Programs disabled

[Guest]

Most all of my programs have become disabled. Desktop short cuts are still
there but with generic icons and the shortcuts don't launch anything. It
appears the same in safe mode. Went to add/remove through control panel but
there were no installed programs listed. The my documents desktop icon does
work and I can get at a list of all my programs through C:\programs, but
nothing launches except some notepad files. I was able to run windoctor and
diskdoctor through Norton Systemworks, but antivirus and onestep doesn't
launch. Suppestions please.

 

[Kelly]

More info needed as to when this behavoir first appeared, etc.

In the meantime, see if this helps:

EXE and LNK Fix for Windows XP - Line 12
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

To use the Regedit: Save the REG File to your hard disk. Double click it
and answer yes to the import prompt. REG files can be viewed in Notepad by
right clicking on the file and selecting Edit.

Generic icons are another issue; however, in the meantime:

Run Ad-Aware SE, Spybot and HijackThis:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

Note: Update the first two programs, once installed, before running.

Free Online Virus Scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

--
Happy Mardi Gras,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[Guest]

Thanks Kelly,

This behavior first appear when I was on line. I had received a Norton
allert indicating Norton had stopped and removed some threat. I OK'd the
alert message and had trouble from there. I cannot get online as I cannot
launch my browser from the desktop or from the program list.

 

[Guest]

But is there some information about what threat did Norton stop?

 

[Guest]

An additional thought....I have Spysweeper and Adware SE on that computer.
Neither of them launches. Infact Spysweeper is in the startup menu. At
startup it deliveres an error message offering close, restart, or continue
options, non of which make any difference.

 

[Guest]

No I did not note the particular item

But is there some information about what threat did Norton stop?

 

[Guest]

Neither they run in Safe mode?

An additional thought....I have Spysweeper and Adware SE on that computer.
Neither of them launches. Infact Spysweeper is in the startup menu. At
startup it deliveres an error message offering close, restart, or continue
options, non of which make any difference.

 

[Guest]

No. Nothing seems any different in safe mode.

Neither they run in Safe mode?

 

[Rock]

An additional thought....I have Spysweeper and Adware SE on that computer.
Neither of them launches. Infact Spysweeper is in the startup menu. At
startup it deliveres an error message offering close, restart, or continue
options, non of which make any difference.

Sounds like your system is compromised with malware.

http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.spywareinfo.com

 

[Kelly]

Did you try the fix I supplied?

EXE and LNK Fix for Windows XP - Line 12
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

--
Happy Mardi Gras,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com