My friend ran SpyBot. Somehow during this process, during it's cleanup, it completely screwed up his computer. Now nothing works. Now all .exe files (and a lot of others) have just the default icon. If I click on any .exe file (including SpyBot) the icon becomes transparent and nothing happens. I tried downloading the "File Association Fixes" on dougknox.com, but the .exe files won't run, and the .reg files won't run. I tried running regedit.exe from the "run" box and I get the "Windows cannot open this file" message. It doesn't recognize the extension. The same thing happens for any .exe file (including iexplore.exe). However, if I type a web address and hit "go" IE opens and the web page loads. All .lnk files try to open with Dell Image Expert. Any ideas? Thanks.

I doubt it was Spybot, more likely a virus or worm. Does you friend have up to date antivirus running? If not try booting in SAFE mode WITH networking and see if you can surf to an online scan. It may not hurt regardless. Jimi_l my link

Hello, Changing the file-type association for .exe is a common way for trojan horses to load themselfs at startup (every time you run a .exe you acctually run the trojan horse). After the trojan horse file is removed from system, the .exe extension will remain associated with an inexistent file and Windows will 'File not found' or something. FIX: Go to Control Panel->Folder Options->File Types. Add a .exe extension (Or modify existing entry). Write "%1" (or select Application from advanced). Mircea

Johnny, Go to the link below and download the Fixswen.inf file onto a floppy disc, then transfer the floppy to the problem computer and run the Fixswen.inf file. Hopefully it will correct the problem. "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". Fixswen Tufenuf