cannot open applications. Registry problem?

Hi all.
I've got a problem with my applications as when I click shortcut on the desktop, nothing happens. The shortcut icons changed to a white squered thing and when I right click on them it only offers Restore Previous Versions instead of open etc. I can open some applications by navigating to their home directory and double click but most of them cannot open at all.
For instance, Firefox seems to be running normally but Word cannot even start.
Also, the sound stopped working as well.
I think I messed my registry with CCLeaner but all backups dissapeared somehow.
Is there any chance to fix it or only reinstall?
I'm running Vista Ultimate 64bit.

Many thanks for any ideas

Roman

Even if you don't have the ccleaner backups anymore, a system restore should work just fine. Failing that, where did you buy your computer with Ultimate from? Chances are you've got access to some kind of support that might be able to give you proper tailored help.

Could try reasocciating the exes -

Do the following (AFTER BACKING UP THE REGISTRY!!)
...Start to cut here...

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe]
@="exefile"
"Content Type"="application/x-msdownload"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\PersistentHandler]
@="{098f2470-bae0-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile]
@="Application"
"EditFlags"=hex:38,07,00,00
"TileInfo"="prop:FileDescription;Company;FileVersion"
"InfoTip"="prop:FileDescription;Company;FileVersion;Create;Size"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\DefaultIcon]
@="%1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open]
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\DropHandler]
@="{86C86720-42A0-1069-A2E8-08002B30309D}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\PEAnalyser]
@="{09A63660-16F9-11d0-B1DF-004F56001CA7}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\PifProps]
@="{86F19A00-42A0-1069-A2E9-08002B30309D}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\ShimLayer Property Page]
@="{513D916F-2A8E-4F51-AEAB-0CBC76FB1AF8}"

...Stop cutting here...

then paste that into a text file, and call it REGFIX.REG, and then execute it, and it will ask you if you really want to import that file into the reg? and u say yes.

Backup your registry first (just incase) - google on how to do this. Then restart.

Also here are some more file associations (for xp, but worth a shot perhaps)
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

Time for in-depth malware checks.

Things to use: Process Explorer, autoruns, tcpview for weird connections, Malwarebytes, a full BitDefender online scan, recently created/modified documents in %windir% and %windir%\system32 (i.e. services/drivers), rootrepeal/rootalyzer, try logging in to HSBC online banking (use the example user ID it gives) and see if it asks for the full PIN, perhaps a search for recently created .exe files etc.

Don't bother with System Restore unless you have done thorough malware checking - any nasties you kill will just restore from a backup which either they or Windows may have helpfully created up for you.

Also check for dodgy memory (memtest86+), run chkdsk, check SMART data with Speedfan, and perhaps run the HDD manufacturer diagnostics CD.

If you believe it to be malware i can help you. Might as well post a Hijackthis log.

I've seen many xp systems randomly corrupt exe association data.

Also i'd advise against logging into any bank account if you believe you're breached.

i tried to install antimalware doft and the following message appeared:
Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime 9.0 Service Pack 1 could not be installed. Please use Windows Update to manually install this update on your system.

hijackthis log:

Code:

