I think something got mismatched on my registry. When I turned on my laptop, I got an error message that the registry was messed up but was automatically fixed. When I booted up several messages came up each associated with desktop icons. It said that it couldn't find the file to open them with. I believe the extension was *.lnk but am not certain. I made the mistake of assuming that these files should be linked with the program associated with it...e.g. firefox.lnk with firefox. When I selected the program, all my desktop shortcuts switched icons and stopped working. I can still see the target file but the shortcut doesn't work anymore. Also, the programs from the start menu don't work either.

Any ideas?

Thanks

First try is a System Restore

start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

Set it back to the most recent date that worked properly.

If this doesn't work there are several registry fixes but try this first and let us know.

Worked great! Thanks!!

That behavior is usually associated with a malware/spyware/virus.

You most likely removed it by the restore but you might ask yourself if you have been to sites or downloaded anything that might have coincided.

If you have further concerns in this area you might want to post a HijackThis log for our Pros to review:

Please follow the instructions HERE & then post your log in a new thread in the Spyware, Adware, Viruses and HijackThis Logs section.
(Not in this section please).

Please specify what issues you appear to be experiencing along with your log.

.....................anyway glad you got it going again and thanks for all the thanks!

A virus was my first thought. I scanned my hard dive last night with Norton and it was clean.

That error message that popped up about the registry. This is a typical ploy used not so much by a virus as by a malware application.

Errors of Spyware or Registry problems prompting you to download this or that...

It is very important to note these details as such errors from Windows itself are rare.