After booting my computer having XP profesional, the launch tray icons have changed to generic icons and after the boot when I start ANY application it opens in notepad with lots of ANSI characters. I can not even open the control panel. I noticed using Adaware's ADWatch that right after the boot there are 54 registry modifications detected. This observation was not made when the computer was running normal. I have tried to restore to earlier dates with out any success. Also, attempts to boot into safe mode results into similar issues. Does any one has any idea what may be causing this issue and how to remedy it keeping in mind that I can not start any application once the computer has booted up? Thanks.
2006-10-23 07:01:56 · 7 answers · asked by AB 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
my opinion: reinstall XP
2006-10-23 07:04:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
OH AB...I'm running XP Pro SP2 and the EXACT same thing has happened to me a number of times! Unfortunately I don't have a clue why this stupid OS all of a sudden decides it's a good Idea to associate Everything with notepad but it does!!! This is NOT caused by Spyware, or Viruses, Trojans etc...because I do regulare scanns for this and have "RealTime Protections on all the time!!!
The only way I was able to "fix" it was to use one of my Regular Backup images that I create and store on a weekly basis to put it back to the way it was Before this happened! System Restore won't do it...I use Acronis True Image and store C:\Primary drive on my backup storage drive for just the events and others that you described...Unfortunately, I have a feeling you are going to have to reinstall XP from scratch and start all over again...
You might want to consider getting a good Image backup system so that you have something to fall back on (a failsafe system) when all H*ll breaks loose and there's nothing else left to do...
With the Image backup you can put everything back to like nothing was ever wrong in about 15 mins...well worth the $, time and effort...Just my opinion of course...Good luck finding the answer to this that will actually fix this...man...The only other suggestion I have is to boot from your operating system installation disk and choose Repair...that might or might not work and save everything you now have...
2006-10-23 07:12:46 · answer #2 · answered by MUff1N 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you are unable to open any application to do certain things and see if you can fix the problem, your only alternative is to take your machine to a reliable PC shop and have them save and scan for viruses your files; reformat your drive/s, reinstall windows and start from scratch. And while you are at it, install a decent anti-virus program like Norton Internet security 06 and limit your surfing to known and reliable sites only.
Good luck
2006-10-23 07:21:12 · answer #3 · answered by Nikolas S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In this case (as you have described) i agree Boot from XP Pro Disk Format partition (if you want) and reinstall XP Pro.
2006-10-23 07:09:48 · answer #4 · answered by Cybercat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you installed XP professional overriding another OS ?
If so, you'd better format disc, partition again and install.
XP Pro cannot upgrade on any OS without new formatting and partitioning.
2006-10-23 07:08:06 · answer #5 · answered by Sweet Dragon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cant do anything to your computer if you cant open the applications...it looks like a virus attack.
Go ahead and reformat your system. Be sure to take it to a place where they can first take a backup of your data.
2006-10-23 07:08:47 · answer #6 · answered by freshlimesoda 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it seems like a virus or the OS is damaged , try formating your pc and reinstalling a fresh copy after backing up your important files
2006-10-23 07:05:38 · answer #7 · answered by Luay14 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