I was on a site and it wanted me to download a video codex or something...Well first mistake I Did!. Now at first my computer would not even start up right. I kept getting a flash screen telling me i need a spyware program and it was flashing from that screen to the desktop screen over and over.
I finally got it to start up to where it wasn't flashing anymore. I run windows 2000 professional. I hit start went to search and did viruses. Well AVG found some and removed them. Now when i boot up my computer no links on my desktop work. I cannot start any program no mater how I try. Give me the same error. Cannot find file C:\\ .... Make sure the path and file name are correct... ect. Even going to the exe file in the programs folder gives me the same message. Also ctrl+alt+del to go to task manager my task manager button is grayed out. I can however find a link or old page that was saved to get online or start programs from actual file that use that program. For instance i can look at pictures on my harddrive by finding a file and open it and Infranview will open. But i cannot open infranview by any program links or exe file.
I dont have a disk for the computer. I was given the computer a few years back and everything was preloaded. I tried to load a game also and it would not install. So as of now im not sure what to do. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Shawn

Sounds like it wiped your .exe function or disassociated the .exe function.

The most serious problem is you have no CD.

Did you have any backup on the registry?

Thanks for the response!
But, no back ups. I was wondering if there was a way to run a registry fix program from DOS or another way to run it.
Also if there was a way to reset the start up setting in bios or something like that. Basically put it back to normal start up without having to throw the computer out the window

To answer your questions: no.

It has been a few years since I've used Win2K but try the Task Manager first. See this:

http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-1735950.php

In a worse case scenario you can load UBUNTU for free.

Think if i upgraded to Windows xp or newer it would fix these problems? Or would i have to do a whole new install with xp and get rid of all thats on my computer?

Upgrading to XP should be no problem.

An upgrade is no different from a new version except it requires a previous version of Windows which you have in 2K.

The only issue here is that if you ever need to reinstall XP from an upgrade you will need a previous Windows CD.

I had this exact problem after upgrading from 2K to XP without a 2K CD. When I needed to reinstall I found a '98 CD which I used.

Anyway why not try to fix this. Did you try the Task Manager fix? This is a common virus registry change to dis-allow your permissions.

Not sure any of these will help, but check out:
http://www.akadia.com/services/file_association.html
http://www.techsupportforum.com/micr...n-wordpad.html
http://windowsitpro.com/article/arti...sociation.html

Well i tried the task mgr fix and reboot and now anything i click on says error 'error this operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer contact admin.' Well i am the admin and i canot get nothing to work now. Had to open my computer and hit a bookmark just to open IE and thats the only thing working now... cant even open anything. Not sure if i did something wrong but it sounds like im really screwed now! I cant get gpedit.msc to run now. that message 'error this operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer' pops up....

Any more suggestions? I think those links you had posted Digerati may have worked but i didnt get a chance to try em yet. Anyway to be able to get back into there and reverse any changes? Or should i just upgrade to xp. Also If i just get an up grade will i be able to install it with these errors? Or am i going to have to do a full install? Im not even sure i know how to do that. Never done a full install.
Thanks for the replys and help also. I appreciate it

Here is the error:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278839

As I mentioned previously there is no difference between an upgrade and a full install.

The upgrade CD is just cheaper as it requires a previous version of Windows.