File Association Problem

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Guest

My C drive ran out of disk space, after importing a large number of outlook
express email messages into MSOutlook. So, I configured system settings to
put my windows swap file on D: instead of C. After I rebooting my machines, I
am not able to run any executable files from the command line or by double
clicking on the exe file. However, when clicking on a data file associated
with a particular program, the program launches properly. For example: if I
click on notepad.exe, nothing happens, but if I click on a text file, notepad
runs and properly displays the file. If I type in 'cmd' from the 'run' dialog
box to bring up a command prompt, I get a dialog box telling me 'Windows
cannot open this file - command.exe' and it presents me the option to pick a
program from a list, etc.

I tried restoring the registry from a backup, but this didn't help. I ran a
Windows repair installation, but this did not help either. (Recovery options
are disabled on this machine.) How do I fix this without reinstalling windows
and all of my software?
 
What happens if you logon as a new user? (create a new account in 'User
Accounts').

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| My C drive ran out of disk space, after importing a large number of
outlook
| express email messages into MSOutlook. So, I configured system settings to
| put my windows swap file on D: instead of C. After I rebooting my
machines, I
| am not able to run any executable files from the command line or by double
| clicking on the exe file. However, when clicking on a data file associated
| with a particular program, the program launches properly. For example: if
I
| click on notepad.exe, nothing happens, but if I click on a text file,
notepad
| runs and properly displays the file. If I type in 'cmd' from the 'run'
dialog
| box to bring up a command prompt, I get a dialog box telling me 'Windows
| cannot open this file - command.exe' and it presents me the option to pick
a
| program from a list, etc.
|
| I tried restoring the registry from a backup, but this didn't help. I ran
a
| Windows repair installation, but this did not help either. (Recovery
options
| are disabled on this machine.) How do I fix this without reinstalling
windows
| and all of my software?
|
 
Same answer as in microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin

command.exe is not an XP file. Command.com or cmd.exe are the proper XP
files.

You have a trojan/virus/worm.

COMMAND.EXE is either...
[[a process belonging to the Adtomi advertising program by Adtomi.com. This
process monitors your browsing habits and distributes the data back to the
author's servers for analysis. This also prompts advertising popups. This
program is a registered security risk and should be removed immediately. ]]
or
[[a process which is registered as the Trojan.W32.Feebs worm. This virus is
distributed via the Internet through e-mail and comes in the form of an
e-mail message, in the hopes that you open it’s hostile attachment. The worm
has it’s own SMTP engine which means it gathers E-mails from your local
computer and re-distributes itself. In worst cases this worm can allow
attackers to access your computer, stealing passwords and personal data. It
is a registered security risk and should be removed immediately. ]]

First....

Update your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

Do the same for whatever anti-spyware applications that you have.

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

Read the instructions. Then get...

EXE File Association Fix (Restore default association for EXE files)

See the following also...

EXE files always open with Notepad or any other application
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/exeasso.htm

Cannot run EXE files - Programs don't open
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/exefile.htm

You receive an error message when you try to start a program that has an
..exe file name extension
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=837334

You Are Unable to Start a Program with an .exe File Extension
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=310585

You cannot start programs when your computer is infected with the SirCam
virus
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=311446


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
Mikey_N said:
My C drive ran out of disk space, after importing a large number of
outlook express email messages into MSOutlook. So, I configured system
settings to put my windows swap file on D: instead of C. After I
rebooting my machines, I am not able to run any executable files from the
command line or by double clicking on the exe file. However, when
clicking on a data file associated with a particular program, the program
launches properly. For example: if I click on notepad.exe, nothing
happens, but if I click on a text file, notepad runs and properly
displays the file. If I type in 'cmd' from the 'run' dialog box to bring
up a command prompt, I get a dialog box telling me 'Windows cannot open
this file - command.exe' and it presents me the option to pick a program
from a list, etc.

I tried restoring the registry from a backup, but this didn't help. I ran
a Windows repair installation, but this did not help either. (Recovery
options are disabled on this machine.) How do I fix this without
reinstalling windows and all of my software?
Click to expand...

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
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