Exes not working properly

Sev · **Posted:** February 21st, 2010, 1:46 am

As of late my .exe files are not working properly. If I open a .exe a window pops up saying "Open with" with a list of programs and "Browse". If I browse and find the .exe in its folder and use it, the program opens. But the next time I have to to it again and again. It stops auto start up programs and many other things from working properly.

Any info on how to fix it would be appreciated, thanks!

Adbot · **Posted:** February 21st, 2010, 1:46 am

Duke Juker · RSBandB Donor since 07/01/2010

Can you remember if anything changed on your computer lately that might have caused this to happen? As tech guys say, the more info you can give them, the clearer the diagnosis and solution can be.

Alex_SE · **Posted:** February 21st, 2010, 3:35 am

That problem is most of the times caused by a virus.
You're using Windows XP right? Try following these steps:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555067

Did it work?

After that download Malwarebytes , Install it, make sure the database is up to date and do a full system scan.

Sev · **Posted:** February 21st, 2010, 12:58 pm

Well I ran a Tune Reg Fixer and now the problem has changed to that every program I try to run asks me to select a profile and some programs tell me I can not run them as I am not the admin, which I am. I'm the only account on my PC.

Duke Juker wrote:

Can you remember if anything changed on your computer lately that might have caused this to happen? As tech guys say, the more info you can give them, the clearer the diagnosis and solution can be.

I recently got a virus which Avast cleaned up.

Alex_SE wrote:

That problem is most of the times caused by a virus.
You're using Windows XP right? Try following these steps:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555067

Did it work?

After that download Malwarebytes , Install it, make sure the database is up to date and do a full system scan.

Tried that, didn't work. Malwarebytes won't allow me to install since apparently I'm not the admin anymore.

Alex_SE · **Posted:** February 21st, 2010, 1:32 pm

How about this solution:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/exefile.htm ?
Its uses a tool called exefix_xp.com to automatically restore .exe file association.
I've checked the tool and its clean and safe, but use it at your own risk.

You can also use the manual steps present in the page if your not comfortable with the tool.

Did it work?

Sev · **Posted:** February 22nd, 2010, 12:04 pm

Alex_SE wrote:

How about this solution:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/exefile.htm ?
Its uses a tool called exefix_xp.com to automatically restore .exe file association.
I've checked the tool and its clean and safe, but use it at your own risk.

You can also use the manual steps present in the page if your not comfortable with the tool.

Did it work?

Yes, that fixed it mostly. But now I'm receiving an error message when I'm trying to install something saying that I'm not the admin, even though I'm sure I am. I'm the only account on this PC so I'm confused. yet again >.>

Adbot · **Posted:** February 22nd, 2010, 12:04 pm

Alex_SE · **Posted:** February 22nd, 2010, 1:04 pm

Ugh, that's an annoying virus.
Try this:
Click on the Start Menu -> Select Run -> Type "control userpasswords2" without the quotes.

This should bring the settings of all your accounts in the OS.

Double click your account name, then on the new windows select the tab with the Group association, or something like it (My windows isn't in English). There select Administrator.
It should work if the virus is gone.

Next, download this tool (even if the method worked): Hijackthis
Don't worry! The tool is 1000% safe despite its name :lol:

.
It scans infected processes and registry keys. No vital information is given.

Execute it (no need to install) and do a scan and save log file.
After its done it should open a log file. Copy and paste it in this topic.

Sev · **Posted:** February 22nd, 2010, 7:32 pm

MMk

Spoiler for k:

Alex_SE · **Posted:** February 23rd, 2010, 1:15 am

Looks clean.
It has some leftovers, possibly from the virus.

Run Hijackthis again and run a scan.
After its completed, delete the following entries:

Code:

R3 - URLSearchHook: ToolbarURLSearchHook Class - {CA3EB689-8F09-4026-AA10-B9534C691CE0} - C:\Program Files\Search Toolbar\tbhelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {CCC7A320-B3CA-4199-B1A6-9F516DD69829} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Run IMVU - {d9288080-1baa-4bc4-9cf8-a92d743db949} - C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Start Menu\Programs\IMVU\Run IMVU.lnk (file missing)
O20 - AppInit_DLLs:

Restart computer and check if every thing's fine now. :wink: