Strange Windows problems....

WinXP Pro SP3. Here's what's going: some programs install and run just fine (like MalwareBytes Anti-malware for example), other programs install just fine but will not run (like Revo Uninstaller for example) and they do not error out or anything, they simply do nothing when you double click the desktop shortcut or the .exe file, and yet other programs won't even install (like Super AntiSpyware for example) and these error out with the message that they aren't valid Win32 files (a screen shot is attached below). So, what's the deal? I have run some malware scans (when the app installed and ran OK) and I have removed some infections, but nothing really evil; mostly adware type stuff like MyWebSearch, ShopperReports, HotBar, etc. I have run the system file checker, I have run Dial-A-Fix. I'm toying with the idea of a repair install of Windows, but it looks like the owner of this PC has done numerous repair installs and I'm wary of trying another one because they "can't lose anything on drive C:! Everything has to be 100% perfect and intact". So, any ideas out there in MG land?
THANKS!

 

It is possible that you have an infection that is capable of preventing you from installing any program that could detect or remove it.try changing the file name of the program you want to install,if the file name is revo.exe then change it to 1revo.exe to stop the infection recognising it as a threat.
if the program then installs you can be fairly sure that you have an infection.

 

Yeah, I know there's a new crop of malware that doesn't allow the installation of certain apps, but that isn't what's going on here.... I've already tried renaming these things, and it's not just AV/AS apps that won't install... there's no pattern to it... basic stuff like drive defraggers won't install but Malwarebytes did and it runs fine :confused

 

I got no solution for you but have ran into this on my personal machine. I regedit'ed myself in corruption (just playing around.) I fear not a fresh install, I time myself in how fast I can get back to 'exactly where I was' before I fubared it. I never go for a repair, always a full install. Why not just back everything up and go fresh? That would make it 100% perfect, the intact part, well you know...

 

Thanks for the suggestions.... I just discovered that everything on drive C: is set to "Read Only". Even if I create a new folder on C:, it immediately is set to "Read Only" and it's impossible to change it. I've tried using the attrib -r command from a command prompt window and it didn't change the status; I have tried right-clicking on a folder and unchecking the "Read Only" box, again with no change in the status of the folder. All the folders on C: are set as "Read Only", even Program Files, and Documents & Settings... everything. I'm 99% sure this is the root of the problem. I have tried installing other programs, some error out right away, some start installing and error out later, and others install completely and run just fine (like Burn Aware for example). So, I'm ata bit of a loss here, but I am going to start backing up data to an external, so when the PCs owner comes back in to town, I'll be prepared.... if anyone has any ideas, feel free to post!
THANKS!

(BTW- I've run into malware in the past that locks folders to "Read Only" and I've only been able to fix this once or twice; the other times I had to re-format and reload Windows clean )

 

On the Security tab for C: do you have full control? Try adding your user name specifically and giving full control.

 

:confused There is no 'security' tab. If I right click on C: and select "Sharing and Security" or "Properties" there is no security tab. I went looking for it earlier and found it odd that the tab wasn't there. I have reason to believe there's a deeply buried rootkit in this PC. I have been able to "force" GMER (the rootkit scanner) to run and it has shown me what's going on, and it does appear to be at least one (possibly more) rootkit active on this PC. :banghead The owner of this PC made it VERY clear that formatting was not an option, but they just might have to accept it. They got themselves into this, and they're asking me to get 'em out, and I really think a format is the way to go here... but I will attempt to remove the rootkit(s), but as we all know, rootkits are very tricky to successfully remove completely.

 

I mostly keep my antispyware on C drive itself. It may put a small folder in the location that is in the screenshot you provided, but only a few KBs.
Try finding the actual program in the Programs folder, open the folder, find the .exe for the program, right click and select send to desktop(create shortcut)
What can you lose by trying?

 

Umm, I forgot you have to disable simple file sharing to see the security tab. http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/...ecurity-tab-found-in-windows-xp-professional/