[JSntgRvr]

Ok here is the problem?
It seem that something has change a lot of my shortcuts and some folders
over from (.exe) to (.lnk) and now I can not open or run these programs not
even in safe mode.
When I try to open one I get the message box.
"Windows cannot open this file:
File: PowerDesk .lnk (example)
To open this file, windows needs to know what program created it. Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually select from a
list of programs on your computer.
What do you want to do? Then you must choose one of two "use the web" or "select from list"
in either case the web or selection does not open the program. What can be done.

.lnk are normal extensions for shortcuts. Click on the attacheck file and merge it to the registry. Restart and try again.

 

[JSntgRvr]

Are you sure is the .lnk file association or the .exe association. Here is a link with various fixes:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

 

[JSntgRvr]

Are there any restrictions on these accounts?

Check the following entries in the Registry on each of these accounts:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"DisableRegistryTools"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy Objects\LocalUser\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]
"DisableRegistryTools"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoSaveSettings"=dword:00000000

If the value "DisableRegistryTools"=dword:00000001, there is a restriction not to allow Registry Tools. If dword:00000000 is present then there is no restrictions. There may be other restrictions.

Is the issue present in the Administrator's Account?

Please come back with some feedback.

 

[JSntgRvr]

I guess this will be the easier way to resolve the issue.

 

[JSntgRvr]

Try this fix. Download the file and extract it to the Desktop (You will need a .zip utility to extract the file). A new icon will appear on the desktop. Doubleclick on this icon and merge it into the registry. Once done, restart the computer and test.

 

[JSntgRvr]

Post a Hijackthis log for review:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html

Clear something for me.

LNK are link files (Shortcuts). Most of these are located on the Desktop, Quick Launch Bar, Start Menu and System Tray.

Just to make sure we are talking about the same files, are the .lnk files as I describe them above the ones having problems, of are these files (Not shortcuts) within an especific location that have been transformed from .exe (executables) to .lnk (link) files?

 

[JSntgRvr]

There is no Malware in the computer. Close all browsers. Run Hijackthis. Place a checkmark on the following lines and click on Fix Checked:

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://216.130.185.122/sidesearch.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://216.130.185.122/sidesearch.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL
O23 - Service: Kaspersky Anti-Virus Service (KLBLMain) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Kaspersky Lab\Kaspersky Anti-Virus Personal Pro 5\kavmm.exe" -run bl -n PersonalPro -v 5.0.0.0 -ttsr 10000000 (file missing)

Yes you are correct, But am also have the same problem in Safe Mode and on all users accounts.

I still have doubts. Is the issue related to the icons on the Desktop, Start Menu, Quick Lauch and/or System Tray, or an especific file in other location that has been converted into an .lnk file from an .exe file?

 

[JSntgRvr]

That was premature as not all alternatives were exhausted. You could have ran the System File checker if the installation CD was available, as well as a Repair Install. That would have saved your personal data.