problem opening files

[craigie]

hi guys/girls


im having problem opening files on my pc, i downloaded something and i think it may have done something to my pc


i cannot open the likes of msn messenenger or any other programme in the "all programmes" list

all the programmes just show a white box


it says "windows cannot open this file"
to open this file windows needs to know what programme created it windows can go online to look it up automatically or you can manually select it from a list of programmes on your computer.


someone mentioned to me it may be a missing dll file, i noticed i can download missing dll files from the main page but if i need to can anyone tell me what one i need?


its frustrating to say the least

thanks in advance


Craig

[davey6]

what windows are you running ?

if your running windows xp use the built in system restore and go back to a date before you downloaded the software that you think messed your computer up.

if all programs is missing , click start , search, type , system restore.
the top main shortcut / icon found in the search list will be the system restore option, double click it to start off the restore.

[craigie]

cheers buddy


ive tried again but its not even letting me open the system restore option

is it possible to access this from a restart?


thanks again

Craig

[davey6]

try to access system restore from safe mode.

to get in to safe mode on xp please follow this.

just after your bios has post start pushing the F8 key.
just before xp boots you will get a submenu , choose safe mode and start the pc that way then see if you can access system restore

[craigie]

hi there


i managed to access system restore by loading up in safe mode and i selected a date from over a month ago.

i loaded back up but still the same

it wont open up any programme in my programmes list and the programmes that are effected show a white "box" with another "little box" in the middle with 3 types of "dots" a red blue and green one


ive been trying allsorts but i dont know what i need to do

[davey6]

to be honest i think the best way to clear all your problems would be a clean install of windows.

that would clear all faults and replace all missing files.

trying to pin down what files are missing from this point on would take for ever

[craigie]

cheers buddy, ive just bought an external hard drive so i can transfer everything over so i'm going to re-boot and sort it out


thanks again mate


Craig