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    I can't access anything on my laptop

    Discussion in 'Security and Anti-Virus Software' started by unknowntt, Oct 1, 2011.

  1. unknowntt

    unknowntt Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm running Windows 7 ultimate 64 bit. I turned User Account Control to the second lowest setting (doesn't turn the screen dark), installed Cain and Abel for windows, Zone Alarm, and some other packet software that was apparently required for Cain and Abel. My computer was running fine after each of these installed, but then Zone Alarm told me I had to restart to complete the setup. So I closed all my programs, pressed the "restart" button that was open in Zone Alarm (ie, I did not use the start menu to restart). Now everytime I try to run any EXE file, I get the following message:

    Windows cannot access the specified device path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.

    THis message comes up when I try to do ANYTHING. I can only open properties of files, and I cannot access anything in the properties. I cannot do system restore. I cannot access most things in the control panel. I cannot uninstall anything.

    I looked this up and I got people saying all kinds of stuff...people running a server, environment variables, some weird stuff that I have no idea about. I don't think this is a security or permissions issue.

    I get the feeling that the only way to fix this is to re install Win7. I can't run any programs.

    Any solutions?

    THank you so much in advance.

    EDIT: Safe mode doesn't change a thing.
     
    unknowntt, Oct 1, 2011
    #1
  2. Deks

    Deks Notebook Prophet

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    Zone Alarm?
    Why would you use THAT?
    Seriously, it has a tendency to create much more problems for a computer.
    May I recommend you remove it and try working like that?

    Regular Windows firewall is enough.

    Also, why would you need various other software packets for Cain & Abel?
     
    Deks, Oct 2, 2011
    #2
  3. Steven

    Steven God Amongst Mere Mortals

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    If you think you're computer is infected (I assume that's why you posted in the Security sub section) than I recommend you throw Malwarebyte's and Hitman Pro and Dr. Web Cure it on to the flash drive and attempt to run any of those three off the flash drive in order to terminate the virus and get rid of it.

    A 2GB-4GB flash drive works.
    You can find links to these software's in a sticky in this sub section.
     
    Steven, Oct 2, 2011
    #3