BleepingComputer.com: Windows and IE problems

I think XP Defender Pro rogue anti-virus deleted or screwed up my Windows OS and IE program. Nothing on my desktop works anymore. I can run Mozilla Firefox(somehow), but everything that has to do with any other programs does not work. I have tried to run AVG, but it does come up to run. Plus everything will 'freeze up' on the computer, except for the mouse. But I can not click on anything.

Warning Box appears when I double-click on desktop program(this happens on everything):

"File does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Folder Options control panel."

When I put my XP disc in I can access the internet through Mozilla, but not IE. The same 'warning' above appears.

Any help PLEASE.

The warning means your file associations are messed up.

Grinler has created a program which fixes basic file associations (among doing other things). You can download it from here : rkill.com. Save it to your desktop and run it.


You can also download various file association fixes from here : http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm
In using DougKnox fixes, first of all use the Zip file association fix. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del to open Task Manager, Choose New Task, type regedit.exe and press Enter to open the Registry Editor. In the Registry Editor, choose File > Import and select the Zip file association fix you downloaded zip_folder_fix.reg.
Similarly, next use the REG file fix. Then the EXE file fix and so on.

But the Grinler RKill method is easier.

Thank You Romeo29 it looks like everything is working great. The number of process' in the Task Manager is back up to 47 or so. I am going to run full scans of Malwarebytes and AVG to make sure all the XP Defender Pro is gone. If there anything else I need to do other than those please let me know.

Again Thanks a lot...Bleeping Computer is AWESOME!

I am glad that your computer is running well
I am sure that the HJT members of BleepingComputer have already advised you about scanning etc. I can only say one or two things :
If you are not using the paid version of the AVG antivirus, then I would advise you to uninstall it and use Avast! 5.0 free antivirus instead or Avira 10.0 free.
You have Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware which is very good. But you should also scan your computer with SuperAntispyware.

This post has been edited by Romeo29: 04 April 2010 - 06:39 AM

I removed AVG Free and installed Avast A/V Free to use as my anti-virus software. I am going to use both Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware cause they both do good things respectively. Thanks for the advice.

I have run all A/V and malware programs and I still get the unwanted redirect or surprise window openings. What else should I do to get rid of this annoyance.

It looks as though the malware is not entirely gone. Please create a in the Am I infected? What do I do? sub-forum with a description of the problems you are having and the steps taken so far.

Please be patient as it could take a few days before you get your first reply. Do not "bump" your topic by replying to it, as that will only further delay a response (MRT members are looking for topics with 0 replies...if you reply to your own first, it will appear that you are already receiving help and thus delay receiving actual help).

Good luck.