Solved: programs open with notepad

[bigste78]

Can anyone help me? My computer has recently started opening all programs with the notepad application. I have looked at the file extensions in 'folder options' and can't see any obvious problems. I can only access Outlook and Internet explorer from my desktop - nothing else works.

 

[Akito]

Might be a virus..

Go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com and run their virus scanner. Let us know if it comes back with anything.

 

[bigste78]

Tried tendmicro's housecall, but found no viruses. Normally use Norton 2004 and run regular scans. Also tried downloading and running xp file association, but that didn't work either. Found this file which is for configuration settings - it is set to open with notepad. Could this be the problem, and if so, what should it open with?

DCBC2A71-70D8-4DAN-EHR8-E0D61DEA3FDF

It is located in \Documents and Settings\Local Settings\Application Data

 

[Akito]

Ok, try downloading and running ad-aware and spybot (make sure you update both before you run the scan!!)

Ad-Aware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com
Spybot: http://security.kolla.de

 

[bigste78]

Can't open Spybot as it opens in a notepad window. I was already using an updated version of ad-aware 6.

 

[Akito]

Yeah, guess that makes sense.

Hmm......

If you can, go into explorer, and then tools > folder options.
Go to "File Types" and see if the .exe file type is registered with notepad. It's a long shot, but I'm not sure what else to do :-/

 

[bigste78]

Here's a thing...there doesn't seem to be an .exe file type listed! There is an .EXC file type that is described as a text document and opens with notepad. Is is possible that a virus or something changed the EXE to EXC and associated it with notepad? If so, what's the best way to fix it?

 

[Fredledingue]

Do a "Find" "files and folders" look for *.exc, then *.exe and see how many *.exe remains.
If some files that you are sure should be exe, are listed as exc, you have the answer.

 

[bigste78]

Managed to create a second administrator account, copy my files & delete my account and re-configure the new account. Lost my e-mails and internet history, but everything is working ok now. Don't know how or why or what caused it??? Thanks for all your help.