Help!!!

I bought a used pc that ran fine. It had Norton (expired) so I downloaded the removal tool from this site. Now when it reboots I get the message that windows cannot open this file on Every program. I can not open a thing. Can't get on line--anything.:confused

 

What is the exact error message?

 

A window box opens up with "windows" at the top.

then says, "windows cannot open this file"

It names the file I clicked on---same thing happens with every file or program

Then asks, "what do you want to do"---the two choices do not work.

1 use web---can't get online
2 select program---does not work. every program useless

I can also boot in safe mode, but all extensions useless

 

Try downloading the fix for EXE files. Unzip and right click the .reg file and select Merge.

 

I can not get online with that pc

it is every extension and not just the exe ones.

the only thing it does is boot to the windows desk top and nothing else. Mouse works though and clock keeps time. I can click on start, but nothing at all works. I get the same windows message with everything.

 

In My Computer > Tools>Folder Options>File Types scroll down to Zip and highlight it. Do you get a Change and/or Advanced button or are they greyed out?

 

There is no zip under file types. there is audio cd, drive, file folder, help, internet etc.... but they have (none) under their extensions.

thanks,

 

The first several visible are likely to have NONE. Click inside the box with the file associations and then scroll down further in the list. Zip is at the very end. Highlight and see if the change box is greyed out.

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Do you have a USB stick or blank CDs to download a couple of .reg files on another computer and then copy over to the one that isn't working?

 

I already scrolled down...not there.

Also, I had already loaded a cd into the drive. When I click on any file (which are greyed out) on the cd I get the same windows error message as with all the other files.

 

Look at this thread.

If you get a regedit window using the above then if you have the ".exe file association fix" on CD you should be able to select (In regedit) File>Import and Browse to the CD and chose the exe.reg file. Then you can work on fixing other associations.

I didn't give you the link for the exe fix http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm Select it from the list and download and unzip on your working computer. Put it on CD and then import from regedit on the messed up PC.

 

Thanks for your help. Some programs are working now...thank you. Still has a lot of problems and can't get on line etc...what next??

 

Also, seems that most things I can't run or open end in (.ink) and I do not see that in the list on the site you recommended to me.:confused

 

Looking on the web there seems to be a (.ink) virus. Turns all the extensions to .ink Not much info on it though.

 

Try Start>Run and copy and paste or type in %systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

Do you get any restore points before the Norton Removal Tool? I think a System Restore might be easier than going at it piecemeal.

 

These files end in .lnk so they are in the list under "L" Try the the system restore first if you have a restore point that is from a few days ago.

 

It does not restore. Keeps wanting me to choose a different date/time with no success.

 

Try the lnk fix. http://www.dougknox.com/xp/fileassoc/linkfile_fix.zip

Also Start> Run > type in regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

*******

How do you connect to internet? Will your browser open? Does it show no connection if you try to get to google? Have you restarted after the Exe fix?

 

...A window said that the dll was a success. So I guess they are all restored. Sorry, I am not real sure how that helps though:confused

I use IE and the browser opens but nothing appears on the page no matter what site I got to. When tried a update on avg I saw nothing but later it said update was successful.

I will now check into the zip issue

 

On the linkfile.zip above. You have to unzip the file that downloads and then double-click the .reg file on the messed up PC. It should restore Shortcut(.lnk) file associations.

 

I have the cd in the drive, but when I select that drive in explore and double click I get the message that windows cannot open the file.

I know I was able to access the cd from the regedit.exe, file, import, location.
I am not to sure of another way to open the file.

 

Sorry, I should have said you have to unzip the file on the working PC to get the .reg file and then put the .reg on the messed up one and import it.

 

Nothing you did. I did have the file unzipped. I just tried running it from the drive by double clicking on it.
I imported it into the reg. editor saying it was a success, but nothing changed. I rebooted and tried the system restore one more time with nothing changing that I can see.
This must be becoming a pain for you...sorry.

 

I sort of expected it was just going to be exe files that were the problem. Can you tell me what are the current problems? Can you open most programs? Are shortcuts working? Are icons missing?

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On the internet problem.
Do you use Outlook Express? Can it access the internet?

If you go to Start>Control Panel>Network Connections and right-click on your LAN connection is there an Enable or a Disable option?

 

I can access most programs through the start menu, but not from the desktop icons, which all are there.

I go on line, but not text or pics are displayed in the browser window. I can go on line with Outlook Express.

There is no Lan connection icon, text or anything elso to click on at that location.

 

Are you on dial-up or broadband internet?

When you go online in IE do you get a connection error in the browser window or just a blank page?

If you right-click on a desktop icon for a program, select Properties is there an address in the target box? If you push the find target button does your program start?

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I have to think about what is causing the Internet problem. It is probably related to file associations.

Edit: in MyComputer>tools>Folder Options>File Types look for URL:File Transfer Protocol
Highlight it, Select Advanced Button, Edit Button let me know what it has for Action:, Application: and Topic:
Just cancel out of it when done.

 

Sach2 you are the man!!
I decided to try the Dell reformat feature one more time cntl + F11, this time it worked. Must have been all the fix's you lead me through.
Everything (so far) seems fine.
Can't thank you enough for all your help and time. :-D

 

Good! Glad things are OK!