unable to open any programs in windows Xp

[Mikebee21]

I'm working on a clients computer with the following specs

Intel Celeron 1.6 ghz
1 gb ram
Asus motherboard
Windows Xp

When it loads windows and I try to open up ms word, IE8 event viewer or any other program it will not open them. I can get into control panel and C drive but any program will not open. Can't update any of the programs either. I googled the problem and they had me try this file extension fix from dougknox.com and that didn't fix it. Any ideas.

Additional Comment:

Also I can run avg anti virus and its not picking up anything.

Additional Comment:

I was able to fix it by going to the run command and type in the system restore path and restored the computer to a couple days ago but if anybody has any ideas on a different fix I would like to know

[Transnone13]

Really weird, would have had to tool around on it. Good you fixed it though. Lucky with restore fix.

[Mikebee21]

Yea I couldn't get to restore in the start menu had to type in the path. Really weird took me a while to figure that out

[BigE4u]

Antivirus shouldnt be the only program you need to have installed for finding infections.... malwarebytes, superantispyware along with kaspersky antiroot kit and ccleaner would help too.

You can install them in safe mode, be sure its with networking as well so after you install mentioned programs, you'll need to do update them, disconnect from the internet and do "full" scans with each, then run scan again in regular windows... clean infections out first, then do a system restore, go back at least 5days.

[Mikebee21]

i didn't say that was the only program installed that was the only program i can get into. I tried it in safe mode as well with the same result. I couldn't get into malwarebytes or ccleaner. I think the only reason why I can get into AVG is because it was running already so pretty much anything with .exe wouldn't work in normal or safe mode. I thought it was a virus at first as well and it still could be but couldn't do anything about it. I did run anti virus and malwarebytes after I restored the computer and didn't pick up anything. I'm just glad I didn't have to do a reinstall of windows.

[PommieB]

Had the same problem, didn't bother fixing it, had a week old clone, just re-cloned. didn't lose much, haven't been on computer much, been too busy with other things, I put it down to Malware, hasn't missed a beat since.

[Mikebee21]

I was thinking the samething that it was malware