I cannot launch almost ALL of my computer applications, virus?

Question

A friend used my laptop and after it, I was surprised that I can no longer launch my computer applications. A dialog box will appear saying that "application not found..." in other programs, a dialog box asking me to "open with" the program... is there a way for me to troubleshoot this? Is there a way that my files will not be deleted (because I only consider restoring the laptop on its earliest setting...)

A friend used my laptop and after it, I was surprised that I can no longer launch my computer applications. A dialog box will appear saying that "application not found..." in other programs, a dialog box asking me to "open with" the program... is there a way for me to troubleshoot this? Is there a way that my files will not be deleted (because I only consider restoring the laptop on its earliest setting...)

---BTW, I was able to try "geek's" answer, but still, the system restore, when the computer restarts after rebooting, will be considered "not found" as well...

Answer 1

You can try some basic maintenance, check out my tutorial on that:
http://lukeharbaugh.com/tutorials/basic_os_maintenance.html

Also, close unneeded programs:
http://lukeharbaugh.com/tutorials/boot.html

If you think you're infected, try this out:

Download Spybot Search and Destroy, Ad-Aware, HiJackThis, and Avira Antivir.

Restart the computer in Safe Mode (start tapping F8 as soon as the computer starts to boot up, then choose Safe Mode with Networking).

Install the software. I'm assuming you don't have other AV software, but if you do, it's probably a good idea to uninstall that and install Avira Antivir, because obviously the last one wasn't up to the task of keeping you clean.

After installing, make sure to update the software to get the latest definitions (this is why we chose Safe Mode with Networking).

Attempt to run the software from Safe Mode. You may have to restart the computer to complete installations. If you do, just go back into Safe Mode. Run what software you can (not all software can be run in Safe Mode; I'm not sure if Ad-Aware can), then restart into normal mode and run the software again.

N.B. By default, HiJackThis will give you "false positives" because it wants you to see everything that's there and have you decide what should be there and what shouldn't be. make sure to find out what needs to be taken off. You can check online forum for help, e.g. http://www.techsupportforum.com/security-center/hijackthis-log-help/

Spybod S&D:
http://www.spybotupdates.com/files/spybotsd15.exe

AdAware:
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2007-Free/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5

HiJackThis:
http://www.merijn.org/files/HiJackThis_v2.exe

Avira Antivir:
http://www.download.com/Avira-AntiVir-PersonalEdition-Classic/3000-2239-10322935.html?part=dl-AviraAnti&subj=dl&tag=button

Answer 2

Firstly you should try the System Restore. To use the System Restore Wizard, make sure you're logged on as an administrator, and then follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools and then click System Restore.

2. On the Welcome screen, click Restore my computer to an earlier time, and then click Next.

3. On the Select a Restore Point page, select the nearby restore point (but prior to the use from your friend) in the calendar that shows the available points and then click Next.

4. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, verify that the correct restore point is chosen, and then close any open programs.

5. Click Next when you are ready to proceed.

6. The computer will shut down automatically and reboot. On reboot, you'll see the Restoration Complete page, and then click OK.

Firstly you should try the System Restore. To use the System Restore Wizard, make sure you're logged on as an administrator, and then follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools and then click System Restore.

2. On the Welcome screen, click Restore my computer to an earlier time, and then click Next.

3. On the Select a Restore Point page, select the nearby restore point (but prior to the use from your friend) in the calendar that shows the available points and then click Next.

4. On the Confirm Restore Point Selection page, verify that the correct restore point is chosen, and then close any open programs.

5. Click Next when you are ready to proceed.

6. The computer will shut down automatically and reboot. On reboot, you'll see the Restoration Complete page, and then click OK.

P.S. So the system restore didn't work. I don't think that your friend could have deleted the programs but maybe he has altered the associations to the programs. My advice is, first of all, to do a full scan of your drive with a good antivirus to exclude that a virus is liable for these problems. Then, if no viruses are found or, even if are found and deleted but your system is still not responding, open the Program Files folder and control by yourself if the "missing" programs are still there or not. If they are not reinstall them if you can and if you can't do this.... backup your data on a removable drive (dvd, cd, pen drive) or on an external drive and then restore the laptop on its earliest settings.