Member Avatar for slightshadow

New poster here. I've seen some related things and can't fix this one myself so I am asking for some help. I run AdAware and Spybot S&D daily in addition to using Sygate PF.

My problem: No folder shortcuts on my desktop will open when I double-click them. I can't even right-click them and use "explore", it doesn't work either. The only way I've been able to open Windows Explorer is to right-click the Start button, scroll to Programs, and select "Explore All Users". When I double-click a folder shortcut on my desktop, I get the hourglass for a second, then nothing. No media files will play when I double-click them. When I double-click a mp3 or mpg, avi, asf, etc. nothing. Needless to say, this is as annoying as it gets, any help out there?

Thanks, SS

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 10:30:14 AM, on 9/18/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Unable to get Internet Explorer version!

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\temp\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\Spybot\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Ipswitch.WsftpBrowserHelper - {601ED020-FB6C-11D3-87D8-0050DA59922B} - C:\Program Files\Ipswitch\WS_FTP Pro\wsbho2k0.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\NSW\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\NSW\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\MSDXM.OCX
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmcService] C:\PROGRA~1\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe -startgui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE
O16 - DPF: {11260943-421B-11D0-8EAC-0000C07D88CF} (iPIX ActiveX Control) - http://www.ipix.com/viewers/ipixx.cab
O16 - DPF: {15AD4789-CDB4-47E1-A9DA-992EE8E6BAD6} -
O16 - DPF: {4C226336-4032-489F-9674-67E74225979B} (OTXMovie Class) -

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  • 4 Replies
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  • 1 Day Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by slightshadow

Dani AI

Generated

Short expert summary (for , following ’s cleanup and the registry attempt that didn’t fix it)

Symptoms — double‑clicking folder shortcuts and media files produces an hourglass then nothing — strongly points to a broken shell/file‑type association or a shell/context‑menu handler intercepting the double‑click (the shell uses the Shell\Default verb for a class when no verb is specified). (learn.microsoft.com)

Fast, safe checklist (backup the registry or create a restore point first)

  • Check and, if needed, reset the .lnk association from an elevated Command Prompt:

    assoc .lnk=lnkfile
ftype lnkfile

    If ftype lnkfile shows nothing, restore it (example default) and then reboot:

    ftype lnkfile="%1" %*

    (assoc/ftype are the built‑in commands that map extensions to ProgIDs and open commands). (learn.microsoft.com)

  • Verify registry keys (export the key before editing): HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.lnk should have default = lnkfile; check HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\Shell\Open\Command and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Shell and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\Shell (the latter two should normally have no unexpected default verb). If Directory\Shell or Folder\Shell has a non‑blank default, double‑click behavior can invoke the wrong verb. Back up before any changes. (learn.microsoft.com)

When the above doesn’t help

  • Disable third‑party shell extensions (they often block or hijack Explorer actions). Use NirSoft’s ShellExView to hide Microsoft extensions and temporarily disable non‑Microsoft items, then test double‑click behavior. Re‑enable in groups to find the culprit. (shellfix.nirsoft.net)

  • Repair system files: run sfc /scannow from an elevated prompt (XP may need the install CD); this restores damaged shell components that affect ShellExecute. If the problem is per‑user only, test with a new local user account to isolate profile corruption. (support.microsoft.com)

Why this goes beyond the DougKnox registry fix tried earlier: a registry .lnk restore fixes many cases, but a non‑blank Directory/Folder default verb or a third‑party shell handler will still intercept double‑clicks — the above sequence isolates and addresses both possibilities.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for Grinler

I want you to fix some of those entries. Please do the following:

Please make sure that you can view all hidden files. Instructions on how to do this can be found here:

Run Hijackthis again, click scan, and Put a checkmark next to each of these. Then click the Fix button

R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O16 - DPF: {15AD4789-CDB4-47E1-A9DA-992EE8E6BAD6} -


Reboot your computer and post a new log.

Member Avatar for slightshadow

Done. I already was showing hidden files. Problem still persists. Thanks for helping, SS

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 9:20:55 PM, on 9/18/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Unable to get Internet Explorer version!

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\temp\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\Spybot\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Ipswitch.WsftpBrowserHelper - {601ED020-FB6C-11D3-87D8-0050DA59922B} - C:\Program Files\Ipswitch\WS_FTP Pro\wsbho2k0.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\NSW\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\NSW\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\MSDXM.OCX
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmcService] C:\PROGRA~1\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe -startgui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE
O16 - DPF: {11260943-421B-11D0-8EAC-0000C07D88CF} (iPIX ActiveX Control) - http://www.ipix.com/viewers/ipixx.cab
O16 - DPF: {4C226336-4032-489F-9674-67E74225979B} (OTXMovie Class) -

Member Avatar for Grinler

Well the log is now clean... Try this:

Download the following file:

Extract it somewhere and double-click on the registry file contained within it. Then try a shortcut and tell me if it works.

Member Avatar for slightshadow

Still no good. I don't know what has happened here, but I fear I am going to have to re-install WinXP, and I don't even know if that will do it.

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