Hi new member with an xp problem

[daktariSA]

I have just joined. I have a problem I hope someone can solve. My PC is very slow. I downloaded FREE REGISTRY FIX. It found 900 errors. It fixed 100 then said I had to pay. I removed program from add/remove programs and did it all over again. Each time I did this it fixed +- 100 errors. After about 7 times, could no longer open add/remove programs. I can no longer open any .exe file! How can I fix this? Edited March 3, 2009 by BeeCeeBee

[BeeCeeBee]

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help daktari!

 

I am afraid that you have been taken for a bit of a ride. Registry editors can be very dangerous unless you are both careful and knowledgeable. Free programs that do part of a job and then try to scam you into paying for more are the most dangerous of all.

 

The first thing you need to do is try a system restore to a day prior to your using the registry editor. Hopefully it has not interfered with your ability to do so.

 

Simply select System restore from your program files. It can be found under accessories and then system tools. Please get back to us and we will try to sort this out from there.

[daktariSA]

Cant open .exe

 

I tried system restore. It wll not open. Many .exe files now have a small icon with like tumbnail type symbols on it. Any other ideas?

[BeeCeeBee]

I was afraid you would say that. Please try to see if you can do the exact same from safemode. To get to safemode restart your computer and slowly tap (not hold) the F8 key as it begins to boot. You should be taken to a black screen with a number of choices. Select safemode with or without networking by using the arrows and see if you can perform a system restore from there. Safe mode will look very different from your desktop. That is normal.

 

I do not expect that you will be able to do the restore but it is well worth a try.

[daktariSA]

.exe problems

 

I am using a laptop - although I am sure that makes no difference. I tried re-booting, but even when tapping F8 it doesnt give me the black screen or safe mode options. Just boots back to windows

[BeeCeeBee]

Sometimes getting into safe mode can be a bit tricky with different computers. Please try again perhaps with longer slower taps as opposed to morse code style.

[daktariSA]

EXE

 

I managed to re-boot in SAFE mode. Tried system restore. A window comes up (like on all .exe files) with the title "rstui.exe" and the message that windows cannot open the file etc.

[BeeCeeBee]

I am going to ask you to try safe mode once again but this time use the command prompt set forth in the following. Do not be put off by the statement that it is to be used for computers that will not start. Just follow the directions.

 

If this fails we will look into other means of getting you back to normal.

 

How to start the System Restore tool by using the safe mode option with the Command prompt in Windows XP

Edited March 3, 2009 by BeeCeeBee

[DirtyPolo]

Hello daktari,

 

What happens when you try to open a .exe file?

 

does it ask you what program to open it with?

 

If BeeCeeBee's steps do not work, try the following:

 

Solution 1:

 

• Go to Control Panel and then Folder Options.
  
• Select the File Type tab and then click New
  

 

 

http://static.commentcamarche.net/en.kioskea.net/faq/images/0-bQUm3spQ-untitled1-s-.png

(Does your list look similar to the above? or are all file types listed as "(None)"?

 

• Type in EXE file extension and click OK
  

 

 

http://static.commentcamarche.net/en.kioskea.net/faq/images/0-ZjRhfRR3-untitled2-s-.png

• The EXE extension is automatically selected, then click Restore
  
• Close the dialog box
  

 

If that doesn't work, try Solution 2:

 

Download the following archive and extract it. If you are unsure on how to open the archive, use the instructions from here and continue.

 

[ATTACH]202.vB5-legacyid=419[/ATTACH]

 

After you have extracted the archive, you should obtain a file labeled Fix EXE.reg.

 

Double-click on the file and you will be asked whether you want to import the information into the registry or not.

 

Answer Yes to the prompt and sometime later another dialog box will pop up informing you that the operation was successful.

 

After you have done the above, reboot your computer. You should now be able to open EXE files.

 

Note: Using the above registry fix might cause some programs to dysfunction or work incorrectly. In that case, please reinstall the affected programs to resolve their respective errors.

 

Let us know how you get on :)

Fix EXE.zip

Edited March 3, 2009 by DirtyPolo

[daktariSA]

OK thanks very much. All seems to be working now! Really appreciate your help. To know who you helped, see our web page: Home - Daktari Bush School and Animal Orphanage in South Africa

Thanks again!

Ian

[BeeCeeBee]

Can you tell us what method solved the problem Ian. As for your link we are proud to have helped.

