HELP! None of my programs will run!

[seattlehil]

Hello,
I installed spybot and now I can not run any programs! I tried to go to a restore point but that program won't run either! I tried downloading a registry repair program, and again, it won't run! HELP!!!!!

[md usa spybot fan]

seattlehil:

It sounds like your problem maybe a file association problem with .exe files.

If you are running Windows XP, the following Web page has fixes for problems with file associations:

• Windows® XP File Association Fixes
  http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

The fix for EXE files is:

• EXE File Association Fix (Restore default association for EXE files)

NOTE: If your EXE file associations are corrupted, it can be difficult to open REGEDIT, or to even import REG files. To work around this, press CTRL-ALT-DEL and open Task Manager. Once there, click File, then hold down the CTRL key and click New Task (Run). This will open a Command Prompt window. Enter REGEDIT.EXE and press Enter.
Thanks to Nigel Andrews for this tip.

[seattlehil]

OK, now what do I do? I used the workaround tip and I do not know what to do now :-( Sorry, I'm a newbie

[md usa spybot fan]

Try the following:

• Download the following file (xp_exe_fix.zip):
  
  • Windows® XP File Association Fixes
    http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm
• Extract the content of the xp_exe_fix.zip file (xp_exe_fix.reg) to a known location by right clicking on the the xp_exe_fix.zip file and selecting Extract All...
• Double click on the extracted xp_exe_fix.reg to execute it (see note below).
  
  • Answer Yes then OK.

Note:

• If double clicking on the extracted xp_exe_fix.reg file does not execute RegEdit, then execute RegEdit from Windows Task Manager as described above.
• Once the Registry Editor is executing, go to the file menu and select Import...
• Navigate to the extracted xp_exe_fix.reg file and open it.
  
  • Answer Yes then OK.

[tjm999]

Bummer - I did the exact same thing. Someone who knows Regedit better than I do help me using the fix above. It will get you going again. I had to run this by opening task manager and click on "File" and then "New Task".

My system runs but a number of taskbar applications do not work. I have not figured out how to fix those. You may end up with the same issue one you get going again.

Good luck.