I know this is a problem that's been addressed many times before in this forum. I've tried EXEfix08 and have gotten nowhere. I can't run any .exe's from my start menu, and none of the .exe shortcuts on my desktop work either. I can open programs like Word, Dreamweaver, etc. by opening a previously-saved file (e.g. a .doc file) - I've been using my computer in this fashion for months, and I'm sick of it!!! I can download .exe's but can't open them. I haven't even been able to install Windows XP Service Pack 2. Every time I try to open a program like Windows Media Player, for example, I get this message: Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPLAYER.EXE'. Marke sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. Hopefully, someone out there can help me out...

Look here for default file associations and select the exe fix. - http://www.dougknox.com/ Please post back within 24 hours or I will delete the post from my follow up list. Thanks. It would be a courtesy if you would post back and let us know if the fix worked or not.

I actually already tried this site... No luck, unfortunately.

I see you have a Dell so don't know if this will work. Sorry, but Dells suck in my estimation. If you have a full XP cd, Other wise it's a recovery and I undersatnd you lose all your data. Here we go. ---How to do a system repair.--Boot from the xp cd and go past the recovery console to the install menu. Select repair the existing installation. You won't lose any data except the xp updates. Unless you have a slipstream sp1 cd you will have to d/l sp1 and all subsequent updates. You MUST have at least SP1 installed and the updates for security reasons. Be sure the firewall and A/V is active before going online as you will be susceptible to sasser and msblaster. If you don't want SP2 go to autopatcher.com and d/l SP1 and subsequent updates. Please post back within 24 hours or I will delete the post from my follow up list. Thanks. It would be a courtesy if you would post back and let us know if the fix worked or not.

Still no luck..!

Looks as if it's going to take a full reinstall. After months of this it will take a couple of days to put it right. You have a Dell. If you were given the full XP cd then boot from it and follow the menus to a full install. Format and allow a full install and reinstall all your programs after that. DO NOT GO ON THE NET UNTIL YOU INSTALL AN A/V PROGRAM AND A FIREWALL! THEN INSTALL ALL MS UPDATES ASAP! If you don't have the XP cd, only a Dell restore cd, Do what you can. I am not familiar with the Dell thing, Call Dell support. GOOD LUCK! Please post back within 24 hours or I will delete the post from my follow up list. Thanks. It would be a courtesy if you would post back and let us know if the fix worked or not.

Pocahontas, Go to the link below and download & run the Fixswen.inf Tool. "Save the fixswen.inf file to your local hard disk, right-click on the file and choose install". "A Setup INF file to undo registry changes made by W32/Swen@MM and other threats that prevent REGEDIT, BAT, COM, EXE, PIF, REG and SCR files from running". It's worth a try and it won't harm anything. Fixswen.inf Tool Tufenuf