Desktop Icons

[Guest]

My desktop icons not longer work-error message says .lnk file can't find
program to open. Program files saved to my desktop also don't run and the run
command from Start button has disappeared. Some Control Panel items also
don't open eg System icon.

My 15 yo son uses this computer--what has he done?

Thanks

 

[Guest]

Try right clicking on the shorcut, click on find target. All shortcut icons
are are reference points to the program buried in the C: drive. The find
target button you can find by right clicking the icon, left click properties,
shortcut tab. If find target opens a folder then the icon on the desktop is
bad. Make a new shortcut from the file that the window opened. If Find Target
didnt open a folder, then the directory has either been moved, which would
cause a shortcut icon not to work, or the program (im assuming) has been
deleted.

 

[Taurarian]

Windows® XP File Association Fixes
Copyright 2003 - Doug Knox
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

Information about malware:
http://arstechnica.com/articles/paedia/malware.ars

The below links assist you in checking your system for parasites:-
http://aumha.org/a/noads.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm
Please note that some malware may kill the internet connection when it is removed,
the program on the link below will enable you to regain the internet connection.
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by third-party software
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;827315

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/default.mspx
Fight Spyware – articles by Microsoft

Spyware Programs links:-
www.lavasoftusa.com Ad-Aware
www.security.kolla.de Spybot

SpywareBlaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Downloadable McAfee AVERT Stinger:
Stinger: http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/
stand-alone utility used to detect and remove specific viruses. It is not a
substitute for full anti-virus protection, but rather a tool to assist
administrators and users when dealing with an infected system. Stinger utilizes
next generation scan engine technology, including process scanning, digitally
signed DAT files, and scan performance optimizations.

Perhaps an online security/virus check
Symantec
http://security.norton.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym
Trend Micro House Call:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
Panda ActiveScan;
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm
McAfee FreeScan:
http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp
Kaspersky Labs On-line Virus Checker:
http://www.kaspersky.com/remoteviruschk.html
BitDefender Online Scan:
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/licence.php

Free anti virus programs
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl7.php
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

 

[Guest]

As far as the option for RUN not being in your start button, get into your
control panel, open Taskbar and Start Menu. On the next window, click
Customize, Then clck Advanced tab on the new window. In the Start Menu items
box, make sure that Run command is marked. If it is, try toggleing it (unmark
it, click OK button till windows close, then go back in and mark it, OK till
windows close.

 

[Guest]

I have the exact same problem. Were you able to fix it? Would a system
restore work?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Windows® XP File Association Fixes
Copyright 2003 - Doug Knox
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

You want this one...

LNK (Shortcut) File Association Fix (Restores Default Shortcut Behavior)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[Guest]

Thank you. A combination of the lnk and exe shortcuts did the trick. Any idea
how this happens to stop it from recurring?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

I honestly do not know what causes this. But, you know where the fixes are
now.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In