Active dekstop not working, executibles aren't either.

I started my computer this morning, only to find a single Chinese or Japanese character in a window pop up with only an, "Ok ", box that you could click. I figured it was a virus of some sort, and that I could run anti-virus programs to get rid of it. Also, the box appeared before Windows started. My computer went through POST first, but the box appeared when the blue Windows screen comes up that says, "Loading all user data." Come to find out, my active desktop gave me an error, so I tried to restore via the link on my desktop, and an error comes that says, "An error has occurred in the script on this page "

The URL is:

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/peter/Application%20Data/Microsoft/Internet%20Explorer/Desktop.htt

So, I tried to right-click to go to properties, and the properties window wouldn't load.

I went to my start menu, all my programs seem to be missing. I start clicking on various programs, and they all give me the same error, "Windows cannot find program name.Ink "

So I thought my shortcuts were corrupted. I went to some various root folders and tried it that way. All the programs exe's were "missing" meaning they all had the default icon for exe's, the plain white one. When I tried to double-click them, they turned grey. I tried some various programs from the cmd prompt, and also from the run command, nothing worked.

If I open a FILE that uses a certain program, then that program will open, even if I can't open the program myself. For example, I opened a MP3 file, and Winamp opened. I opened a MPEG, and Windows Media Player opened. I downloaded a video from the internet, and my download manager opened.

I successfully ran a virus-check on my entire C folder by right clicking on the folder and selecting "scan with AVG." Only a few things came up: a couple of Java files saying they weren't the original size when they were first modified, and one Trojan Horse, but I knew it was there, and I know it wasn't affecting anything.

I rebooted my computer and used the last known good settings, and nothing changed. I rebooted in safe mode, that didn't work either. My programs just don't work. I can't open anything myself.

I tried to do a Windows repair with my Windows CD, but it asked my for an administrator password, and I don't know what it is, and I'm not even sure I ever set one. I can't go into the Users Accounts, because it doesn't open!

I appreciate any help.

 

For your exe problem try downloading and running this regfile.

EXE (lnk and regfile) Fix for Windows XP

Line 12, left side.

It may well come to a repair but it can't hurt to give it a try.

 

The Desktop.htt "hijack" at startup is an indication of a SmitFraud/Zlob infection. The default file is replace with javascript and executed at startup.

Your other issues are malware related as well.

As SmitFraud is rarely by itself, I suggest a visit to the spyware removal subforum: http://www.windowsbbs.com/forumdisplay.php?f=41

Once everything is cleaned up, I would like you to:

. Apply this Hotfix for Recovery Console passwords: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308402/EN-US/
. And/or enable autologon in Recovery Console: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312149