most of my programs stopped responding normally

hello experts.
something has taken control of my computer. i hope u can help me.
most of my shortcuts dont connect to their program and even in the "program files" folder they wont come up unless i use the "run as" instead of the "open" option.
i also cant open or operate such basic things as the "control panel" or the "run - msconfig".

it all started after i downloaded some registry entry which turned out to be false, but it didnt happen immediately.
i went on to install a new software, which was clean, and rebooted.
then i was prompted by my "kerio firewall" and "lavasoft adwatch" to accept or deny some changes (much more then the usual amount when installing new software).
i accepted some before realizing it all seems strange and since i couldnt determine their purpose started declining them.
wheb i rebooted again, some of my startup programs didnt come up and most of my programs stopped responding normally or at all.
i ran "ccleaner" for my registry, but it couldnt complete the cleaning.
most programs wont work like they should.
any idea?

 

the message i get when double clicking is:
"this file doesnt have a program associated with it for preforming this action. create an association in the folder options control panel".
i shold correct myself and say that i have access to some programs in the "control panel" but not to "add or remove programs" for example.

 

Welcome to MajorGeeks.com, please follow our standard cleaning procedures:

Run ALL the steps in this Sticky thread READ & RUN ME FIRST Before Asking for Support

• Make sure you check version numbers and get all updates.

Very Important: Make sure you tell us the results from running the tutorial...was anything found? Were you unable to complete any of the scans?...Were you unable to download any of the tools?...Did you do the on-line scans as suggested? etc.

After doing ALL of the above and you still have a problem, make sure you have booted to normal mode and run the steps in the below thread to properly use HijackThis and attach the log:

Downloading, Installing, and Running HijackThis

• Make sure you also rename HijackThis.exe as suggested in the procedures. Use analyse.exe for the new name. This is very important due to some new infections going around..

When you return to make your next post, make sure you attach the following logs and that you have run these scans in the following order too:

• CounterSpy
• AVG Antispyware log - ONLY IF NEEDED you were not able to run CounterSpy
• Bitdefender - from step 6
• Panda Scan - from step 6
• runkeys.txt - the log from GetRunKey.bat
• newfiles.txt - the log from ShowNew.bat
• HijackThis

NOTE: You can only attach 3 files in a single message so it will require that you use two messages to attach all of these logs!

 

hi.
i tried doing it first, but programs dont work on my computer right now, not even in safe mode.
i cant do "add or remove", "msconfig", "ccleaner" wont delete anything etc.
i need a good advice on how to reconnect with my programs before i can do anything.
just to let u know - restore point and recovery console dont work either.
thanks.

 

When you try to run an executable file in normal or safe mode, what does it do? Does it execute and load?

Download exefix_xp.com utility and save to Desktop. Double-click the file to run it.

After you do the above, reboot and try to run a program if it works then stop here. If it does NOT then try the below. Reboot once completed, let me know if either of these work.


Copy the contents of the below Quote Box to Notepad. Then click File and then Save As. Change the Save as Type to All Files. Name the file fixme.reg and then click save. (make sure you save it somewhere you can find it. Saving it to your Desktop may make that easy.) Then double-click on the fixme.reg file on your desktop (or locate it with Windows Explorer and double click on it if not saved to the Desktop) and when it prompts to Add in to the registry, say yes.

 

hi.
i followed your exact instructions but neither worked.

my executables dont function when double clicked. the message i get is:
"this file doesnt have a program associated with it for preforming this action. create an association in the folder options control panel".

the exefix_xp.com doesnt respond at all.
the fixme.reg gives the same message as the executables, also when i try right click and merge.

any thoughts?

 

Try this...

1. Click Start, Run and type cmd and press ENTER
2. Type the following commands one by one:
   
3. If Registry Editor opens successfully, then navigate to the following key:
   
4. Double-click the (Default) value in the right pane
5. Delete the current value data, and then type:
   
6. Navigate to:
   
7. In the right-pane, set (default) to exefile
8. Exit the Registry Editor.

 

i'm sorry but my computer wont execute the "run - cmd" operation.
wont execute the "command prompt" in the accesories option either.
no ".exe" option will work!
is there any way to go around it just to make something work, and then i can run your suggestions?

i also dont understand the last quote entry u made in your post.

