Programs not loading at Start up, Programs won't start, Big Problems
 

When I started my computer the Ad-aware SE Pro gave a warning that the registry was being changed. I was surprised because I haven't recently installed a new program. It asks if you want to allow or block. I clicked block. It kept asking over and over and I continued to say block. Finally I checked automatically block, and Ad-aware stopped with the warnings.

Now I think I told it to block some essential parts of windows because when I try to start programs they won't start, and many of my icons have reverted to the generic icon. I can't open the System folder, Add or Remove Programs, and most other folders in the Control Panel. Also, no programs load at startup. Ad-aware won't even start. I'm screwed.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
AS

virus scans??????

My I ran a virus scan from Symatec's website. It found nothing. I had to go to the website because, alas, my anti-virus won't start.

Stupid question:

System restore?

I find that the 30 mins it takes to burn back up files, and the 35 mins to reinstall windows, a lot shorter than trying to fix most problems. I also like a fresh windows install, its just nice.

Can you show us the ad aware logfile? (just entries from the blocks forward)

It's quite possible the blocked registry mods were innocent but required. If so you could disable the automatic block from within ad aware, reboot, and let things rip. I don't recommend this route unless we're comfortable with what was blocked.

Otherwise, as the giant condom said, you might just go back to your last restore point.

Not stupid. I'm thankful for the reply.
System restore won't open.
When I click on System Restore (or any system folder I get this error message: This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Folder Options control panel.

I've gone to the folder options control panel, but I don't know what to associate the file with...

Run Ad-ware in the Safe Mode and if you do have it, run Spybot as well and see what you get. Restart the computer once those task is done.

I can't find the ad-aware logfile. It's not in the ad aware folder.

I go to the ad aware folder, click on the .exe file, and nothing happens. Its the same with most .exe files on my computer...
Damn!

Can you boot to safe mode? If you can, I think you'll probably have a lot fewer problems running programs.

Didja try safe mode?

No offense, but in the event you don't know how - reboot your machine and tap F8 until you get to the OS choices menu. Select safe mode. It will look like ass if you've never been there before. To get out, reboot as normal. Your internet will NOT work unless you select 'safe mode with networking' (I think), but if you have some sort of virus that 'calls home', then you'd want to stick with regular safe mode. Plus it's easier to have stupid net services out of the way.

It's in:
docs & settings/username/application data/lavasoft/ad aware/logs

Your associations have issues or worse. As Pragma said, see what safe mode does.

If that doesn't work try logging in as another user (if you have one). The problem could be localized to your admin account.

If still no go, can you run regedit? Expand "Hkey_classes_root" and click on ".exe". Do you see "Content Type - application/x-msdownload"?

I've booted in Safe mode. Same problems.

I can't run regedit. It says it needs to know what kind of program to open it with.

I've tried opening other users. Same problems.

I still can't find the adaware log. I looked in the directory you suggested, but it's not there...

I'm Fu*ked.

Another problem: when I double click on a folder, it takes me Search. My folder associations are all messed up...

I'd probably be booting another system with your drive on the side to inspect what happened. It isn't easy to recover when the tools are inaccessible.

This might be the time to run a repair from the XP install CD.
-Boot from the CD.
-At the first prompt select "Install" (not repair with recovery console)
-It should search for existing installs. Assuming it shows yours select "Repair".

You'll want to run windows update after. That's assuming it comes back to life.

Thanks. I'll give it a try. I'll let you know how it goes...

I ran the repair previous XP install from the XP install CD. It didn't fix the file associations. I think I'm gonna have to start with a fresh install of windows.

It might be necessary. Can you try a couple more things?

If that went as planned we blew away your last restore point, but try booting into last known good configuration. (Like safe mode above, but last known good instead.)

Unfortunately, last known good won't help him. "Last known good" gets reset every time you successfully make it past the "enter your password" screen and to the desktop. That's why, if you ever have a system completely screw up after you update drivers/etc. and it's noticeable at the login screen, don't log in - hard reboot the machine and go to last known good.

That said, I'd boot up the harddrive as a secondary in another machine and scan it for viruses/spyware - that sounds really screwed up, that it doesn't even know what to do with .exe files.

How do I boot up the harddrive as a secondary in another machine? Must I physically remove it from my tower and put it in another?

Yea, pull the drive and find someone else's machine with Windows installed on it, and make sure to set your jumpers properly, according to what IDE channel/port you plug it in (primary slave/secondary master or slave, whatever) - and then boot up to that person's copy of Windows and it should show your drive as just another drive. Now run a full virus/spyware scan on your drive.

Hopefully, it should be able to pick up and clean out a lot of crap - and that may let you take the macine back to your computer and boot into safe-mode to try running AV/antispyware again.

Aladdin, Pragma, I apologize. I was not at my best last night (or this morning). Thank god the beer ran out when it did.

Cyrnel, no need to apologize. I don't know what are apologizing for. ???

Pragma, thanks for all your help.

I think I'll just reinstall windows XP again. Do you think I need to reformate the disk first, or can I reinstall without doing it?

I'd recommend reformatting, as it's generally a "cleaner" solution (no old folders cluttering up Program Files), but if you don't want to (or in order to save data), you don't have to.

Since there's an active (if dysfunctional) system already the XP installer will allow you to choose a different destination folder. That'll avoid many of the hassles of moldy remnants. Some problems can reside in \documents & settings or \program files which means they'd follow the new system. If you want to preserve things but get a fresh system, boot with something that allows you to modify the HD filesystem. Prefix those two folders with something, say "old_". Blow away \windows entirely. Then boot the CD, install, and you'll be free of the old system while preserving work files & settings you might want to scavenge.

Ok guys, I've watched someone fdisk before, but it's been awhile, and I've never done it myself. Does anyone care to give me a step-by-step list of how to fdisk?

Nevermind! I found a step by step on the net.

The XP install cd will ask if you want to use existing partitions or remove and create new. Formatting with your choice of FS comes right after.

And it is done. I wiped it clean and reinstalled windows. Everything is working like new.

Thanks to everyone for your help.
Cheers,
AS

Glad to hear it's working fine now - hopefully it never gets that bad again :)