.exe files stopped working

[jbclem]

Yesterday, for no apparent reason, all my .exe files stopped working. I can run some exe files from a DOS program called XTREE GOLD, but in Windows 2000 nothing will work. I have the use of the internet so I ran some online virus scans and cleared out a few viruses, but that didn't change the problem. At the same time this happened, most of the desktop icons reverted back to the default Windows icon.

I tried to run my bootable Win2000 CD to try a repair, but after the BIOS recognizes it the bootup gets stuck on this line: "Boot from ATAPI CD-ROM. (no emulation system type (-.06)". So I can't even try that avenue. I have to Bios set to check the CD ROM 1st during the bootup.

I'd really appreciate some ideas or directions to point me towards a solution for this problem. My computer is basically useless right now.

John

[Quantax]

Reboot while holding down the F8 key and select the option to start up with the "last known good configuration."

After doing the virus check did you also check for possible spyware?

[Paul Komski]

Maybe check out http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=26712

[jbclem]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'd already tried F8 and Restore last known good configuration. On the FileExt web site (How to fix a broken .exe association) the instructions look interesting, but aren't for Windows 2000. I don't know if the XP registry is similiar, but I note that my Registry doesn't have the HK_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile entry. Any thoughts on this?

John

[jbclem]

I also managed to run (from DOS) SpyBot and a few worm fix programs. Also ran The Cleaner. Situation is still present.

John

[classicsoftware]

Can you boot into safe mode? You defeinetly have a virus of some kind. Do you have up to date anti virus software? You should be able to boot into safe mode and kill the bug. By the way what virus did the on-line scan report?

[jbclem]

The viruses that were found were some in real old email, and some others that were in locations that indicated to me they had been on the computer for some time. There were also some "infected files". I didn't write down the names of the viruses because they seemed to be from some time ago. I ran RAV from a web site and although that didn't delete the files it did list them and I deleted them. I was able to download Panda Titanium on another computer and transfer it over on a LAN. I couldn't updata it(I don't seem to have access to certain antivirus web sites), but it ran during the installation and did a complete scan. This was two days ago so I don't remember what, if anything, it found, but everything found was taken care of. I also ran some individual anti worm programs but they didn't find anything. I ran SpyBot and the Cleaner(all these were run from a Dos file management program). I've tried to update Panda a number of times but I can't, just like I can't run the Panda online virus scan. If I could figure out how to do this over the LAN I could try it from the other computer.

I started up in safe mode but the same problem was in effect. You said I could kill the bug from safe mode, what did you mean by that? And I don't know what bug to kill.

What I want to do is figure out how to restore the association for .exe files so I can run my applications. Then I can upgrade the antivirus software I have and look again for viruses. Any idea where I can find out how to do that.

John

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[Paleo Pete]

See if you can boot into Safe Mode, get online and try the Trend Micro (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/) online virus scan.

Not being able to access certain antivirus sites makes me even more suspicious of a virus. Hopefully booting into Safe Mode won't let it run, and you might be able to make some progress.

Also, manually deleting files might not have done the trick, if anything was missed, or if they were left in the recycle bin and the machine was rebooted...viruses can be nasty critters. Also, the emails containing the original files should be deleted, to avoid future problems.

As if that's not enough, get ready for a complete format and reinstall, some viruses leave you no choice, and nay time one has been on the computer for a while it usually corrupts so many files that tends to be the only way to get it back to normal.

Since you have already tried booting to the CD ROM, if you still want to try and reinstall that way, UNPLUG the machine completely for a couple of minutes, so the capacitors can drain down and no power will be keeping anything in RAM. If it still won't boot to the CD ROM it's either a hardware problem or a virus that affects BIOS or boot sector.

Knowing the names of the viruses that have been removed would really help, then we could look up info on them and have an idea whether any of them are capable of hitting BIOS or the Master Boot Record.