i think this is a virus?

Discussion in 'Malware Help - MG (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by shadowfx, Dec 17, 2004.

  1. shadowfx

    shadowfx Private E-2

    i went to start up my computer, then when it finished loaded, i had no pictures for my programs on desktop. they just come up as blank icons. this is also the case for any file that uses a program to run (including .exe files). because of this, i cannot run any antivirus, spyware or even access the internet (i am currently on another computer). is this a virus? and if so, how do i remove it??

    eg. If i try to open my browser, it will say-
    Windows cannot open the file:
    File: Mozilla Firefox.Ink

    Do you want to, conenct to web and search, select prog from list.

    If I search in the directory where it is installed, the icons are also blank.

    ????... thanks for any help
     
    shadowfx, Dec 17, 2004
    #1
  2. shadowfx

    shadowfx Private E-2

    bump
     
    shadowfx, Dec 19, 2004
    #2
  3. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    You should have supplied an OS! Sounds like you make have a problem with file associations and maybe even the whole user profile. Do you have other user accounts on the PC? If so, try them and see if there is a problem. If not, try creating one and see it there is still a problem.


    The next step would be the below:

    First, please follow ALL the steps in this Sticky thread READ ME FIRST BEFORE ASKING FOR SUPPORT: Basic Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal
    If you already have any of the programs linked in the tutorial please double check your version to make sure you have the latest one and that you have any/all updates for the programs.

    NOTE: In order to resolve the issues you are having it is very important that you at least try to perform all the steps as outlined. If you have any difficulty please post back letting us know what steps you have completed, what you found while doing the scans if anything and details about any problems you have encountered in completing the steps. The more details you can provide the better.
     
    chaslang, Dec 19, 2004
    #3
  4. shadowfx

    shadowfx Private E-2

    oops sorry. im running windows xp, sp1 build 2600 (i think?), like i said before, i cant access any exe files, i also cant get onto the net from that computer, because i cant get into IE or mozilla, etc. so i cant run any antiviruses, spyware removers, and whatnot. I also tried to create a new user account, but it won't let me get into the 'user accounts' menu in control panel. :confused:
     
    shadowfx, Dec 20, 2004
    #4
  5. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    What error message (exact wording) do you get?

    Have you checked file associations?

    Is anything different in safe mode?
     
    chaslang, Dec 21, 2004
    #5
  6. shadowfx

    shadowfx Private E-2

    Um. I dont get an error message when trying to access User Accounts, it just doesn't do anything when i double click on it. Ive even tried highlighting it and pressing enter just to be sure. nothing. what do you mean by checking file associations?
     
    shadowfx, Dec 21, 2004
    #6
  7. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    To check file associations, click Start and select Explore. Then on the top menu click Tools and Folder Options. Now select the File Types tab. It will show your registered file types. So for example an HTML extension should be shown with the icon for your browser (like the "e" for Internet Explore).

    But for built-in file types like .exe and many others you will have to look in the registry. I forget where this is at right now. I think at least part of it is in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

    Do you have any other user accounts already created?

    Are things any different if you boot in safe mode?
     
    chaslang, Dec 21, 2004
    #7
  8. shadowfx

    shadowfx Private E-2

    all my file types are okay, like mp3 it says WMP, html it says mozilla. The same thing happens if I run the computer in safe mode, and it also happens if bi use the adminstrator account. i think i may just give up and format. one more thing though, when i went to format my computer last time, you know how when you boot from the windows xp pro cd, it comes up with a screen asking what you want to do, which partition to use, etc? Last time when i booted from the cd, it automatically installed windows onto my next partition (windows was already on c:, it installed onto d:). i didnt even press anything.??
     
    shadowfx, Dec 21, 2004
    #8
  9. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    I'm not sure what to make of this. I know there is something that has messed up your user accounts and file associations for built-ins file types but I'm not sure of the fix. You could try checking in the Software Forum before resorting to a format. But first go here: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

    And try running a few of the fixes for associations. Start with :
    EXE File Association Fix (Restore default association for EXE files)

    and see if it fixes your inability to run executables.

    Then try some of the other ones.
     
    chaslang, Dec 22, 2004
    #9

MajorGeeks.Com Menu

Downloads All In One Tweaks \ Android \ Anti-Malware \ Anti-Virus \ Appearance \ Backup \ Browsers \ CD\DVD\Blu-Ray \ Covert Ops \ Drive Utilities \ Drivers \ Graphics \ Internet Tools \ Multimedia \ Networking \ Office Tools \ PC Games \ System Tools \ Mac/Apple/Ipad Downloads

Other News: Top Downloads \ News (Tech) \ Off Base (Other Websites News) \ Way Off Base (Offbeat Stories and Pics)

Social: Facebook \ YouTube \ Twitter \ Tumblr \ Pintrest \ RSS Feeds