---

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 00:51:58, on 21/06/2009
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
F:\programs Vista\Internet Download Manager\IDMan.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe
F:\programs Vista\Internet Download Manager\IEMonitor.exe
F:\programs Vista\firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\NOTEPAD.EXE
J:\programs\virus soft\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = deleted
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = deleted
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_ = deleted
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search = deleted
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = deleted
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = deleted
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: IDM Helper - {0055C089-8582-441B-A0BF-17B458C2A3A8} - F:\programs Vista\Internet Download Manager\IDMIECC.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {074C1DC5-9320-4A9A-947D-C042949C6216} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: SmartSelect - {F4971EE7-DAA0-4053-9964-665D8EE6A077} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {32099AAC-C132-4136-9E9A-4E364A424E17} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {517BDDE4-E3A7-4570-B21E-2B52B6139FC7} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "F:\programs Vista\catalyst\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GrooveMonitor] "F:\programs Vista\ms office enterprise\Office12\GrooveMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [IDMan] F:\programs Vista\Internet Download Manager\IDMan.exe /onboot
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User '?')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User '?')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User '?')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-1137152379-1067775773-752889442-1000\..\Run: [Sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun (User '?')
O8 - Extra context menu item: Append Link Target to Existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Append to Existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert Link Target to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECaptureSeldeleted
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download all links with IDM - F:\programs Vista\Internet Download Manager\IEGetAll.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download FLV video content with IDM - F:\programs Vista\Internet Download Manager\IEGetVL.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download with IDM - F:\programs Vista\Internet Download Manager\IEExt.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://F:\PROGRA~1\MSOFFI~1\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: ICQ6 - {E59EB121-F339-4851-A3BA-FE49C35617C2} - F:\programs Vista\ICQ6.5\ICQ.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ICQ6 - {E59EB121-F339-4851-A3BA-FE49C35617C2} - F:\programs Vista\ICQ6.5\ICQ.exe
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: {3860DD98-0549-4D50-AA72-5D17D200EE10} -//cdn.scan.onecare.live.com/resource/download/scanner/en-US/wlscctrl2.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} - fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab[/url]
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - (no file)
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - (no file)
O23 - Service: ArcSoft Connect Daemon (ACDaemon) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\ArcSoft\Connection Service\Bin\ACService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Adobe Version Cue CS4 - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS4\Server\bin\VersionCueCS4.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Ati External Event Utility - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Ati2evxx.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: HD-DASyncService (DASyncService) - ScriptLogic Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\ScriptLogic\HDAuthority\DASyncService.exe
O23 - Service: @dfsrres.dll,-101 (DFSR) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\DFSR.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Eset HTTP Server (EhttpSrv) - ESET - F:\programs Vista\eset\EHttpSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Eset Service (ekrn) - ESET - F:\programs Vista\eset\x86\ekrn.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Firebird Server - MAGIX Instance (FirebirdServerMAGIXInstance) - MAGIX® - F:\programs Vista\Common\Database\bin\fbserver.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Acresso Software Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service 64 - Acresso Software Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService64.exe
O23 - Service: getPlus(R) Helper - NOS Microsystems Ltd. - C:\Program Files (x86)\NOS\bin\getPlus_HelperSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate1c99544a90af49b) (gupdate1c99544a90af49b) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: HDAsset (HDAuditService) - ScriptLogic Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\ScriptLogic\HDAuthority\HDAuditService.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: lxdiCATSCustConnectService - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\spool\DRIVERS\x64\3\\lxdiserv.exe
O23 - Service: lxdi_device -  - C:\Windows\system32\lxdicoms.exe
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 4.0 - Nero AG - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Nero\Nero BackItUp 4\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SiSoftware Deployment Agent Service (SandraAgentSrv) - SiSoftware - F:\programs Vista\SiSoftware Sandra Professional Business 2009\RpcAgentSrv.exe
O23 - Service: ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus (servicedesk) - Unknown owner - F:\others\ServiceDesk\bin\wrapper.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\SLsvc.exe,-101 (slsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\SLsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: TomTomHOMEService - TomTom - F:\programs Vista\TomTom HOME 2\TomTomHOMEService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\TuneUpDefragService.exe,-1 (TuneUp.Defrag) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\TuneUpDefragService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 10381 bytes

---

From your hijackthis log - all seems clean - a few things you can remove which are no longer active :

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {074C1DC5-9320-4A9A-947D-C042949C6216} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: SmartSelect - {F4971EE7-DAA0-4053-9964-665D8EE6A077} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {32099AAC-C132-4136-9E9A-4E364A424E17} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {517BDDE4-E3A7-4570-B21E-2B52B6139FC7} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - (no file)
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - (no file)
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - (no file)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If some of those entries are true and for instance C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe is missing then you have some major file corruption.
Type this command in the Run box: SFC /SCANNOW should hopefully replace the corrupted/missing windows files

** PLEASE CHECK IF THE 023 FILES ARE ACTUALLY THERE AS THEY MAY WELL BE. IF THEY ARE IGNORE THEM IN HIJACKTHIS AND DONT DELETE **

O23 - Service: ArcSoft Connect Daemon (ACDaemon) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\ArcSoft\Connection Service\Bin\ACService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Ati External Event Utility - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Ati2evxx.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: HD-DASyncService (DASyncService) - ScriptLogic Corporation - C:\Program Files(x86)\ScriptLogic\HDAuthority\DASyncService.exe
O23 - Service: @dfsrres.dll,-101 (DFSR) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\DFSR.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\SLsvc.exe,-101 (slsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\SLsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\TuneUpDefragService.exe,-1 (TuneUp.Defrag) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\TuneUpDefragService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%ProgramFiles%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)




Apart from that, all those entries seem fine.

Have you tried the reg fix? Or a system restore?

EDIT - Also, you might be getting the visual c++ error due to having a version higher than service pack 1. Seen cases of users running server pack 2 visual c++ and having install errors.

thanks guys,
i've tried everything you mentioned + some more. regfix said that some fixes couldn't be aplied.
system restore:
no restore points have been created on your computer's system disk
tried to repair with Vista install disk
also tried rstruit.exe from command promt in save mode.
also tried SFC /SCANNOW but no luck.

i'm starting to worry now :-(

What happens if you create new shortcuts?

This is worth a shout
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/slowrightclick.htm

Try method 2, perhaps a context menu is causing the problem - lots of people on Google had installed DriveHQ and had identical problems straight after.

I was having this same problem, I system restored back about 2 days before and everything was fine.