OK, I can barely open anything on my computer. I can't open anything on my Desktop or Quick Launch, etc. From the Start menu, I can only open My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, My Computer, My Network Places, Control Panel, Search, and Run. If I do Start > My Computer, I can only navigate through my files, but not execute any applications. However, I can execute media files from My Computer (only by double-clicking on the individual files to trigger the media program, Winamp--or any other media program if I change the default program of the file type), I can open Notepad by double-clicking a .txt document and WordPad by double-clicking a .doc document. And if I do Start > Run, I can trigger Internet Explorer by typing in a URL, and I can do some Windows programs like "command". Whenever I try to execute an application, I get an error message saying, for example, "Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search." However, I still have all of these files it is erroring and saying I do not have (so if I navigate My Computer, I will still find that file there, seemingly unchanged). I thought that I may have contracted a virus from a media file that I downloaded (via mIRC), because I download a lot of music from IRC bots, but even after deleting my entire My Music (containing all of the files I have downloaded from mIRC), I still have this problem. I also noticed that I started having this problem while downloading the trial version of Norton Antivirus 2004 from download.com. I believe I started having this problem right after I first got an error message from the Norton Antivirus Install, which would not successfully complete the installation (even after the lengthy pre-install system scan). I just deleted all of the Norton- or Symantec-related folders in Program Files (except for the folder "Norton AntiVirus", which will not allow me to delete NAVEvent.dll, saying access is denied), but I still have this problem. I tried downloading another antivirus program to get rid of this problem, but I can't open the file I just downloaded it so I can install it (Although, I noticed that I can open media files I download).And, I also tried to format my (only) hard drive (by right-clicking "Local Disk (C:)" from My Computer and clicking Format), but it gives an error, saying "Windows cannot format this drive. Quit any disk utilities or other programs that are using this drive, and make sure that no window is displaying the contents of the drive. Then try formatting again." However, when I do this, I'm not running any other programs or conflicting processes (that I'm aware of). But the processes that I am running (according to Windows Task Manager, despite taskmgr.exe, of course) are: MsPMSPSv.exe symlcsvc.exe devldr32.exe MDM.EXE spoolsv.exe explorer.exe ccEvtMgr.exe ccSetMgr.exe svchost.exe svchost.exe svchost.exe svchost.exe lsass.exe services.exe winlogon.exe csrss.exe smss.exe System System Idle Process I apologize for the oversized synopsis, but I would GREATLY appreciate it if anyone could help me out, because I'm not sure what else to do now. Thanks.

Hi David Rivers; You gave some good clues and I hope some of these fine people can help you. I see you updated from windows 98 to xp. Perhaps your computer does not have what it takes to run xp. Is your hard drive full? Do you have enough RAM? Is your CPU too slow? You say you have been downloading files. I assume you mean from a peer to peer site. That could mean viruses have installed. Some viruses can disable anti-virus software. Run an online virus scan. Also peer to peer downloading programs come with spyware and malware. They can cause many problems. Such as the problems you describe. My advice for what's it worth is: Uninstall all spyware and malware programs. Install and run adaware and spybots&d. http://www.safer-networking.org/ http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ I'm just guessing so let us know.RandyL

Hi there The above advice is good but you wont be able to carry out most of it until you fix your .exe file problem. most likely a virus messed up the .exe associations in the registry essentially disabling them. first go to the link below with clean computer to do the download. You will have to download the file to another computer, unzip it on that computer then copy the .reg file to floppy so you can use it on yours. When you get it on floppy insert it in your puter and in the run box type a: then enter the file on a: is now displayed...double click it say yes to merge entries to your registry...remove floppy when done, reboot pc. You won't be able to format c: from within windows because windows is using it..which is why u get the error. http://dougknox.com/ On that page click "xp fixes" then click file association fixes click .exe association fixes the instructions are on that page how to use it. Here is some free online scans http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/ http://www.trojanscan.com/trojanscan/scanner.htm If the above sites can't remove it post back what was found and we will see what needs to be done next Dont get rid of that floppy just yet...might need it again. Hope there is some help there

Wow, I can't thank you guys enough for the help. I downloaded that .exe registry value, and it took care of the problem. I also got rid of any Norton- or Symantec-related files from my computer (because of that crappy 2004 NAV Trial version), and I'm scanning my hard drive with those online scanners you suggested right now. But, I have a question: are the online antivirus programs as good as the ones you download? Also, what's a good antivirus program that isn't so bulky as Norton and is free? I downloaded Solo, which I believe is freeware, which I've yet to install. Is that a good one?

David, The online scanners are good but only at removing viruses your computer already picked up. You should have an Antivirus Program installed and running in realtime mode so that it will stop any viruses before they infect your computer. Alot of people use the Free AVG Antivirus link which you can download at the link below. I use Norton AV 2003 and never had any problems with it. AVG Antivirus Program HTH Tufenuf

and AVG is a good one... it picked MSBlaster in an instant for me.

Hi david; I hope all is still well. Thanks to everyone for helping david. blender you might have given me a clue to anothers problem. Thankyou. dougknox does know his stuff. Thanks from me too everyone.