I lost my file associations and nothing opens!!!

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  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hi folks,

I have an xp computer that must have been hacked or caught a virus.
It boots up fine, but all the desktop icons have the little windows logo,
instead of the icon picture that used to be there. When I click on any
program, I get an error that stated can not find program.exe, or something
to that effect, and asks me what program to use to open the file. Same
thing with regedit, can't find the file. The file and folder view utility has
all the file extensions listed correctly, so I have no clue what to do other
than format and re-install the OS. Is there another way to get the
file associations back and have the programs open again???
Please help!! and thanks in advance, everyone.
 
Hi Bill,

Click Start, Run and type command.com
Type REGEDIT in Command Prompt.
If you're still unable to launch the Registry Editor, type these commands in
the Prompt:

cd\windows
copy regedit.exe regedit.com
start regedit.com

Navigate to this registry key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
Double-click (default) and set it's value to "exefile" without quotes.

Navigate to this registry key:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

In the right-pane, double-click (default) and set it's value to the
following (exactly as given):

"%1" %*

Close Regedit. Once you regain the .exe association, follow-up with a virus
scan. Try Trend Micro's Sysclean package (free), it's capable of eliminating
keyloggers, trojans etc. Full instructions at:

Generic Trojan / Adware Infestation Removal Procedure:
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html

Trend Micro Sysclean package
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=10820
 
Thanks, this sure beats reinstalling the whole system!!!!!
Glad you gave me the trick to get regedit open again,
I can usually navigate to the right keys and fix problems,
but without regedit, what can you do!!!
thanks again,
 
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