mail client is not properly installed

When I click on any e-mail or contact link, wether it be in an e-mail or a web page, I get a message that says that "cannot perform this operatin because, default mail client is not properly installed ". Then a ton of pages ( action cancelled )open in a loop and it takes 5 minutes to close them all. The computer locks up and I have to Ctl-Alt-Del and close the process.

This just started happening. I ran all the spyware programs and anti-virus and everything comes up clean. I tried a system restore, but now that does not seem to be working as it keeps telling me to pick another restore point.

I tried some fixes that I found in other forums and even the one posted in one here, but to no avail. I could use some help. I don't want to have to reintall windows and go to a factory install.

This only happens on my desktop and not on the other users.

 

Create a new user (and hence a new profile).
Copy the contents of your older profile.

If after a test the issue is resolved, use the new username from now on in order to avoid the profile corruption of the original.

See: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151