no executables / icons changed XP

i have a machine sitting next to me that is ill. all icons for progam links have changed, cant execute anything from anywhere, ie. regedit from run, anything on desktop etc....
ideas ?
i could put drive in another machine and scan it that way.

 

What happens when you attempt to run from the desktop? Is it just icons changed, or do they no longer run.
And, Regedit via the Run. It just starts and then finishes?

Do programs run via Start > Programs.?

 

ad-aware is run from any icon, regardless of where, desktop/start/allprograms.

from the run prompt: windows can not open this file, for things like regedit/ msconfig

 

"ad-aware is run from any icon, regardless of where, desktop/start/allprograms."

In your first post you said the programs didn't run when you clicked on tem. Are you now saying that when you click on an icon, "AdAware" runs?? AdAware, as in the Spyware program???


"from the run prompt: windows can not open this file, for things like regedit/ msconfig"

Please post the exact message you are getting.