Cleansed computer has broken links to files

gnowgnow

New member
I recently ran McAfee Stinger to cleanse FalseAlert and Trojan viruses in my computer. I then downloaded Spybot to ensure my machine is clean. Spybot removed several more files. However, when I ran some of my application sofeware, I discover I can't open many files. I get the message "Not possible to open XXXX.yy" Can someone please help me?
 
What type of files will not open?Is it .exe files?

Could you open Spybot,click Mode up top,select Advanced mode,(if a warning window comes up,please select "Yes"),then click Tools,View Reports,then click View Previous Reports.

The Spybot logfiles are dated(Checks.yymmdd-hhmm or Fixes.yymmdd-hhmm).Please select the Spybot Fixes logfile from the scan where the several more files were removed and doubleclick it.It should open in the Spybot window.Rightclick somewhere in that window,and select "Select All".Then rightclick again,select Copy,then Paste the logfile here in a reply.
 
I recently ran McAfee Stinger to cleanse FalseAlert and Trojan viruses in my computer. I then downloaded Spybot to ensure my machine is clean. Spybot removed several more files. However, when I ran some of my application sofeware, I discover I can't open many files. I get the message "Not possible to open XXXX.yy" Can someone please help me?

I'm a newby and so unfamiliar with the format of responding, but I would like to thank you for addressing my problem.

The files that lost the link are not exe files. They are data files but I can't find those files in the locations I stored them.

Here is file Fixes log:


--- Report generated: 2012-01-08 20:25 ---

DoubleClick: Tracking cookie (Internet Explorer: Ken) (Cookie, fixed)


DoubleClick: Tracking cookie (Chrome: Chrome) (Cookie, fixed)


DoubleClick: Tracking cookie (Chrome: Chrome) (Cookie, fixed)


DoubleClick: Tracking cookie (Chrome: Chrome) (Cookie, fixed)



--- Spybot - Search & Destroy version: 1.6.2 (build: 20090126) ---

2009-01-26 blindman.exe (1.0.0.8)
2009-01-26 SDFiles.exe (1.6.1.7)
2009-01-26 SDMain.exe (1.0.0.6)
2009-01-26 SDShred.exe (1.0.2.5)
2009-01-26 SDUpdate.exe (1.6.0.12)
2009-01-26 SDWinSec.exe (1.0.0.12)
2009-01-26 SpybotSD.exe (1.6.2.46)
2009-01-26 TeaTimer.exe (1.6.4.26)
2012-01-08 unins000.exe (51.49.0.0)
2009-01-26 Update.exe (1.6.0.7)
2009-01-26 advcheck.dll (1.6.2.15)
2007-04-02 aports.dll (2.1.0.0)
2008-06-14 DelZip179.dll (1.79.11.1)
2009-01-26 SDHelper.dll (1.6.2.14)
2008-06-19 sqlite3.dll
2009-01-26 Tools.dll (2.1.6.10)
2009-01-16 UninsSrv.dll (1.0.0.0)
2011-03-18 Includes\Adware.sbi (*)
2011-12-29 Includes\AdwareC.sbi (*)
2010-08-12 Includes\Cookies.sbi (*)
2010-12-14 Includes\Dialer.sbi (*)
2011-11-29 Includes\DialerC.sbi (*)
2011-02-24 Includes\HeavyDuty.sbi (*)
2011-03-29 Includes\Hijackers.sbi (*)
2011-10-04 Includes\HijackersC.sbi (*)
2010-09-15 Includes\iPhone.sbi (*)
2010-12-14 Includes\Keyloggers.sbi (*)
2011-09-26 Includes\KeyloggersC.sbi (*)
2004-11-29 Includes\LSP.sbi (*)
2011-12-07 Includes\Malware.sbi (*)
2012-01-03 Includes\MalwareC.sbi (*)
2011-02-24 Includes\PUPS.sbi (*)
2011-12-27 Includes\PUPSC.sbi (*)
2010-01-25 Includes\Revision.sbi (*)
2011-02-24 Includes\Security.sbi (*)
2011-12-13 Includes\SecurityC.sbi (*)
2008-06-03 Includes\Spybots.sbi (*)
2008-06-03 Includes\SpybotsC.sbi (*)
2011-10-18 Includes\Spyware.sbi (*)
2011-10-18 Includes\SpywareC.sbi (*)
2010-03-08 Includes\Tracks.uti
2011-09-27 Includes\Trojans.sbi (*)
2012-01-02 Includes\TrojansC-02.sbi (*)
2011-12-28 Includes\TrojansC-03.sbi (*)
2012-01-03 Includes\TrojansC-04.sbi (*)
2012-01-02 Includes\TrojansC-05.sbi (*)
2012-01-02 Includes\TrojansC.sbi (*)
2008-03-04 Plugins\Chai.dll
2008-03-05 Plugins\Fennel.dll
2008-02-26 Plugins\Mate.dll
2007-12-24 Plugins\TCPIPAddress.dll
 
