I can't open any .exe files

[Gene]

I can't open any .exe files other
than explorer, all of my icons in the program list and
desktop have an iexplorer icon. It seems that my file
types are messed up. I also get the message "Windows
cannot open this file"(needs to know what created
program) when I try to open anything, including system
restore, msconfig, regedit, etc.

Any ideas? what could be causing this in the first place?

So far I've received following advice, but have not had a
chance to try it yet:

-----------------------------------------------------
For starters check to see if the drive letter these
programs are located on has changed (for example drive C
is now D in My Computer. Navigate directly to the program
you want to run and open it insted of using the shortcut
and see if it opens that way. For example to open
regedit: Go to My Computer and navigate here
C:\WINDOWS\regedit

 

[kev]

I have seen this before, in our situation somehow the
HKLM\software\classes\* -> .hlp Keys were deleted, which included the .exe
key, so the OS does not know how to handle any .exe files. Create a text
file called class.reg (note the extension) with the following text:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.exe]
@="exefile"
"Content Type"="application/x-msdownload"


right click on the file and choose Merge, this should allow you to run .exe
programs. Now you should run a system restore (Click on Start - Programs -
Accessories - System Tools - System Restore) and choose the day before this
problem started. If the HKLM\software\classes\.reg key is missing you will
not be able to merge the file, in this case you will need to boot from the
XP cd and use the command console to add the keys to the registry. I don't
remember the process for this so you will have to do some research on this
method.

Kev

 

[Gene]

Thanks, I'll give it a try

-----Original Message-----
I have seen this before, in our situation somehow the
HKLM\software\classes\* -> .hlp Keys were deleted, which included the .exe
key, so the OS does not know how to handle any .exe files. Create a text
file called class.reg (note the extension) with the following text:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\.exe]
@="exefile"
"Content Type"="application/x-msdownload"


right click on the file and choose Merge, this should allow you to run .exe
programs. Now you should run a system restore (Click on Start - Programs -
Accessories - System Tools - System Restore) and choose the day before this
problem started. If the HKLM\software\classes\.reg key is missing you will
not be able to merge the file, in this case you will need to boot from the
XP cd and use the command console to add the keys to the registry. I don't
remember the process for this so you will have to do some research on this
method.

Kev

I can't open any .exe files other
than explorer, all of my icons in the program list and
desktop have an iexplorer icon. It seems that my file
types are messed up. I also get the message "Windows
cannot open this file"(needs to know what created
program) when I try to open anything, including system
restore, msconfig, regedit, etc.

Any ideas? what could be causing this in the first place?

So far I've received following advice, but have not had a
chance to try it yet:

-----------------------------------------------------
For starters check to see if the drive letter these
programs are located on has changed (for example drive C
is now D in My Computer. Navigate directly to the program
you want to run and open it insted of using the shortcut
and see if it opens that way. For example to open
regedit: Go to My Computer and navigate here
C:\WINDOWS\regedit

.