Unable to View Source File - Windows XP & IE7 Problem

not sure if this has any bearing but I have checked all occurences in regedit of:

WINDOWS\sytem32\notepad.exe

I have found that the "notepad" is all uppercase in the registry i.e. "NOTEPAD"....would this make a difference??

Ensure that notepad is really there in the system32 folder.  

Also make sure that its not a virus
C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe (called by Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer, and others)
notepad.exe should be 65KB, make sure it is.

worst case, go to start, and then run and type in sfc.exe /scannow

Better have your windows cd ready for that scan.  It will replace any windows files that do not verify.

Hope this helps!

I have scanned the computer using the 'superantispyware' which found only tracking cookies to remove.

I still have not has any luck being able to view the source code....any ideas?

Now downloading Hijack This.....

see copy of log file below...very long list....

Scan saved at 21:23:50, on 04/07/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16473)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\Scheduler.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\point32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\BTHOME~1\Help\SMARTB~1\BTHelpNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\btbb_wcm\McciTrayApp.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\browser\ybrwicon.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\WDBtnMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton Save and Restore\Agent\VProTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\LaunchApplication.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\browser\ycommon.exe
C:\Program Files\Plaxo\2.13.0.12\PlaxoHelper.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\My Book\WD Backup\uBBMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton Save and Restore\Agent\VProSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\BT Home Hub\Help\bin\mpbtn.exe
C:\Program Files\Photodex\ProShowGold\ScsiAccess.exe
C:\Program Files\Steganos Internet Anonym VPN\SVPNStarter.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\avsys\ScanningProcess.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ZONELA~1\ZONEAL~1\MAILFR~1\mantispm.exe
C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\avsys\ScanningProcess.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\OUTLOOK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE
C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\Temporary Directory 1 for hijackthis_.zip\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.hp.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://uk.red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/btyahoo/defaults/sb/*http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/info/bt_side.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/about/installerRedirect.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: UberButton Class - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
O2 - BHO: YahooTaggedBM Class - {65D886A2-7CA7-479B-BB95-14D1EFB7946A} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\YIeTagBm.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: SidebarAutoLaunch Class - {F2AA9440-6328-4933-B7C9-A6CCDF9CBF6D} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\browser\YSidebarIEBHO.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [High Definition Audio Property Page Shortcut] HDAShCut.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SDMSSplash] "C:\Program Files\HP_SDMS\SDMSSplash\launcher.exe" "launchdir=C:\Program Files\HP_SDMS\SDMSSplash"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SetRefresh] C:\Program Files\Compaq\SetRefresh\SetRefresh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\Sminst\Recguard.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Reminder] C:\WINDOWS\Creator\Remind_XP.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Scheduler] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\Scheduler.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [type32] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelliPoint] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\point32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Motive SmartBridge] C:\PROGRA~1\BTHOME~1\Help\SMARTB~1\BTHelpNotifier.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [btbb_wcm_McciTrayApp] C:\Program Files\btbb_wcm\McciTrayApp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [YBrowser] C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\browser\ybrwicon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ZoneAlarm Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WD Button Manager] WDBtnMgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Norton Save and Restore 2.0] "C:\Program Files\Norton Save and Restore\Agent\VProTray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCSuiteTrayApplication] C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\LaunchApplication.exe -startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [eyeBeam SIP Client] "C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Talk Softphone\BTSoftphone.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PlaxoUpdate] C:\Program Files\Plaxo\2.13.0.12\PlaxoHelper.exe -a
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [updateMgr] C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AdobeUpdateManager.exe AcRdB7_0_9
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: BT Broadband Desktop Help.lnk = C:\Program Files\BT Home Hub\Help\bin\matcli.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WD Backup Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\My Book\WD Backup\uBBMonitor.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: BT Yahoo! Services - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O11 - Options group: [INTERNATIONAL] International*
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://www.muscle-nerd-university.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://www.photodex.com
O16 - DPF: {2359626E-7524-4F87-B04E-22CD38A0C88C} (ICSScannerLight Class) - http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/cm/ICSCM.cab
O16 - DPF: {CB50428B-657F-47DF-9B32-671F82AA73F7} (Photodex Presenter AX control) - http://www.photodex.com/pxplay.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{5E6F110B-C18A-4237-8E19-20C597A06893}: NameServer = 212.19.48.14
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{5E6F110B-C18A-4237-8E19-20C597A06893}: NameServer = 212.19.48.14
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxdev.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINDOWS\
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1150\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: Norton Save and Restore - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Save and Restore\Agent\VProSvc.exe
O23 - Service: PC Angel (PCA) - SoftThinks - C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\PCAngel.exe
O23 - Service: ScsiAccess - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Photodex\ProShowGold\ScsiAccess.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: Steganos VPN Starter Service (SVPNStarter) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Steganos Internet Anonym VPN\SVPNStarter.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

Also, if you haven't already tried, try opening your start menu, click "Run...", type "notepad", and press Enter. Tell us if notepad opens or whatever else happens.

After typing "notepad" and pressing Enter the notepad scren pops up

Hmm, did SUPERAntiSpyware find anything besides cookies when you scanned?

hi orangutang, nothing apart from cookies...that was it

Hi Sheharyaar, I've now run the eusing.com  window washer and that hasn't yielded any results either...I've also rebotted my machine as well.

All,

I don't know if this helps but everytime my computer starts up I momentarily see the dialogue box that reads in the blue bar;

C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe

Best,
David

orangutang...just downloaded the file, executed it and then rebooted....still cannot read the 'source code'

sheharyaar...ran the registry rile and rebooted...still cannot read the 'source code'

orangutang/sheyaryaar - would my firewall have anything to do with not being able to run the notepad.exe/view the source code?

I have also just re-run the following;
1. Internet Window Washer
2. Hijack This
3. Super Anti Spyware
4. Registry Mechanic

None of these apps report any issues/problems apart from a few tracking cookies

I can also confirm I have inserted/amended the registry files as requested

I have rebooted again....still no luck on being able to read 'source files' in notepad

I have also discovered that if I download a document from the web and then try to open it after downloading I also get the same message as when trying to view the 'source files'...

"windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access them"

Good news and bad news

Good News - mysteriously I am now able to view the 'source file' via Notepad

Bad News - there must be some defective element of code??

This is similar to my original post (not this question - see above) where all of a sudden the source code could be viewed and then just as quickly I was unable to view it again. It's almost like there is a 'loose wire/connection' in the pc.

Consequently I cannot deduce what has suddenly occured to allow me to view the 'source code'.

I would still regard this question as open as I am far convinced that this will just reoccur at some point.

just keep an eye whatever you are doing on the system....so that if this occurs again, we can have an idea that what was happened when this problem reappeared? :)

On the basis that sheharyaar and orangutang both helped but I am unable to deduce what lead my computer to start working again it is only fair that I apportion the points on a 50/50 basis.

Thank-you,
David

:)