[daktariSA]

I did try your version, but my control panel doesnt have folder options (or I do not see it anyway). However the problem does seem to be solved anyway. Thanks for your time.

Ian

[daktariSA]

BCB - your method worked. Thanks again

[BeeCeeBee]

Just stay away from registry editors and come back here if you have a problem. :)

[daktariSA]

Hello daktari,

 

What happens when you try to open a .exe file?

 

does it ask you what program to open it with?

 

If BeeCeeBee's steps do not work, try the following:

 

Solution 1:

 

• Go to Control Panel and then Folder Options.
  
• Select the File Type tab and then click New
  

 

 

http://static.commentcamarche.net/en.kioskea.net/faq/images/0-bQUm3spQ-untitled1-s-.png

(Does your list look similar to the above? or are all file types listed as "(None)"?

 

• Type in EXE file extension and click OK
  

 

 

http://static.commentcamarche.net/en.kioskea.net/faq/images/0-ZjRhfRR3-untitled2-s-.png

• The EXE extension is automatically selected, then click Restore
  
• Close the dialog box
  

 

If that doesn't work, try Solution 2:

 

Download the following archive and extract it. If you are unsure on how to open the archive, use the instructions from here and continue.

 

[ATTACH]419[/ATTACH]

 

After you have extracted the archive, you should obtain a file labeled Fix EXE.reg.

 

Double-click on the file and you will be asked whether you want to import the information into the registry or not.

 

Answer Yes to the prompt and sometime later another dialog box will pop up informing you that the operation was successful.

 

After you have done the above, reboot your computer. You should now be able to open EXE files.

 

Note: Using the above registry fix might cause some programs to dysfunction or work incorrectly. In that case, please reinstall the affected programs to resolve their respective errors.

 

Let us know how you get on :)

Sorry - I am a bit dumb. I did find folder options and followed your instructions. However, it did not give me the option to "restore". I think I will leave it now anyway. It is working. Thanks again!

[DirtyPolo]

Okay, glad it is back to normal :)

 

And thanks, I will revise the above instructions to make sure that they make sense when followed :)

[BeeCeeBee]

That would be because they were already there! :) No need to concern yourself.

[Dalo Harkin]

I just found this in terms of the effects RSTRUI.EXE, Prevx

Obviously DO NOT use the scanner - but it shows the effects it has

[daktariSA]

I seem to be having the same problem all over again! I have tried the safe mode again, restore etc, but it will not let me restore to before Jan 2009. Any other ideas, or should I use the suggested solution by dirty polo?

[daktariSA]

Hi - my PC is back to the same problem. I followed your steps, but do not get the option to"restore". Any ideas?

[RandyL]

daktari I'm wondering if the restore option only fixed a bigger problem temporarily. You have symptoms that could be caused by malware. The fact that they came back after you fixed it by a System Restore leads me to believe you may be infected and the original infection has not been dealt with.

 

The problems seem to be related to a trojan infection or more then one. I don't recall if you have an Antivirus program, antispyware program or a firewall. If you do I don't know what they are.

 

At this point I would suggest you follow our disinfection guide before you do anything else. In most cases it works as is but if there is a problem we can easily work around it.

 

Make sure you follow all the steps exactly as written. Including the SR steps at the end since SR is no longer a viable fix for you.

 

 

Your computer appears to be infected with Malware. Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent. It is a combination of the words malicious and software. The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.

 

It is in your best interest to note the following:

1. Please disable your resident security applications (such as AVG, Spybot, WinPatrol, etc.) before performing the below procedure so that they do not interfere with the process.
   
2. Perform all the steps in the order listed to avoid any conflicts.
   
3. If unsure, please stop and voice your doubts.
   
4. You might be required to go offline during the disinfection process. Therefore, it is recommended to print off the instructions below for ease of reference.
   

If you stick to the above guidelines, all should go smoothly.

 

================================================

STEP 1

1. Download ATF-Cleaner by Atribune.
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click on the file to run the program.
   
4. On the Main tab, check the Select All button.
   
5. Next, click on the Firefox tab (if applicable) and check the Select All button.
    
   Note: If you would like to preserve your saved passwords in Firefox, then click No at the corresponding prompt.
   
6. Now, click on the Opera tab (if applicable) and check the Select All button.
    
   Note: If you would like to preserve your saved passwords in Opera, then click No at the corresponding prompt.
   
