Can't access control panel and other items from the GUI

[Guest]

I am having a very weird problem that even a non-destructive re-install of
windows was unable to fix:

Even though my control panel loads, clicking on any of the items (in either
classic or category view) does nothing. Right-clicking on My Computer and
clicking on properties does nothing. Right-clicking on the desktop and
clicking on properties does nothing. Right-clicking on "add new hardware"
icon in the system tray and selecting "Safely remove hardware" does nohting.

However, in the "c:\windows\system32" directory, running "start sysdem.cpl"
or *any* other .cpl file correctly loads them. Since I don't want to have to
do this to be able to change windows settings (since I can't change any of
them at the present), I really need this issue fixed.

Thanks in advance!

Robbie

 

[Guest]

For anybody that may be experiencing the problem, it turns out the cause is a
virus. Symantec Antivirus (with updated definitions) could not detect or
remove this virus. I found it by checking my task manager and using
msconfig.msi to look at startup items. This particular virus (Protoride
worm) because it modifies the registry so that any .exe file that is run will
re-load the virus (which actually allowed me to find the virus).

Here is the key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

I think other viruses change this key (whichc is only run on startup):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

I'm not sure what more one can do to detect and remove viruses if the virus
detector can't.

Good Luck!