[dropbear1]

When I request a download, it appears on my XP Download screen. I download an exe file. I then double click, getting the usual Open Executable File? box.
When I press OK, I get a box headed -
C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\My Documents\Downloads\filename.exe
The box contains the message -
Windows cannot access the specified drive, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.
If I press OK again, I get a box titled Launch Application
This contains the text -
This link needs to be opened with an application. Choose an application.

Any idea what's happening here? Thanks in anticipation. Dropbear1

[Saga Lout]

Do you have Computer Administrator under your login name when you look in Control panel>User Accounts, or does it say Limited? Try right clicking the .exe file and then on Run as Administrator and see if that helps. Does this happen on all executable files or just one you've downloaded? If it's only the download, it may be flawed so if you're certain the download site is safe, get another download.

[dropbear1]

Thanks for the reply, Saga Lout. I am logged in as Computer Administrator. Problem occurs with all exe downloads.

[Saga Lout]

Originally Posted by dropbear1

Thanks for the reply, Saga Lout. I am logged in as Computer Administrator. Problem occurs with all exe downloads.

In that case, go to http://www.dougknox.com and seek out Doug's XP exe fix, download that and run it -that should cure this problem.

[dropbear1]

Sadly.....no.

[Saga Lout]

Time to produce a log from a utility called HijackThis so that people can advise if malware is causing this problem. Find it at http://www.trendmicro.com and follow the installation instructions, then click on Scan and save a log. Copy the log and paste it into Notepad and then back to this thread, which might then be moved by the Admins to the Forum wher ethe right people will see it.

Before you do that, pop back to Doug's site and try his LNK fix registry script in case that works.

[dropbear1]

Thanks. Will do.

[dropbear1]

Originally Posted by Saga Lout

Time to produce a log from a utility called HijackThis so that people can advise if malware is causing this problem. Find it at http://www.trendmicro.com and follow the installation instructions, then click on Scan and save a log. Copy the log and paste it into Notepad and then back to this thread, which might then be moved by the Admins to the Forum wher ethe right people will see it.

Before you do that, pop back to Doug's site and try his LNK fix registry script in case that works.

Well, I finally managed to dowload Hijackthis after running the Malicious Software Checker on Microsoft and a Malware Checker. Here's the log.

