XP Pro noSP - Boots normal - Won't open applications

  • Thread starter Thread starter lugnut
  • Start date Start date
L

lugnut

My SIL has an E Machine AMD 2400 with XP Pro that has been
no problem until it suddenly does not open applications.
Mouse or KB commands are followed by a few seconds of the
hour glass like it has received and is processing the
command. The desktop, task bar, start button, etc. do not
change. I tried booting to the last good config with no
results. I tried to run the system restore from the safe
mode but, it responds the same from the safe mode as it does
in the normal desktop mode. I suspect the machine has a
virus of some sort since he allowed his Norton AV
subscription to expire several months back. Since the
machine will still boot from the CD, I have thought about
trying a repair install but, I don't know if that would help
with a virus or just wasting an hour of time. I tried to
search the MS knowledge base with nothing found - maybe my
search skills are lacking.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Lugnut (remove me to reply) via e-mail

(e-mail address removed)
 
Hi

Please try the following link to Doug Knox's web site and run the fix for
.EXE Files:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm
Click to expand...


Will,
Hate to ask - but, since we are unable to start any
application including the web browser from either safe or
normal mode, how can I D/L and apply this fix? I can D/L
the fix to any one of several other machines but, I don't
know how I would use it in the sick machine.

Thanks
Lugnut
 
Hi

If you can access Windows on the problematic system, download it to another
PC, save on CD or whatever, then transfer it to the PC that is having the
problem. Failing that you may have to look towards a 'Repair' install.
 
On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 14:40:42 -0000, "Will Denny"

Hello

Thanks for your reply.

I can d/l and burn to a CD on another machine. I assume it
needs to be copied to some particilar directory via the
command prompt which I can reach. I don't know that I can
actually issue a copy command from there yet since it is
also unresponsive in the Desktop Safe Mode. Which dir
should I place the patch into if I can do it this way?
Lastly, if I do a repair install, will that return the
desktop and start menu to a correct config w/o losing
software from the desktop or start menu? I'll be able to
get my hands on the machine later today.

Thanks
 
pull the hard drive out put it in your computer using the cdrom drive
connector assuming you have only one cdrom if you have 2 disconnect both and
just use the drive when the computer boots make sure your virus definitions
are up to date. scan the computer completely for viruses.

One trick that usually works is to rename an.exe file to .com

Wayne
 
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