Re: laptop cannot run any programs

BigWaveDave wrote:

> Desktop has no icons, but does have a nice background picture. Cannot
> run any programs from the start button and the programs that are
> listed just have
> the default icon on them. When trying to use the run command to run a
> program (cmd.exe for example) the error "This file does not have a
> program
> associated with it for performing this action. Create an association
> in the
> Folder Options control panel." pops up. Same thing happens in safe
> mode unless you choose command prompt only.
>
> Contacted Fujitsu tech support and they said there is no way of
> repairing
> this other than reinstalling windows. Before I do that I need to
> transfer
> the important data files such as pictures to another drive. Is there
> a way
> to load network drivers from safe mode command prompt? Or is there a
> way to get an IEEE 1394 drive to work in safe mode command prompt?
>
> Maybe the problem could be fixed without reinstalling windows. I
> tried running regclean, but it was no help.
>
It sounds like you've got viruses and/or other malware. You can try
cleaning them up or, if you don't feel confident in your skills, have a
professional computer repair shop do it. Otherwise, if you've decided
to reinstall Windows, you can get your data off in a number of ways.
First, here are general malware removal steps:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

1. You can slave the hard drive in another machine with a working XP
installation. If you suspect viruses have caused the issue, scan the
drive with your installed av (on the host machine) first. If this is a
laptop and you don't have the necessary external drive enclosure or
laptop drive-IDE adapter then see next step.

2. You can either boot with Knoppix or a Bart's PE to get the files.
Here is information about using Knoppix, with a link to Bart's PE
Builder afterwards.

An easy way to retrieve Windows files is to boot with Knoppix, a Linux
distro on a live cd. You will need a computer with two cd drives, one
of which is a cd/dvd-rw OR a usb thumb drive with enough capacity to
hold your data. To get Knoppix, you need a computer with a fast
Internet connection and third-party burning software. Download the
Knoppix .iso from www.knoppix.net and create your bootable cd. Then
boot with it and it will be able to see the Windows files. If you are
using the usb thumb drive, right-click on its icon (on the Desktop) to
get its properties and uncheck the box that says "Read Only". Then
click on it to open it. Note that the default mouse action in the
window manager used by Knoppix (KDE) is a single click to open instead
of the traditional MS Windows' double-click. Otherwise, use the K3b
burning program to burn the files to cd/dvd-r's.

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ (Bart's PE)

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows User/Shell
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"
.