I don't know what happened. I just opened my pc and i cannot open any application except internet explorer. All the icons, e.g. of media player, spysweeper, winamp etc are not being recognized and i cannot do anything on my pc. do you know what's wrong?? plzzzz help me!! I have some essays to do and nothing functions.. all applications are unrecognizable!!!

Do you have a Restore Point back when things were ok?
Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

Try that first. If no go then boot into Safe Mode (tap the F8 key after BIOS POST) & see if things work there.
also: look in your event viewer: rt. click My Computer then click Manage then Event Viewer.
open the system as well as the application tabs & look for X errors. click error line for details. post back the source & event id.

unfortunately the system restore icon is unrecognizable as well so it doesn't function. I don't know what to do.. maybe it's a virus or something but i cannot cure it as no programs are recognized if you have any suggestions, plzzzz help!!

Try this please.

How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP

Hopefully Bears' suggestion will get you restored.

If not you might want to read this thread:

http://www.d-a-l.com/help/showthread...+funky+symbols

so...i tried to do everything according to "How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP" from Microsoft but I got puzzled. I went to Start/Control Panel/Performance and Maintenance/Administrative Tools/Computer Management/Event Viewer/System and 73 or so have an error. Is there a way I can fix my problem from there?? Otherwise I can give you my hotmail account so we can talk from msn messenger. I don't know what to do. The safe mode starts windows but nothing appears and I have to ctrl-alt-del to restart my computer in the normal way as in the safe mode nothing seems to work. Maybe it's a virus, but plZZZZZZZZZ help me!!!

does the run button work on the start menu?

Run > cmd

then type:

%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe

i tried it and it opens a window that says that windows cannot open this file, and asks me if i want to open it using the web service or select a program from a list

(sorry if I dissapoint you everytime, but I think my system is fuc#ed up!)

start > run > cmd
in the new window type chkdsk/f
when prompted to run on boot choose Y & reboot
this will check for & fix any disk errors.

Also:

Was XP on this computer when bought (OEM with recovery disk)?

Or do you have a full install version of XP?

when i go to start/run and write dmc it opens a window that says that windows cannot open this file, and asks me if i want to open it using the web service or select a program from a list. so i cannot do what you're telling me to do.

it was bought with windows xp home. infortunately i don't know much more about it.

Do i have to reboot? and if yes, is it sure that i will do it properly?