Help with Toshiba Laptop

[zman88]

My friend brought his laptop over because he had all kinds of pop ups and things going on. When I booted it up it would go to desktop but only show the wallpaper ,no taskbar nothing. So I booted in safe mode and it went to desktop OK. So I installed spybot first to run it. It was infested with more things I have ever seen. I hit the "fix" button and some pop ups came up for registry changes , I hit ok. I must have "fixed" lol something I should not have. Now it boots normally to desktop and most MS programs work but most if not all other programs wont open and the error "the specified path does not exist" even the spybot I just installed. So obviously something got deleted in the registry that should not have been. It is an old laptop satellite pro 4600 running win 2000 and he has not seen the disc for years. Is there any way to fix this or is it just hosed? TIA sorry for long post

[ctal]

This link might be helpful, although without the cd, and with W2K not having a system restore function, you are facing some challenges!

Help: How to backup and restore your Windows Registry

Regards,
-- Al

[zman88]

Thanks for the reply, it will be a challenge. Do you think it would be possible to use an XP disc ?

[ctal]

Originally Posted by zman88

Thanks for the reply, it will be a challenge. Do you think it would be possible to use an XP disc ?

I don't really know, but my guess would be that it would just mess it up more.

-- Al

[zman88]

Well I guess it can't get messed up anymore than it already is. lol

[zman88]

I did not try my xp disc I have yet , but nothing on that page works because obviously I need the cd. MS has a win2000 reg fix utility that I downloaded but unfortunately I get the same wrong path error. Oh well!

[Ozzie]

The XP disc will do nothing for a 2000 install other than a fresh install.

Sometimes a person just has to cut their losses. I am prone to trashing an install because I mess with things so much...but I keep what I want in a secure place, so I can just have at it.
I've seen so many really get themselves into a bind because they have no way of formatting without losing the data they believe is so important...and now the data they feel is important is hosed too.

How much time are you willing to spend on it? You may be able to save it, but who knows how bad off the install is.
I would work at saving what data you can, and nuke it. A fresh start along with some good basic guidance and he'll be thanking you for the stable and secure system.

[CommandrX]

Does this only effect apps that have the .exe extension?

If so follow this guide:

Method 2: Fixing the association settings using Registry editor

* Click Start, Run and type Command
* Type the following commands one by one:

cd\windows
regedit

* If Registry Editor opens successfully, then navigate to the following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ exefile \ shell \ open \ command

* Double-click the (Default) value in the right pane
* Delete the current value data, and then type:

"%1" %*
(ie., quote-percent-one-quote-space-percent-asterisk.)

* Navigate to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe

* In the right-pane, set (default) to exefile
* Exit the Registry Editor.

This is fixes this problem in XP but should be helpful 2000 as the registry is pretty much laid out the same.

If you run into a problem running Regedit, which most likely you will if the .exe association is your problem then rename regedit.exe to regedit.com.

Hope this helps!

[CommandrX]

Quick note backup the current registry if you can before doing this.

[zman88]

Well, I was one button away from formatting and installing xp when low and behold I decided to come here and take a look at the replies to my post. And I've got one happy friend. good thing you are not here with us because I think he would jump you! LOL Commandrx is his hero Thanks man.

[fvbounty]

Thats was good info, glad to have you around CommandrX!!!!!!!!

[Ozzie]

Bravo!! Nice to see a solution to a real mess!!

[CommandrX]

Glad I could help zman88.

[zman88]

Yea I really appreciate the help. The mess is not over with however. LOL It is still infested with spyware beyond belief. Registry is still corrupt too. Without him having the cd is a real PITA! Every diff. spy scanner I use finds diff spyware! And even each other most of the time. It's ridiculous. They are all free versions and would like any opinions on what might be the best pay spyware removal program ? I'd like to try to just get rid of the virus' and spyware before I call it a day and just install XP. TIA

[CommandrX]

Originally Posted by zman88

Yea I really appreciate the help. The mess is not over with however. LOL It is still infested with spyware beyond belief. Registry is still corrupt too. Without him having the cd is a real PITA! Every diff. spy scanner I use finds diff spyware! And even each other most of the time. It's ridiculous. They are all free versions and would like any opinions on what might be the best pay spyware removal program ? I'd like to try to just get rid of the virus' and spyware before I call it a day and just install XP. TIA

Try running NOD32 I have found that to be the best AV so far. Just download their 30 day trial version which gives full functionality of their product.

Other FREE malware/virus removal products I have found useful:

-Ad-Aware 2007
-Spybot S&D
-X-RayPC (does not remove, but helps identify BAD processes)
-XCleaner Free Online Scan
-SmitfraudFix (not sure if it supports 2000)
-ComboFix (again not sure if it supports 2000) [Make sure you have the latest release.]
-VundoFix
-Look2Me-Destroyer
-Trendmicro Sysclean Package (make sure you download the latest definitions as well)

Not sure if I can post links here but if you do need links I'll PM you.