with zip files.

    "For the ZIP file fix, the download is a REG file, since ZIP's aren't working anyway"
     
  10. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    I haven't worked with the registry before - but got it to pull up as you described. Just so I understand - I need to go to the file fix link given earlier and download the zip fix file?
     
  11. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    I went ahead and downloaded the zipfolder fix to my desktop - now what? Please be very specific. Thanks again for all the help
     
  12. Adrynalyne

    Adrynalyne Guest

    Rename this file.

    Take the .txt extension off, then replace it with .reg


    If file extensions are not shown, then enable them to be shown.

    My Computer>Tools>Folder Options

    Uncheck "Hide extensions for known filetypes.
     

    Attached Files:

  13. Shataan

    Shataan Private First Class

    The Zip file fix is a Registry file. You should just be able to click on that and that will allow you to work with zip files.

    Once you can open zipfiles. Then you should be able to open the LNK zipfile you d/led. After it is extracted, click on the LNK file association reg file, and that should re associate your EXE files.
     
  14. Shataan

    Shataan Private First Class

    Ok, here it is in detail.

    1: make sure you have both the LNK Shortcut File Association Fix, and the Zip Folder Association Fix on your desktop.

    2: Since your exes are not working, the Zip Folder Association Fix comes AS a Reg. file. Click on it. If prompted to enter it into the registry, click yes.

    If that does not work, do this:

    "press CTRL-ALT-DEL and open Task Manager. Once there, click File, then hold down the CTRL key and click New Task (Run). This will open a Command Prompt window. Enter REGEDIT.EXE and press Enter."

    This will get you into your regedit. Then click FILE at the top left hand side of Registry Editor, and you will see the command to Import. Click on Import. Now find where you d/led the Zip Folder Association Fix.

    Now hilite your zip folder association fix .reg file, and Import that into your registry. This should fix your Zip, and allow you to open the LNK shortcut association fix.

    After you open and extract your LNK shortcut file association fix to desktop, again go into your registry editor using the above instructions, and Import the LNK shortcut file association fix .reg file.

    This should do it.
     
  15. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    I tried to import the zip folder fix, and got the error message
    "cannot import (C:\Documents and settings\Maureen\Desktop\zipfolder_fix.reg: Not all data was successfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other processes" I had to do the "ctrl - alt - del" method to get the registry up. anything else I can try?
     
  16. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    BTW - also tried this in safe mode
     
  17. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    You never answered my original question (not your fault I know). (Or Adrynalyne's suggestion for that matter)

    Have you tried System Restore, and have you tried removing Norton?
     
  18. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    I tried removing norton with add/remove programs. It does nothing when I click on it. Same with system restore when I go through accessories menu - nothing happens. is there another way I can try these things?
     
  19. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Do you have your XP CD?

    If you have, go to Start, Run and type in sfc /scannow then OK. (there is a space after sfc )

    If that fails, I would try a Repair.


    BTW, have you tried Adrynalyne's suggestion?

    If you can't double-click on the .reg file, can you right-click and merge?
     
  20. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    Also did try Adrynalyne's suggestion. That file is on the desktop, changed the extension okay but nothing else happened. Accessed the registry and tried to "import" that file as well. Got the exact same error message in the previous post.
     
  21. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    insomniac - your message came up after I posted - how do I merge? when I right click there is no option for this. I do have my xp cd & will try this
     
  22. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Go into the Registry and find the following key,

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe

    Set the default to exefile


    Then goto: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

    Set the default to the following *exactly as given below*


    "%1" %*


    Close and reboot.
     
  23. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    Tried using the xp cd and got the message "this file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the folder options control panel." Also, the screen for the install of xp came up as well.
     
  24. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    I never said to run the XP CD.
     
  25. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    Insomniac - I pulled up the registry and scrolled down to the .exe - how do I set the default?
     
  26. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Right-click Default then Modify.
     
