tom909
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Unable to run some .exe files in XP - wrong association
I had what I think was a rogue dialer install itself on my desktop and since then have been unable to run many of the programs on my desktop or in Control Panel. When I try to start one it is associated with another program such as Wordpad. I am unable to run Norton to virus check the system because of this. I have tried a system restore but there were no previous restore points. I also tried a repair of the the Windows XP installation but this made no difference. I assume something has been changed in the registry but what? I can get into regedit via the command prompt but don't have a clue wha I should be looking for. Do you have any ideas on how to solve this without a complete reformat and reinstallation? Many thanks.
Tom
Tom
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have you downloaded and ran http://www.dougknox.com/xp/fileassoc/xp_exe_fix.zip
ASKER
Hi Pete
Yes did run dougnox.com but still made no difference. I'm completely stumped by this.
Cheers
Tom
Yes did run dougnox.com but still made no difference. I'm completely stumped by this.
Cheers
Tom
Is this happening for all .exe files?
what happens if you
start > run >regedit.exe {enter}
does the registry editor open?
what happens if you
start > run >regedit.exe {enter}
does the registry editor open?
ASKER
Hi Pete
I can run regedit.exe from the command prompt but if I try it from Run Norton AV kicks in trying to scan the program but because Norton is itself associated with the wrong application regedit never gets to start (hope that makes sense!)
Tom
I can run regedit.exe from the command prompt but if I try it from Run Norton AV kicks in trying to scan the program but because Norton is itself associated with the wrong application regedit never gets to start (hope that makes sense!)
Tom
OK so your .exe association is fine the problem is your AV? sounds to me like something viral has disabled your AV - how oftern do you update it?
download this http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/ then boot into safe mode and run it
download this http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/ then boot into safe mode and run it
ASKER
Hi Pete
I seem to have solved the problem. I highlighted an .exe file in Windows Explorer clicked on tools/ folder/ option / file types and then created an exe file type in there. I then set exe back to its default setting and everything started working again. I think you're right that a virus caused the problem in the first place so I will give your stinger download a go to check it out. I'm using Norton and my definitions are set to update automatically so not sure how the virus got through if it was one.
Many thanks for your help.
Tom
I seem to have solved the problem. I highlighted an .exe file in Windows Explorer clicked on tools/ folder/ option / file types and then created an exe file type in there. I then set exe back to its default setting and everything started working again. I think you're right that a virus caused the problem in the first place so I will give your stinger download a go to check it out. I'm using Norton and my definitions are set to update automatically so not sure how the virus got through if it was one.
Many thanks for your help.
Tom
ThanQ
ASKER
Tried your suggestions but still have the problem. Any other ideas?
Tom