IE error...

Morning everyone,

Since downloading the update for Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications, unknowingly, I cannot access IE. This is what the box says everytime I try to open IE up:

"Windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item ".

I have since disabled and removed wondows genuine advantage notifications and nothing has changed.

Not sure how to fix this, therefore I've come here for some help and advice,

Any help is much appreciated,
Thank-you,

Lucy

 

joesteph--Do you have Administrator rights?
What version of Windows do you run?
If XP Pro, Right click on your iexplore.exe file|Properties. Do you see a Security tab? If so, click it. Are all the boxes (except perhaps Special Permissions) checked for your and Adminstrator accounts? If not, check Allow for each|Apply|OK.
If XP Home, you will have to do the same, but in Safe Mode.
If you do not have a Security tab, click (in Windows) Tools|Folder Options|View tab| uncheck "Use Simple File Sharing "|Apply|OK. (Yes, I know it says "recommended ", but having it checked is stopping you from accessing Permissions.)
Now follow the procedure above.

I presume you do have a legitimate copy of Windows.
You may want to see if you have left any pieces of Genuine Advantage behind. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...lt&cd=1&q=uninstall+Genuine+Advantage&spell=1
If nothing works, perhaps a System Restore to a date prior to installing Genuine Advantage?

 

Thank-you for replying Welshjim!

I am running windows xp Pro and it is not a genuine copy. I also do not have administrator rights. In iexplorer.exe I do not have the security tab therefore I went to plan B, as you suggested but I am having difficulties locating, tools/folder options/view tab in windows. How can I find this? I did browse through windows and did not find such folders. Please bear with me as I am still learning as I go.

Thanks again,
Lucy

 

joesteph--Regrets.
If you do not have a legitimate copy of Windows, I think it is going to be difficult to help you. I have already provided info on how to defeat the Genuine Advantage software. But if that does not help, I am probably at a dead end.
You will find you cannot use Windows Updates, for example, since it will ask to verify your copy of Windows.
Did you ever have a legitimate copy of any Windows version (starting with Win98) and still have the CD? I think you can buy an upgrade legitimate version of WinXP and with the old legitimate CD of Windows can use it to install a genuine version of Windows. If not you will have to buy a full retail version of WinXP. Amazon.com may be of some help on price.
Perhaps someone who has been in this situation can help you, but it will cost some money (like at least $100).

 

Thanks again for all your help and suggestions Jim!!!