  27. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    I right clicked default - then modify - and got "Cannot edit: Error reading the value's contents"
     
  28. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Your Registry is seriously screwed.

    Try System File Checker or Repair as per my earlier instructions.

    If that fails, I'd be seriously considering a format and install.
     
  29. Gecks

    Gecks Specialist

    oops- added a post without seeing the last few responses.
     
  30. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    the system file checker is the sfc /scannow, correct? It won't work - get the error message posted earlier. Is the repair done from the xp disk (can you tell my knowledge is limited?) I don't want to reformat, but if i'm screwed - I have no other choice.
     
  31. Gecks

    Gecks Specialist

    Did you install Windows using a retail disk? (as opposed to it already being installed on your computer ?)

    If yes, then this might work: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;q307545

    Be warned, this involves ALOT of typing, and if you get stuck half-way through, you might be in worse shape than when you started.

    The repair might be the better bet, but atleast this is another option.
     
  32. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    So I should try the repair first? How do I do that?
     
  33. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    To answer your question Gecks, my system was built by a co-worker of my husband. I have copies of all software - so I guess I have a "retail" copy?
     
  34. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Where did you save the linkfile.txt file (which should now be named linkfile.reg) that Adrnalyne had you download?

    You should open a command prompt window (click Start, Run, and enter cmd and click OK). Then change directories to the folder where you saved the linkfile.txt file. Then enter the below command to try another method of import.

    regedit /s linkfile.reg


    You use the cd command to changde directories. So if you saved the file to your root folder of drive c ( C:\ ) you would use:

    cd C:\

    to change to that folder.
     
  35. Gecks

    Gecks Specialist

    To run the repair, boot from the Windows XP CD, press enter, press F8, and, when you are prompted to "choose an installation to repair", press r. If you don't get that prompt, quit setup, and let us know! :)

    The repair will remove restore points, which the article I mentioned relies on though, so it may be a one or the other kind of thing. The repair is a lot less typing intensive, maybe a little bit more risky.

    Hope this makes sense... :)

    Oh- and just to make sure- You have definately tried running a system restore, right?

    Edit: Try chaslang's idea before running a repair.
     
  36. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    saved the linkfile.txt (renamed to reg) to the desktop. When I type in cmd in "run" I get the message"this file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Folder Options control panel"
     
  37. Gecks

    Gecks Specialist

    Boot into safe mode with command prompt, try the same thing. :)
     
  38. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    Didn't work Gecks - same message. So should I now try a repair?
     
  39. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    also couldn't run a system restore
     
  40. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    Tried to repair - got the prompt to repair - hit "R" Got
    Microsoft Windows XP (TM) Recovery Console
    The Recovery Console provides system repair and recovery functionality.
    Type Exit to quit the Recovery Console and restart the computer.
    C:\> It's been on this for about 10 minutes. What should I do?
     
  41. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    HERE is a good guide to doing a Repair.

    When you do a Repair, you will lose any Service Packs and patches that weren't part of the original installation. (You won't lose any personal files or programs etc)

    Not a big deal, you will have to visit Windows Update and download them again.
     
  42. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    BTW, you said you couldn't run cmd to try that link.txt.

    Can you get to a command prompt via run then command.com then OK.

    Or via the Command Prompt in Accessories in Start Menu?


    Try that first, if not, go back to doing a Repair.
     
  43. Shataan

    Shataan Private First Class

    Well, very sorry to hear that my Fixes didn`t work. I had the same problem and these fixes worked awesome fast for me. So like another alluded to here, your Reg has some problems. Hope you find a cure. Last resort is the Reformat tho. Good luck.
     
  44. moesavage

    moesavage Private E-2

    I still am unable to get the command prompt. I will try a repair later this afternoon. Thank you all so much for your help. I will let you know what happens
     
  45. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Good luck, if you get stuck or have a question, don't hesitate to post back. :)
     

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