You're welcome.Thank you for posting the logfile. :)
Just some tracking cookies were removed when you ran that particular scan with Spybot,so that would not have an affect on any of your data files.

If the data files are missing from the location you stored them,it's possible that another program might have removed them for a couple of reasons.For example,the files might have been removed due to a false positive,etc.

I see in some instructions for Stinger that it's possible to save the scan results to a logfile.Did you happen to save the Stinger scan results,by any chance?
 
Unfortunately, I didn't save any information generated by Stinger.

Now, I find another application program that has an error message (shown below). The file in the message must be an integral part of the program as I went to the program folder and couldn't find the file.


Not possible to open thefile
File Transaction1134H016K
 
May I ask the name of the program that you were trying to open when you received the "Not possible to open the file File Transaction1134H016K" message?

Also,when you were running the previous application or applications,were you actually getting the "Not possible to open XXXX.yy" message,or did you put in XXXX.yy just for an example?
And may I ask the names of the programs you were running when you got that message?
 
The message comes from a software for adjusting my hearing aid.

The XXX.yy file is an example. The files that I lost the links are Lotus 123, PowerPoint and Word.

Additionally, all the links in my Favorites have disappeared. My OS is Windows 7.
 
One further point, those files I stored in McAfee Vault remained untouched. Unfortunately, I didn't place all the important files in that location.
 
This is a long shot,since even if the malware hid some of your files,your files still should open when running programs.But,it's better to err on the side of caution.
Please click this link,and follow the instructions to temporarily show hidden files in Windows 7:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-see-hidden-files-in-windows/#win7
gnowgnow said:
The files that lost the link are not exe files. They are data files but I can't find those files in the locations I stored them.
Now please go to the location where you stored them,and let me know if they are visible there now.
 
You're a genius. I'm in awe! Using the link you gave me, I was able to see all the data files. The application program lost the links to these files but by double-clinking on these files I was able to load them into the application program such as PowerPoint or Word. Thanks a heap.

I also found a folder called Favorite which contains all my favorites but have disappeared from the screen under Favorites. Is there a quick way of restoring these favorites links.

Also, several people suggested I should install two programs: Hot Virtual Keyboard and Malwarebytes to protect my machine. What are your expert opinions on these programs?
 
problems with deleting spyware

spybot will not remove 12 spyware says i am not the administrator need help free to call Edit- Removed phone number for your own privacy, also we do not call members. ;)
 
Hello,

Windows Vista/Windows 7 might tell you that you are not being allowed to operate at the administration level of your computer.
You can solve this problem as follows:
Right-click the Spybot - Search & Destroy entry in your start menu,
instead of just left-clicking to start it.
Then, choose Run as administrator/take ownership from the context menu.
You will find a screenshot of this problem in our FAQ.

Best regards
Sandra
Team Spybot
 
You're a genius. I'm in awe! Using the link you gave me, I was able to see all the data files. The application program lost the links to these files but by double-clinking on these files I was able to load them into the application program such as PowerPoint or Word. Thanks a heap.

