Can't open exe files

[Resonant Blue]

I cannot open any exe files. I just did a clean install of vista due to a virus that I was having issues with and because any rar files I downloaded were corrupted. After reinstalling vista the first thing I did was go to download firefox.

At that point I thought it might have been an issue with the download file but after trying about 5 times (each time a little bit more installed until it finally did all the way) and after not being able to install any exe files I realized it was a problem with either my hardware or my OS. Everything comes up with some sort of corrupted file or access denied error. I thought it might have been the RAM but Memory diagnostics is saying everything is fine and everything seems to be ok in the registry. After opening the command box and typing assoc exe=exefiles (or something like that)it said access denied. I have no idea what to do at this point and I'm wondering if it was a problem I've had since before the install because I couldn't open any rar files.

[karnyks22]

Resonant Blue Hi.
Something you can try.
Start your computer and keep tapping F8 until the safe mode screen appears. Select "safe mode with networking". When it loads, download the free version of malwarebytes Malwarebytes.org Install, update it and run a full scan while still in safe mode. If you still have this exe problem while in safe mode the only other suggestion I have is to reinstall vista again but reformat your c:\ drive first.
With .rar files you need a third party program to open them, like e.g "winrar". Windows cannot open .rar files.

[Resonant Blue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by karnyks22

Resonant Blue Hi.
Something you can try.
Start your computer and keep tapping F8 until the safe mode screen appears. Select "safe mode with networking". When it loads, download the free version of malwarebytes Malwarebytes.org Install, update it and run a full scan while still in safe mode. If you still have this exe problem while in safe mode the only other suggestion I have is to reinstall vista again but reformat your c:\ drive first.
With .rar files you need a third party program to open them, like e.g "winrar". Windows cannot open .rar files.

Thanks I'll try those options. I was using winrar when they were corrupted. At first I thought it was the program but it seem to be something else.

[Resonant Blue]

Unfortunately neither of these things worked. I thought it might be my RAM but both of my memory sticks seem to be working correctly.

[karnyks22]

Sorry your problem still exists. I would really be looking at reinstalling vista now unless someone can give you a better solution.
Reformat your HD first to ensure a clean instill.

[Resonant Blue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by karnyks22

Sorry your problem still exists. I would really be looking at reinstalling vista now unless someone can give you a better solution.
Reformat your HD first to ensure a clean instill.

Even after the clean install of Vista it didn't work properly.

[karnyks22]

This is not good news. Try this. Click start. In the searchbox type "cmd" without the quotes. Now press Ctrl+Shift+Enter. This will open up a command prompt with administrator privileges. Type "sfc /scannow" without the quotes. "note the space between the c and the /" and press enter. This will scan your windows files and if it finds any errors, try and repair them. If this fails to fix things, try booting with just one memory stick.

[Resonant Blue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by karnyks22

This is not good news. Try this. Click start. In the searchbox type "cmd" without the quotes. Now press Ctrl+Shift+Enter. This will open up a command prompt with administrator privileges. Type "sfc /scannow" without the quotes. "note the space between the c and the /" and press enter. This will scan your windows files and if it finds any errors, try and repair them. If this fails to fix things, try booting with just one memory stick.

It seems the answer to my problems was...service pack 2. I forgot it even existed since I couldn't get it through windows update

[Tim_Tech_One]

A Service Pack fixed that?? Interesting. It sounded to me like you had a little virus friend hiding in your system restore files, thats usually store on a separate partition. So doing a fresh Vista install wouldnt not effect that other partition where the virus homie is probably hanging out at.

If you have anymore problems. Wipe that sucker all the way clean by getting rid of that system restore partition and making a new one once you have a fresh copy of Vista on that puppy.

[Resonant Blue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim_Tech_One

A Service Pack fixed that?? Interesting. It sounded to me like you had a little virus friend hiding in your system restore files, thats usually store on a separate partition. So doing a fresh Vista install wouldnt not effect that other partition where the virus homie is probably hanging out at.

If you have anymore problems. Wipe that sucker all the way clean by getting rid of that system restore partition and making a new one once you have a fresh copy of Vista on that puppy.

I thought it was strange too. I don't seem to have any problems anymore though. At this point I'm saying my goodbyes to vista anyway. I'll be switching to Windows 7 pretty soon.