Very strange issue with Windows 2000

About a week ago I logged onto my Windows 2000 computer and noticed that things are behaving really strangly. I'm wondering if I've got a virus or something else.

One issue is that I can no longer get online. No matter what url I try I get "invalid syntax error" in the title bar. Yet, when I ping an external url, I'm getting responses.

Also equally troubling is the look of my program windows and start menu. On the start menu the arrows have been replaced by a mouse symbol/icon. And on program windows, instead of the top right hand Minimize, Maximize, Close buttons, I now have a closed folder, open folder and square instead...though they do all work as normal ones should.

I've included a screenshot of my desktop to show you what I mean.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be happening here? I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks!

 

Anyone have a clue about this?

Forgot to mention also that when I attempt to open some files or software, it instead tries to open the file in question with WinZip..even though its not a zip file.

Anyone at all please?

 

Click on Start > Run > and type regsvr32 urlmon.dll then click OK.

See if it helps anything. Just guessing here.

Steve

 

That didn't seem to change anything. Thanks for the help though.

 

When you get a chance restart the computer.

Steve

 

Also, following the same procedure, re-register these.

• Shdocvw.dll
• Actxprxy.dll
• Oleaut32.dll
• Mshtml.dll
• Browseui.dll
• Shell32.dll

Steve

 

Thanks I'll try those. Restarting now, it's taking forever...I'm sure that's related to this issue as well.

I'll report back on my progress.

 

Do I need to restart after all/each of these procudures?

 

No. Go ahead and enter those then restart.

Steve

 

I finally had a chance to enter those commands, then do a restart. I am not seeing any improvement. It still has all of the same problems.

Any others suggestions out there?

 

One last try. Any other suggestions out there???

Thanks for any help.

 

I doubt if I can help, as I've never seen this before, but what scans have you used?

Also, have you done anything to clean up your OS?
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=106650