7. Press the Empty Selected button and click OK to acknowledge the corresponding prompt.
   
8. Click on the Exit button to quit the program.
   

================================================

STEP 2

1. Please click here to download Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
   
4. At the end, make sure a check mark is placed next to:
   1. 
      
   2. Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
      
   3. Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
      

[*]Click Finish.

[*]The program will download and update itself if it finds the necessity to do so. Please allow this.

[*]Once the program has loaded, select Perform full scan, then click Scan.

 

Note: Depending on your computer specifications, the scan may take some time to complete. Please wait patiently and do not interrupt the process.

[*]When the scan is complete, click OK, and then Show Results to view the results.

[*]Make sure that every entry is selected, and click Remove Selected.

[*]Restart your computer.

================================================

STEP 3

1. Please click here to download SUPERAntiSpyware (Free Version).
   
2. Save the file to your Desktop.
   
3. Double-click SUPERAntiSpyware.exe and follow the prompts to install the program.
   
4. Open SUPERAntiSpyware.
   
5. Under Configuration and Preferences, click the Preferences button.
   
6. Click the Scanning Control tab.
   
7. Under Scanner Options make sure the following fields checked:

   [*]Click the Close button to leave the control center screen.

   [*]On the main screen, under Scan for Harmful Software click Scan your computer.

   [*]On the left, make sure you check mark C:\Fixed Drive.

   [*]On the right, under Complete Scan, choose Perform Complete Scan.

   [*]Click Next to start the scan. Please be patient while it scans your computer.

   [*]After the scan is complete, a Scan Summary box will appear with potentially harmful items that were detected. Click OK.

   [*]Make sure every entry has a check mark next to it and click Next.

   [*]A notification will appear that Quarantine and Removal is Complete. Click OK and then Finish to return to the main menu.

   [*]Restart your computer.

   ================================================

   STEP 4
   1. Please visit the ESET Online Scanner, using Internet Explorer to initiate the scan.
       
      Note: If you are running Windows Vista, then you will need Administrative privileges to complete the latter part of the procedure. To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the Start Menu and select the Run As Administrator option in the shell context menu.
      
   2. Check mark the YES, I accept the Terms of Use box.
      
   3. Click the Start button.
      
   4. Click the Install button on the following screen.
      
   5. Click Start. This will will initialize and update the scanner engine.
      
   6. Check mark the box beside Remove found threats.
      
   7. Click the Scan button. This will start the scan. Please be patient while it is in progress.
      
   8. Restart your computer.
      

   ================================================

   STEP 5
   1. Click on Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools and select System Restore.
      
   2. Choose the radio button marked Create a Restore Point on the first screen and click Next. Give the restore point a name then click Create. The new point will be stamped with the current date and time. Keep a note of this so you can find it easily should you need to use System Restore.
      
   3. Next, click on Start > Run, type Cleanmgr and click on OK.
      
   4. Click on the More Options tab.
      
   5. Click the Clean Up button in the System Restore section to remove all previous restore points except the most recent one.
      

   This will remove any infected files that have been backed up by Windows. The files in "System Restore" are protected to prevent any programs changing those files. This is the only foolproof way to ensure the deletion of those files.

    

   Note: Please don't use it on a regular basis as this will clear all previous restore points. The feature might be very useful to revert your computer to working condition if something goes wrong.

    

   Re-enable all your security applications and please return here and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.

    

   Happy Safe Computing!

    

   -- Goku

   __________________

Close browsers before scanning
Scan for tracking cookies
Terminate memory threats before quarantining

[BeeCeeBee]

First try the same thing again but look for a restore point immediately after you got it working again. You reported back to us on 3 March. It should show the restore point that worked for you.

 

If that works you are still going to have to disinfect the machine per RandyL's post but it is far easier to do if you are running normally.

Edited March 8, 2009 by BeeCeeBee

[daktariSA]

Hi I tried step one. Get the message cannot open the file and need to find what program created it etc

[BeeCeeBee]

If you can get it to restore to when we got it working you should then be able to follow the proceedure. Let us know if you can do that.

[BeeCeeBee]

I am a bit confused about where this stands at the moment. Have you followed the instructions that were contained in post 8 above. This worked for you before and should again. It it the command prompt instruction. If you can try to restore it to where you had before or as I said to right after it worked for you.

 

Do you have access to another PC?