.exe files won't initialize-on desktop or through start button

[Guest]

I posted this a little earlier and thought I'd explain it hopefully a bit
clearer. I believe last night after I had downloaded and installed 3 windows
security updates (not sp 2) something started going wrong before I restarted
the computer. I presently cannot get any program to work. The error message I
get has the .exe file I'm trying to use with application error next to it
then below it says"The application failed to initialize properly
(0xc0000142).Click OK to terminate the application. I am able to open folders
on the desktop but shortcuts merit this error message. I would list the
updates I downloaded but I'm unable to get anything that uses rundll32.exe to
work like the Add/Remove Programs. Also system restore cannot restore my
computer to any point no matter if I'm logged in as admin or anyone else or
any time I choose. The only programs I can use are the ones that are loaded
from the system tray like my DSL support tool that gives me internet access
after checking my connection.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Try the .exe file association fix at www.dougknox.com under WinXP Fixes/file
association fixes.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

I really appreciate the help "NutCase". I found the file you were speaking
of but when it tried to run I got the same error I've been getting all along
because it was trying to use regedit.exe apparently to apply the fix.
Again thanks and Merry Christmas. If you got any other ideas let me know.

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Scott,

Meanwhile, try this:

Click Start/Run and type "Command.com"
Type REGEDIT in Command Prompt.
Click File, Import and select the .exe reg fix that you've d/loaded and unzipped, and merge it.

If you're still unable to launch REGEDIT.EXE, try this from Command Prompt (command.com)

cd\windows
copy regedit.exe regedit.com
start regedit.com [or regedit.com]

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


I really appreciate the help "NutCase". I found the file you were speaking
of but when it tried to run I got the same error I've been getting all along
because it was trying to use regedit.exe apparently to apply the fix.
Again thanks and Merry Christmas. If you got any other ideas let me know.

 

[Guest]

I also downloaded the security updates yesterday and am having the identical
problem that Scott describes.

 

[Guest]

I was able to load both the "fixes" recommended by Nutcase in the command
prompt in safe mode. Unfortuanately neither helped my problems. Just for
posterity sake the 3 windows updates I downloaded before I started having
problems were:KB885836,KB873339,KB885835. I don't know if those caused this
or not but I'm hoping you guys have some more ideas to try. I'm also
wondering if getting my system restore to work would fix this and why thats
not working.

Scott,

Meanwhile, try this:

Click Start/Run and type "Command.com"
Type REGEDIT in Command Prompt.
Click File, Import and select the .exe reg fix that you've d/loaded and unzipped, and merge it.

If you're still unable to launch REGEDIT.EXE, try this from Command Prompt (command.com)

cd\windows
copy regedit.exe regedit.com
start regedit.com [or regedit.com]

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


I really appreciate the help "NutCase". I found the file you were speaking
of but when it tried to run I got the same error I've been getting all along
because it was trying to use regedit.exe apparently to apply the fix.
Again thanks and Merry Christmas. If you got any other ideas let me know.

Hi,

Try the .exe file association fix at www.dougknox.com under WinXP Fixes/file
association fixes.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

Ed if you have ZoneAlarm installed look further down this newgroup for a
topic similar to this one that includes the solution that worked for me. I
had to uninstall ZoneAlarm and later installed an older version so everything
would work right.

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Also system restore cannot restore my computer to any point no matter if I'm logged in as admin or anyone else or
any time I choose.

Scott,

Do you get any error message while initiating a System Restore rollback? You may try it again from Safe Mode Command Prompt. Also, I'm not clear if the 'application error' message is seen only for Rundll32.exe stuff or for all the executables?

HOW TO: Start the System Restore Tool from a Command Prompt in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304449

Other options which I can think of:

1. From Command Prompt, run SFC /Scannow to restore missing/corrupt system files (if any).
-or-
2. Create a XP SP2 slipstreamed CD and then run a Repair installation. Use these guides:

Slipstreaming Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Create Bootable CD - HelpWithWindows.com:
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install:
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


I was able to load both the "fixes" recommended by Nutcase in the command
prompt in safe mode. Unfortuanately neither helped my problems. Just for
posterity sake the 3 windows updates I downloaded before I started having
problems were:KB885836,KB873339,KB885835. I don't know if those caused this
or not but I'm hoping you guys have some more ideas to try. I'm also
wondering if getting my system restore to work would fix this and why thats
not working.

Scott,

Meanwhile, try this:

Click Start/Run and type "Command.com"
Type REGEDIT in Command Prompt.
Click File, Import and select the .exe reg fix that you've d/loaded and unzipped, and merge it.

If you're still unable to launch REGEDIT.EXE, try this from Command Prompt (command.com)

cd\windows
copy regedit.exe regedit.com
start regedit.com [or regedit.com]

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


I really appreciate the help "NutCase". I found the file you were speaking
of but when it tried to run I got the same error I've been getting all along
because it was trying to use regedit.exe apparently to apply the fix.
Again thanks and Merry Christmas. If you got any other ideas let me know.

Hi,

Try the .exe file association fix at www.dougknox.com under WinXP Fixes/file
association fixes.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

<snip>

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Scott,

Another thing I would do is check the system for spy and ad programs, as
they may be interfering with proper operations of the system. These programs
can help:

Adaware www.lavasoft.de
Spybot www.safer-networking.org

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

I was able to load both the "fixes" recommended by Nutcase in the command
prompt in safe mode. Unfortuanately neither helped my problems. Just for
posterity sake the 3 windows updates I downloaded before I started having
problems were:KB885836,KB873339,KB885835. I don't know if those caused
this
or not but I'm hoping you guys have some more ideas to try. I'm also
wondering if getting my system restore to work would fix this and why
thats
not working.

Scott,

Meanwhile, try this:

Click Start/Run and type "Command.com"
Type REGEDIT in Command Prompt.
Click File, Import and select the .exe reg fix that you've d/loaded and
unzipped, and merge it.

If you're still unable to launch REGEDIT.EXE, try this from Command
Prompt (command.com)

cd\windows
copy regedit.exe regedit.com
start regedit.com [or regedit.com]

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org


I really appreciate the help "NutCase". I found the file you were
speaking
of but when it tried to run I got the same error I've been getting all
along
because it was trying to use regedit.exe apparently to apply the fix.
Again thanks and Merry Christmas. If you got any other ideas let me
know.

Hi,

Try the .exe file association fix at www.dougknox.com under WinXP
Fixes/file
association fixes.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

I posted this a little earlier and thought I'd explain it hopefully a
bit
clearer. I believe last night after I had downloaded and installed 3
windows
security updates (not sp 2) something started going wrong before I
restarted
the computer. I presently cannot get any program to work. The error
message I
get has the .exe file I'm trying to use with application error next
to it
then below it says"The application failed to initialize properly
(0xc0000142).Click OK to terminate the application. I am able to open
folders
on the desktop but shortcuts merit this error message. I would list
the
updates I downloaded but I'm unable to get anything that uses
rundll32.exe
to
work like the Add/Remove Programs. Also system restore cannot
restore my
computer to any point no matter if I'm logged in as admin or anyone
else
or
any time I choose. The only programs I can use are the ones that are
loaded
from the system tray like my DSL support tool that gives me internet
access
after checking my connection.