I'm unable to open any of my programs -- virus???

[Guest]

Hi. I'm in so much need of help right now it is not even funny. On July 26 I
updated my computer with the following updates:

Security Update for Windows XP (KB917159)
Security Update for Windows XP (KB914388)
Update for Windows XP (KB916595)
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - July 2006 (KB890830)

Afterwards, I had to restart the computer. And then all the problems
started. First, I get error messages from the programs that normally
autostarts - none of them will start. Then all the icons/short-cuts for the
different programs I have on my desktop are some generic-looking kind and
when you double click a standard message tells me it can not open the file.
The only files working are the "Recycle bin", "Unused desktop Shortcuts", and
all the links for online websites. Even when I go to the actual folder where
the program is located the icon looks generic but it says that it is an exe
file even when I check the exe file with properties. Double clicking on the
icon doesn't do anything at all.

The problem is that I can't run any of all my protection programs and virus
programs to check my computer.

Did I somehow catch a virus or is there a corrupt file somewhere that I can
delete. Obviously, I can't even run the "Add-Remove" program or the "System
Restore" program.

I really need some serious help right now since me keeping banging my head
against the monitor doesn't seem to help.

 

[Guest]

you can run restore from safe mode, pressing the f8 key at the boot menu (or)
you can also do a windows repair via your windows cd.... try the safemode
first...I recall, an restore point is always automatically made whenever
windows updates itself.... hope its indere

 

[Eva Gustavsson]

Why does this happen? My friend got this last Friday too. She said her XP Home
downloaded updates and she
said OK to install them at shutdown. The installation hanged and the problem was
there. Today we tried to uninstall
all the updates (6 of them) that she installed Friday but it didn't help.
Don't know what else to do?
Any ideas other than reinstall XP? Sounds like an elephant shotgun to get rid of
mosquitous.

Thanks
--Caj

 

[DatabaseBen]

can you get into safemode without problems?

Why does this happen? My friend got this last Friday too. She said her XP
Home
downloaded updates and she
said OK to install them at shutdown. The installation hanged and the
problem was
there. Today we tried to uninstall
all the updates (6 of them) that she installed Friday but it didn't help.
Don't know what else to do?
Any ideas other than reinstall XP? Sounds like an elephant shotgun to get
rid of
mosquitous.

Thanks
--Caj