Thanks for all your help.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 7:20:16 PM, on 3/11/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18372)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\windows\System32\smss.exe
C:\windows\system32\csrss.exe
C:\windows\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\windows\system32\services.exe
C:\windows\system32\lsass.exe
C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe
C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe
C:\windows\System32\svchost.exe
C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe
C:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\windows\SYSTEM32\astsrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360srv.exe
C:\Program Files\Sunbelt Software\CounterSpy\SBAMSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\SfCtlCom.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
C:\Program Files\SPAMfighter\sfus.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\UfSeAgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\SPAMfighter\SFAgent.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit SmartDefrag\IObit SmartDefrag.exe
C:\windows\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\Advanced SystemCare 3\AWC.exe
C:\Program Files\Sunbelt Software\CounterSpy\SBAMTray.exe
C:\Program Files\IObit\Advanced SystemCare 3\Sup_SmartRAM.exe
C:\Program Files\DNA\btdna.exe
C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\windows\System32\alg.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\TmProxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\TmPfw.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\BM\TMBMSRV.exe
C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
C:\windows\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = http=localhost:1037
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = local;*.local
R3 - URLSearchHook: myBabylon English Toolbar - {b2e293ee-fd7e-4c71-a714-5f4750d8d7b7} - C:\Program Files\myBabylon_English\tbmyBa.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: myBabylon English Toolbar - {b2e293ee-fd7e-4c71-a714-5f4750d8d7b7} - C:\Program Files\myBabylon_English\tbmyBa.dll
O2 - BHO: EpsonToolBandKicker Class - {E99421FB-68DD-40F0-B4AC-B7027CAE2F1A} - C:\Program Files\EPSON\EPSON Web-To-Page\EPSON Web-To-Page.dll
O3 - Toolbar: EPSON Web-To-Page - {EE5D279F-081B-4404-994D-C6B60AAEBA6D} - C:\Program Files\EPSON\EPSON Web-To-Page\EPSON Web-To-Page.dll
O3 - Toolbar: myBabylon English Toolbar - {b2e293ee-fd7e-4c71-a714-5f4750d8d7b7} - C:\Program Files\myBabylon_English\tbmyBa.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GrooveMonitor] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus C45 Series] C:\windows\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_S4I3T1.EXE /P23 "EPSON Stylus C45 Series" /O6 "USB001" /M "Stylus C45"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SPAMfighter Agent] "C:\Program Files\SPAMfighter\SFAgent.exe" update delay 60
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmartDefrag] "C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit SmartDefrag\IObit SmartDefrag.exe" /StartUp
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SBAMTray] C:\Program Files\Sunbelt Software\CounterSpy\SBAMTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UfSeAgnt.exe] "C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\UfSeAgnt.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (reboot)] "C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe" /runcleanupscript
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\windows\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Advanced SystemCare 3] "C:\Program Files\IObit\Advanced SystemCare 3\AWC.exe" /startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SmartRAM] "C:\Program Files\IObit\Advanced SystemCare 3\Sup_SmartRAM.exe" /m
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BitTorrent DNA] "C:\Program Files\DNA\btdna.exe"
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Nokia.PCSync] "C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\PcSync2.exe" /NoDialog (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [Nokia.PCSync] "C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\PcSync2.exe" /NoDialog (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to Google Photos Screensa&ver - res://C:\windows\system32\GPhotos.scr/200
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Open using &Advanced JPEG Compressor - C:\Program Files\Advanced JPEG Compressor\ajcieex.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Run IMVU - {d9288080-1baa-4bc4-9cf8-a92d743db949} - C:\windows\system32\shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\windows\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\windows\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {04E214E5-63AF-4236-83C6-A7ADCBF9BD02} (HouseCall Control) - http://housecall60.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan60.cab
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} -
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) -
O16 - DPF: {20A60F0D-9AFA-4515-A0FD-83BD84642501} (Checkers Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary...r.cab56986.cab
O16 - DPF: {48DD0448-9209-4F81-9F6D-D83562940134} -
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) -
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) -
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2...ll/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) -
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\windows\System32\avwav32.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: 66ce743c689 - C:\windows\System32\avwav32.dll
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: AST Service (astcc) - Nalpeiron Ltd. - C:\windows\SYSTEM32\astsrv.exe
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: IS360service - IObit - C:\Program Files\IObit\IObit Security 360\IS360srv.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: O&O CleverCache Pro (OOCleverCache) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\OO Software\CleverCache\OOCCSVC.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: CounterSpy Antispyware (SBAMSvc) - Sunbelt Software - C:\Program Files\Sunbelt Software\CounterSpy\SBAMSvc.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Central Control Component (SfCtlCom) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\SfCtlCom.exe
O23 - Service: SoundMAX Agent Service (SoundMAX Agent Service (default)) - Analog Devices, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
O23 - Service: SPAMfighter Update Service - SPAMfighter ApS - C:\Program Files\SPAMfighter\sfus.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Unauthorized Change Prevention Service (TMBMServer) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\BM\TMBMSRV.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Personal Firewall (TmPfw) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\TmPfw.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Proxy Service (TmProxy) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\TmProxy.exe
O24 - Desktop Component 0: (no name) - http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/image...e410Ivo932.jpg
O24 - Desktop Component 1: (no name) - http://www.vega953.com.au/listen/images/header2.jpg
O24 - Desktop Component 2: (no name) - http://www.watchuseek.com/site/forabar/wus_temp.jpg
O24 - Desktop Component 3: (no name) - http://www.freerice.com/images/overTenGrains.jpg
O24 - Desktop Component 4: (no name) - http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/css/playerbg.jpg
O24 - Desktop Component 5: Warning homepage - C:\WINDOWS\warnhp.html

--
End of file - 11389 bytes

Just to add to the general sense of woe, i'm getting the following blank webpage come up irregularly:
http://url.urtbk.com/cpv.jsp?