Windows will not launch applications

[Knut arne Vedaa]

I've run into the following strange problem. When trying to launch any .EXE file, Windows will either: say that it does not know how to open the file, or try to load it into Adobe Reader. Thus, Adobe is the only application that will launch, in addition to Explorer.

In safe mode with command line only, most applications will launch, but control panel applets will not - thus it is not possible to roll back using System Restore.

It seems to me that there may be some kind of erraneous file association with .EXE files, but I have no idea where in the registry to start searching for it.

This is not my own computer, but from what I understood the problem appeared after some trouble with installing/uninstalling Norton IS.

Any advice?


Knut Arne Vedaa

[Sylvander]

Run a repair re-installation of Windows [XP?]; that should fix the file associations.

Once your PC is working well once again, set up a system of backup.
You should be able to make and restore these backups from outside windows.
Move all but the Windows and Program Files folders off the C: partition.
Relocate all your personal data files [My documents, emails, address book, favourites] that change rapidly with time to a separate small [old HDD or] partition of their own.
Backup all partitions as suits their individual needs.
When you so much as suspect a software problem, then [reformat if necessary and] restore a backup of your choice to obtain a suitable set of working software.

[Knut arne Vedaa]

Thanks for your reply. Actually, the tricks from here: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm did it.

[Sylvander]

What do you intend to do about making backups? :)

[Knut arne Vedaa]

Nothing at all, it's not my computer. :)

But you are right: things would have been a lot easier if the OS by default let all data reside on a seperate partition.

[Sylvander]

I have all my data on partitions other than C: and when I restore an image of [a minimalist] C: only the programs [and their configurations] "jump back" to when all was well and the data remains untouched.

I can use Killdisk = www.killdisk.com/downloadfree.htm to zero-fill C: only before I restore C:

All this is done from a bootable CD or floppy.