I cant open any .exe files or programs, i get the message: windows cannot find C:\Program Files\(whatever the program is). you may have typed the name incorrectly in the run dialog, or another open program cannot find a system file. to search for a file, click the start button, and then click search. if i click start, run, and type something like msconfig for example and hit ok i get the same message. If i click anything in the control panel i get: windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. you may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item. neither of my cd-roms will read any written cds or dvds anymore (might just be old, dont know) the only way i can do anything is if i open an actual file. for example i can't click windows media player, it wont open, but if i click on an mp3 file, then it will open up in media player and work. any ideas??

Yep.. One idea. You have a computer virus. Are you running an anti-virus program?

http://housecall.antivirus.com/pc_housecall/ gives you a free virus check Then visit the homepage link on this response while you're at it.

I have seen that kind of activity if the PC hasnt been scan disk'd and defrag'd in a long time, especially if you have been using it allot or loading stuff. It cant be anything that simple can it? A computer is a perfectionist's nightmare.