Ad Aware caused big problems broken .exe files converted to .LNK files

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by meesterpaul, Feb 25, 2006.

  1. meesterpaul

    meesterpaul Private E-2

    :mad: Ad Aware caused big problems, broken .exe files were converted to .LNK files.
    I had free version of Spyware Dr in also. I had Ad Aware SE Plus, which I bought online. After what Microsoft message said was overly aggressive anti-spyware most .exe files were converted to nonfunctionable .lnk files (shortcuts, to nowhere)
    I had to do a full system restore and all the updating after that. I only loaded Ad Aware this time. I had even paid for the CD despite not getting the promo price. lI left Spyware Dr off in case a conflict was the problem. oopsies! Lasted two days. I had a backup copy of the whole system in a parition this time so the system restore and updates were less trouble. Ask me how happy I am with Ad Aware :mad . I will be offering it for sale on ebay or info about it. Now that I am using Windows' Beta I haven't had a problem. None of the fixes I found online for fixing broken exe files worked for me.
    I am using XP Pro on an IBM T42.
     
  2. bjgarrick

    bjgarrick MajorGeeks Admin - Malware Expert

    Download the attached ZIP file, save to your desktop. Extract the contents to it's own folder then locate the file "fix.reg" and double click to run. When it prompts click YES. Reboot and see if the EXE-INK files associations are fixed.
     

    Attached Files:

  3. meesterpaul

    meesterpaul Private E-2

    Thanks a bunch for the suggestion. I seem to recall trying a couple registry repair procedures. I think I got stonewalled becaue I had limited functionality. I could sneak into Internet Explorer by opening Outlook and opening a link. I could download reg fix files but I couldn't click any files open. Whether they would repair the broken exe links or not I was never able to determine.
    That I haven't had the problem since discontinuing Ad Aware is compelling though.
     
  4. bjgarrick

    bjgarrick MajorGeeks Admin - Malware Expert

    So do you still have the problem with the EXE and INK files?

    Can you explain all of your problems?
     
  5. meesterpaul

    meesterpaul Private E-2

    No problems now. No Ad Aware either. Since restoring the second time I downloaded Windows Beta and have been enjoying smooth sailing.
    I never was able to repair any broken exes. There were some suggestions at filext.com that I tried but common internal exe's wouldn't run so I wasn't able to open and try their suggestions. Apparently the anti-spyware would get excited by an .exe and would try to protect the system, in this case, from itself, by converting the .exe's to .lnks. These new .lnk files (shortcut files) didn't point to a relevant and openable file so they became vestigal files.
    The software support at IBM-Lenovo had prettty much no idea was I was talking about. I didn't talk to Microsoft but I did search their archives. I found some references to broken .exe files but I never found a way to repair any of them. Since I have restored the system I don't have to anymore either.
    TY again.
     
  6. bjgarrick

    bjgarrick MajorGeeks Admin - Malware Expert

    Glad you got your problems fixed! :)
     

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