None of my programs are running from Start

[DeshiKicksFTP]

Alright so I usually don't come here with computer problems, but I'm fucking stumped. Every time I try to run a program, whether it be from desktop, start menu, program files etc, it either says "There is no program associated with this type of file" (usually just iTunes), or pops up with this "Open With.." window. I thought I might have a trojan so I ran a full system scan with Norton and didn't turn up anything, I don't know what the problem is. This has only been happening since some time yesterday. Even my programs that are supposed to start with the computer don't start (uTorrent, AIM, etc). Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

EDIT: This is what I got when I tried to open AIM, and everything else except iTunes (I got the no file association shit with that) from the Start Menu.





*I do not use uTorrent to participate in illegal activities, I have it because I like the icon*

[LSA King]

You don't need to hide your reasoning for having uTorrent, everybody uses it for illegal purposes. That's just a fact.


Did you try a system restore? That would be your best bet if this happened to all your programs out of the blue. Since it happened 24 hours or less ago I would suggest going back 2-3 days just to be safe. See what happens after that. I have a feeling you might have a rootkit on your system in where Avast gets props for having the ability to scan your computer right before it boots up Windows to remove that garbage for free.

[DeshiKicksFTP]

Originally Posted by LSA King

You don't need to hide your reasoning for having uTorrent, everybody uses it for illegal purposes. That's just a fact.


Did you try a system restore? That would be your best bet if this happened to all your programs out of the blue. Since it happened 24 hours or less ago I would suggest going back 2-3 days just to be safe. See what happens after that. I have a feeling you might have a rootkit on your system in where Avast gets props for having the ability to scan your computer right before it boots up Windows to remove that garbage for free.

Meh, paranoia keeps me free.


I'd really rather not do that. I thought about it, and its a last resort kind of thing right now, cause I just acquired a lot of media that will be lost and was rather difficult to obtain. I'll try Avast though and see if that helps me.

[LSA King]

Originally Posted by DeshiKicksFTP

Meh, paranoia keeps me free.


I'd really rather not do that. I thought about it, and its a last resort kind of thing right now, cause I just acquired a lot of media that will be lost and was rather difficult to obtain. I'll try Avast though and see if that helps me.

System Restore should almost always be your first resort in a situation like this. I know the fear you talk about but System Restore isn't like the old programs of many long years ago where it basically imaged your entire hard drive and you lost everything you downloaded from the last restore date; instead, your files 99% of the time should be absolutely safe and only your critical Windows files and settings are reset back to the previous date.

I haven't had a problem with it since I've been using it way back on Windows XP. Believe me it works. If it doesn't it's probably a more in-depth problem and finding an answer would force you to back trace things you might have done that caused it.

[DeshiKicksFTP]

Originally Posted by LSA King

System Restore should almost always be your first resort in a situation like this. I know the fear you talk about but System Restore isn't like the old programs of many long years ago where it basically imaged your entire hard drive and you lost everything you downloaded from the last restore date; instead, your files 99% of the time should be absolutely safe and only your critical Windows files and settings are reset back to the previous date.

I haven't had a problem with it since I've been using it way back on Windows XP. Believe me it works. If it doesn't it's probably a more in-depth problem and finding an answer would force you to back trace things you might have done that caused it.

Alright, I'll give that a go after I sync all my music and shit, it'd be an absolute bitch if I wound up losing it all/a percentage. Avast didn't help by the way. Full system scan took about 3 hours and came up with nothing, rebooted the computer and nothing. I'm on Vista, and I was told this is a common problem and that going to Computer>location of program I can create new shortcuts, but it does the same thing when I try to run it from there even without a shortcut. The only way any programs work is if I go through that damn box.

[Akdor 1154]

Copy the following into notepad, save as "fix.reg" (quotes important), then run the file you just saved.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe]
@="exefile"
"Content Type"="application/x-msdownload"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\PersistentHandler]
@="{098f2470-bae0-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}"

[Your Local Crack Dealer]

*I do not use uTorrent to participate in illegal activities, I have it because I like the icon*

[DeshiKicksFTP]

Originally Posted by Your Local Crack Dealer

Hey hey, I have a pimp icon for my dock shortcut. Plus, can never be too safe.