Ok, computer has no virus protection, spyware or firewall. I was helping out a friend who's computer was acting up. The only thing I could do for her over the phone was ask her to run spybot which she did. It found 125 spy entries. During the removal of said items the computer froze. Had her shutdown. When she turned it back on none of her exe files will open any program. Text and other files are ok. The message comes up unable to associate any program with this file. Can you please tell me what I can do. I am doing this strictly by phone and have already done the warning about having an unprotected computer. Does she have to reformat and reinstall or is there a simpler way. She is unable to open her browser no programs are operable. Thanks (please keep it simple if possible)

well we know that she cant open exe prog then maybe its only her shortcut! have u tried to go and click on the real .exe file instead of the shortcut ? well i'd try it first.. if does not work well u can do a system restore (click on start, run , u write restore, hit enter .. ) follow on screen instruction .. , but let me tell u that i'd prefer to format that computer because there must be a lot of viruses and spyware and everything ! wow a unprotected computer .. never thought i would see one again ! .. good luck . :0)

You Cannot Start Programs (.exe Files) When Your Computer Is Infected with the SirCam Virus http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311446

Teabag, Tell your friend to use another computer that can access the Internet and go to the link below and download the Fixswen.inf file onto a floppy disk or CD, Transfer the floppy or CD to the problem computer and run the Fixswen.inf file. "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 Tool Hope This Helps, Tufenuf

Found another article: Can't open EXE files http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;555067

No exe files will open. Not just short cuts. Could not get the system restore program to open. Since she doesn't have anything of importance on the computer I suggested that she just format and install. I even tried to get her to fix the key in registery because she insisted and felt she had nothing to lose. Well I am buying her virus protection for her birthday...lol Sure will save on the phone calls. Thanks all. Never again...I am no longer lending helping hands. When everything goes fine it is great but when things go sour ugh....

Dougknox.com-look for file association fixes-then .exe association fix. Download and run. 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.