I also found a folder called Favorite which contains all my favorites but have disappeared from the screen under Favorites. Is there a quick way of restoring these favorites links.

Also, several people suggested I should install two programs: Hot Virtual Keyboard and Malwarebytes to protect my machine. What are your expert opinions on these programs?

Good,I'm glad to hear that. :)
For your favorites,please try this:
Click your start button,and type cmd.Rightclick cmd,and select Run as Administrator.
Type,or copy and paste this line into the window:
cd %USERPROFILE%\Favorites
Then press enter.
Next,type attrib,and then press enter.
If your favorites are located in the right spot,you should see your bookmarks listed there,followed by .url It'll look something like this:
A C:\Users\gnowgnow\Favorites\Drivers & Downloads.url

Do your favorites all have sh listed in front of them,like this?
A SH C:\Users\gnowgnow\Favorites\Drivers & Downloads.url

I'm not familiar with Hot Virtual Keyboard but it looks pretty good.MalwareBytes is definately a good program to install,in my opinion. :)
 
Good,I'm glad to hear that. :)
For your favorites,please try this:
Click your start button,and type cmd.Rightclick cmd,and select Run as Administrator.
Type,or copy and paste this line into the window:
cd %USERPROFILE%\Favorites
Then press enter.
Next,type attrib,and then press enter.
If your favorites are located in the right spot,you should see your bookmarks listed there,followed by .url It'll look something like this:
A C:\Users\gnowgnow\Favorites\Drivers & Downloads.url

Do your favorites all have sh listed in front of them,like this?
A SH C:\Users\gnowgnow\Favorites\Drivers & Downloads.url

I'm not familiar with Hot Virtual Keyboard but it looks pretty good.MalwareBytes is definately a good program to install,in my opinion. :)

Following your instructions, this is a segment displayed on the screen:

A H C:\Users\gnowgnow\Favorites\Trade Architures.url
A H C:\Users\gnowgnow\Favorites\USATODAY.url
A H C:\Users\gnowgnow\Favorites\Yahoo! Finance -.url

How do I move the files to Drivers & Downloads?
 
No need to move the files to Driver's & Downloads,the above was just an example of what the .url listed in cmd might look like. :)

Please click your start button,and type cmd.Rightclick cmd,and select Run as Administrator.
Type,or copy and paste this line into the window:
cd %USERPROFILE%\Favorites
Then press enter.
Next,please type in:
attrib -h
Then press enter.
You'll probably get a message in the cmd window that says: "Not resetting system file - C:\Users\gnowgnow\Favorites\desktop.ini"
No need to worry about that message.
Hopefully,that should remove the hidden attribute from your favorites.
Type exit in the cmd window,then open up Internet Explorer.Are your favorites visible now?
 
No need to move the files to Driver's & Downloads,the above was just an example of what the .url listed in cmd might look like. :)

Please click your start button,and type cmd.Rightclick cmd,and select Run as Administrator.
Type,or copy and paste this line into the window:
cd %USERPROFILE%\Favorites
Then press enter.
Next,please type in:
attrib -h
Then press enter.
You'll probably get a message in the cmd window that says: "Not resetting system file - C:\Users\gnowgnow\Favorites\desktop.ini"
No need to worry about that message.
Hopefully,that should remove the hidden attribute from your favorites.
Type exit in the cmd window,then open up Internet Explorer.Are your favorites visible now?

Works like a charm. Got all my favorites back. Save me a lot of efforts to retype all the favorites. Really appreciate your help.

Could the file Transaction1134H016K be hidden? Anyway to check that, Guru?
 
Good,I'm glad to hear that.You're welcome. :)

No,I don't believe Transaction1134H016K being hidden would be the problem,since if it is,your program should still be able to open it.
If you've reversed showing hidden files,please go here to temporarily unhide them once again:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-see-hidden-files-in-windows/#win7
Please click your start button,then type,or copy and paste in Transaction1134H016K
If the file appears in your start menu,rightclick it and select Open file location.After the file location opens,could you highlight the text in the address bar above,then right click and select Copy.Please paste it here in your reply.
 
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