 

First, be sure hidden files and folders is enabled and also be sure the box next to "show file extensions is unchecked, now go into C:\WINDOWS and locate the file "regedit.exe", right click and select copy, paste the file on the desktop and click rename. Rename it to regedit.com and then try to run regedit.

If it still doesn't work download the attached inf file, save to your desktop.

Right click on the INF file and select "install" from the list.

 

From the command prompt, enter copy regedit.exe regedit.com and press enter, then type regedit.com and press enter.

If you can't get into the command prompt then this is useless.

 

THANKS SO MUCH!!!
everything seems to work now. its brilliant!!
i really appreciate your effort!
now i will go through the steps in the "run first" section, and see how long it takes to go through it all.
my sincere gratitude!
ifat.

 

Great! Which step worked?

Now we need to address what caused that problem. Once you complete the READ ME attach the requested logs from post #3 and we will go from there.

 

hi

the attached inf file worked. i installed it and my executables came back to life.
THANKS AGAIN!

i'm still going through the procedure of scanning and logging my system.
will post again soon.

 

Good! I will be awaiting the requested logs.

 

hello again.

i've done all the steps in the guide.
counterspy found nothing so there's no log.
panda activescan wouldnt respond no matter what i tried. i followed all the steps but it just wouldnt work for me.

i'm attaching 3 files and moving on to the hjt scan.

 

i'm attaching the hjt scan.

i'm having problems with my explorer. it doesnt respond when i shut down windows and i need to end it manually each time, even in safe mode. is this problem connected?

 

After you have completed this post, reboot and let me know what problems you're having.

Your logs look good, however there are a few things I want you to do.

Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune. This program does not require an installation. The executable actually runs the program.

NOTE: This program is for Windows XP and Windows 2000 only. ATF Cleaner will remove all files from the items that are checked so if you have some cookies you'd like to save. Please move them to a different directory first.

• Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
• Under Main choose: Select All
• Click the Empty Selected button.

If you use Firefox browser

• Click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  • NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

If you use Opera browser

• Click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  • NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

Click Exit on the Main ATF Cleaner menu to close the program.

After you complete the above, look in Add/Remove Programs and uninstall the below.

• Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 6

Make sure you reboot after uninstalling the above!

After reboot, now install the current version of Sun Java from: Sun Java Runtime Environment


Once you complete the above, follow the below instructions for the Explorer problem.

Copy the contents of the below Quote Box to Notepad. Then click File and then Save As. Change the Save as Type to All Files. Name the file fixme.reg and then click save. (make sure you save it somewhere you can find it. Saving it to your Desktop may make that easy.) Then double-click on the fixme.reg file on your desktop (or locate it with Windows Explorer and double click on it if not saved to the Desktop) and when it prompts to Add in to the registry, say yes.

 

hello again.
sorry it took me some time. its my exams period.

i've done all u said but still have some repeating problems:
the registry entry u gave me wont work. it says theres an error of some sort.
my explorer still needs to be closed manually.
afterwards theres the blue screen saying something is wrong with my display card driver (this has not happened before).
i have to shut down with the button and when i turn on again, it takes a very long time for everything to operate. i also noticed theres a dump report in the startup in msconfig. what should i do with it?
it seems i have some malware in the restore volume information. what should i do with it?

besides these new problems i have constant problems which maybe u can help me with:
my printer will constantly get stuck and only resume printing when i restart the computer.
my mouse marker will disappear after i close the bsplayer.
i would really like to apply the details view to all folders but this option is grey in my folder option.

thanks for your attention

 

For this problem, follow the below.

Flush your System Restore points. Please follow the instructions below:

• Disable and Re-enable System Restore
  
• Turn OFF System Restore to flush any bad Restore Points
• Then, follow the instructions at the bottom of the linked page to Re-enable the Restore Utility which will create a fresh restore point.

 

For the problems you mentioned below, I recommend your posting those in the Software Forum because they are not malware related.

 

hello again

done all u advised me to.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR EFFORT!!!

TOTALLY APPRECIATED!

ifat.

 

Your Welcome!

Surf Safely!:major