laptop cannot run any programs

[Guest]

Desktop has no icons, but does have a nice background picture. Cannot run
any programs from the start button and the programs that are listed just have
the default icon on them. When trying to use the run command to run a
program (cmd.exe for example) the error "This file does not have a program
associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the
Folder Options control panel." pops up. Same thing happens in safe mode
unless you choose command prompt only.

Contacted Fujitsu tech support and they said there is no way of repairing
this other than reinstalling windows. Before I do that I need to transfer
the important data files such as pictures to another drive. Is there a way
to load network drivers from safe mode command prompt? Or is there a way to
get an IEEE 1394 drive to work in safe mode command prompt?

Maybe the problem could be fixed without reinstalling windows. I tried
running regclean, but it was no help.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Malke]

Desktop has no icons, but does have a nice background picture. Cannot
run any programs from the start button and the programs that are
listed just have
the default icon on them. When trying to use the run command to run a
program (cmd.exe for example) the error "This file does not have a
program
associated with it for performing this action. Create an association
in the
Folder Options control panel." pops up. Same thing happens in safe
mode unless you choose command prompt only.

Contacted Fujitsu tech support and they said there is no way of
repairing
this other than reinstalling windows. Before I do that I need to
transfer
the important data files such as pictures to another drive. Is there
a way
to load network drivers from safe mode command prompt? Or is there a
way to get an IEEE 1394 drive to work in safe mode command prompt?

Maybe the problem could be fixed without reinstalling windows. I
tried running regclean, but it was no help.

It sounds like you've got viruses and/or other malware. You can try
cleaning them up or, if you don't feel confident in your skills, have a
professional computer repair shop do it. Otherwise, if you've decided
to reinstall Windows, you can get your data off in a number of ways.
First, here are general malware removal steps:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

1. You can slave the hard drive in another machine with a working XP
installation. If you suspect viruses have caused the issue, scan the
drive with your installed av (on the host machine) first. If this is a
laptop and you don't have the necessary external drive enclosure or
laptop drive-IDE adapter then see next step.

2. You can either boot with Knoppix or a Bart's PE to get the files.
Here is information about using Knoppix, with a link to Bart's PE
Builder afterwards.

An easy way to retrieve Windows files is to boot with Knoppix, a Linux
distro on a live cd. You will need a computer with two cd drives, one
of which is a cd/dvd-rw OR a usb thumb drive with enough capacity to
hold your data. To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast
Internet connection and third-party burning software. Download the
Knoppix .iso from www.knoppix.net and create your bootable cd. Then
boot with it and it will be able to see the Windows files. If you are
using the usb thumb drive, right-click on its icon (on the Desktop) to
get its properties and uncheck the box that says "Read Only". Then
click on it to open it. Note that the default mouse action in the
window manager used by Knoppix (KDE) is a single click to open instead
of the traditional MS Windows' double-click. Otherwise, use the K3b
burning program to burn the files to cd/dvd-r's.

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ (Bart's PE)

Malke

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the suggestions they are great help. It is a laptop and I don't
have a way to slave the hard drive here so I'm downloading Knoppix while also
scanning for viruses using sysclean. It's tricky to follow some of the
directions on your website because of the nature of my problem. I have to do
everything from the command line.

 

[Malke]

Thanks for the suggestions they are great help. It is a laptop and I
don't have a way to slave the hard drive here so I'm downloading
Knoppix while also
scanning for viruses using sysclean. It's tricky to follow some of
the
directions on your website because of the nature of my problem. I
have to do everything from the command line.

Yep. That's why I suggested letting a pro do it, not because I was
impugning your "mad skilz". Some people are comfortable working from
the command line and some aren't. Also, we pros have other tools
available to us to work outside the operating system and have the
knowledge of what to delete. But it is definitely tedious, picky work.
Sometimes backing up your stuff and wiping it clean is the better
option. Only you can decide.

Good luck, and post back if you need more help with Knoppix.

Malke