Cannot run any program files (vista sp1)

andre123 · 9th July 2009

everytime i try run a *.exe file i get the following error.

"Windows cannot find C:\xxx\xxx.exe. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and try again"

this happens with no matter which setup exe. i also get it when trying to load some software that belongs to windows (network setting, defrag etc.)

any help would be gfreatly appreciated. thank you

**Steve R Jones** · 9th July 2009

Did you make ANY type of change to the pc prior to this issue starting?

andre123 · 9th July 2009

nope just random net surfing..

Evan Omo · 9th July 2009

Hi andre123. Read this, You cannot start programs when your computer is infected with the SirCam virus.

And this, You Are Unable to Start a Program with an .exe File Extension.

If neither of those options resolve your problem then download the exe file assiciation fix from here, Windows XP File Association Fixes.

Please note that even though the articles and fixes are for Windows XP they also apply to Windows Vista.

andre123 · 10th July 2009

i read first instructions but there were no signs of SirCam virus.

i tried the second instructions but also came up clean.

i was unable to run the reg_exe_fix cause i get the error i mentioned earlier when trying to load an exe. i started comp in safe mode and was able to run regedit but wasn't able to properly import the reg fix cause it says that all registers could not be done because some of the processes needed dont run in safe mode.

i booted the comp in normal mode and tried renaming the regedit.exe to regedit.com but it would say that the file does not exit..

**broni** · 10th July 2009

Upload following files to http://www.virustotal.com/ for security check:
- explorer.exe located @ C:\Windows
- userinit.exe and svchost.exe located @ C:\Windows\System32

Evan Omo · 10th July 2009

Ok try this, click Start< Run and type sfc /scannow and press enter. Note that there is a space between the c and the / in the sfc comand. This command will check the integrity of all Windows files. Let me know if it finds any corrupt system files.

After sfc has finished click Start< Run type cmd and press enter. When command prompt opens type chkdsk and hit enter. Check Disk will ask you if it can run on the next reboot. Press Y and hit enter. Reboot the computer which will allow check disk to run. After check disk has finished try running the exe file association fix again.

andre123 · 10th July 2009

ok I think it's GG now

I tried sfc but it would not work. so I thought it might work when I'm safe mode.. when the laptop was shutting down it said 'installing updates' which I thought was unusual since I didn't download any updates. when laptop restarted and began booting up it was taking longer than usual. after a few minutes I got the msg 'operating system missing'.. I rebooted again but got the same MSG again.

I think I might just format and get it over and done with. now I would like to back up some stuff by putting the laptop's hdd into my bro's pc. what precautions should I take so that my bro's comp does not get infected

Evan Omo · 10th July 2009

If you are going to hook up the harddrive into your bro's computer make sure you hook it up as a slave drive. Once you hook it up, backup all the important data that you wish to save. Also if you are worried about getting your bro's computer infected with malware run a malware scan using Malware Bytes Anti-Malware.