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Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file.


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#1
soc7

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Hi there,

first time on here and i hope that you can help.
I have Windows XP with SP3.

I was running my usual clean up programs - ADsGone, Avast and Spybot.
I also ran in error a Canon printer exe update driver file that was used when i went to SP2.
I don't know if this caused my problem.

My problem is, i keep getting the error message:

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

I'm getting this whenever i try any exe file OR anything in the control panel.

I've searched the web for 2 days now any nothing seems to help.

I can't even re-trying to add SP3 as it wont run the exe file. Even Start>run>regedit wont work.

any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thanks.
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#2
NeonFx

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.exe fix

First we will need to create a version of notepad you can run.

Go to Start > Run and type in : CMD
In the command prompt type in (or copy and rightclick/paste):
COPY C:\Windows\notepad.exe C:\Windows\notepad.com

Please copy the entire contents of the codebox below into Notepad:
  • Open Notepad (go to Start>Run and type in notepad.com)
  • Copy the contents of the codebox below using CTRL+C (or selecting all the text in the box, and right clicking on it and selecting Copy)

    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}"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile]
    @="Registration Entries"
    "EditFlags"=dword:00100000
    "BrowserFlags"=dword:00000008
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\DefaultIcon]
    @=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
      00,5c,00,72,00,65,00,67,00,65,00,64,00,69,00,74,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,\
      2c,00,31,00,00,00
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell]
    @="open"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\edit]
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\edit\command]
    @=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
      00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,4e,00,4f,00,\
      54,00,45,00,50,00,41,00,44,00,2e,00,45,00,58,00,45,00,20,00,25,00,31,00,00,\
      00
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\open]
    @="Mer&ge"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\open\command]
    @="regedit.exe \"%1\""
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\print]
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\regfile\shell\print\command]
    @=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
      00,5c,00,73,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,4e,00,4f,00,\
      54,00,45,00,50,00,41,00,44,00,2e,00,45,00,58,00,45,00,20,00,2f,00,70,00,20,\
      00,25,00,31,00,00,00
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk]
    @="lnkfile"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx]
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{000214EE-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
    @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{000214F9-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
    @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{00021500-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
    @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellEx\{BB2E617C-0920-11d1-9A0B-00C04FC2D6C1}]
    @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellNew]
    "Command"="rundll32.exe appwiz.cpl,NewLinkHere %1"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile]
    @="Shortcut"
    "EditFlags"=dword:00000001
    "IsShortcut"=""
    "NeverShowExt"=""
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\CLSID]
    @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex]
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Offline Files]
    @="{750fdf0e-2a26-11d1-a3ea-080036587f03}"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\DropHandler]
    @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\IconHandler]
    @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers]
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\ShimLayer Property Page]
    @="{513D916F-2A8E-4F51-AEAB-0CBC76FB1AF8}"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
    @="Shortcut"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer32]
    @="shell32.dll"
    "ThreadingModel"="Apartment"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\PersistentAddinsRegistered]
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\PersistentAddinsRegistered\{89BCB740-6119-101A-BCB7-00DD010655AF}]
    @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\PersistentHandler]
    @="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\ProgID]
    @="lnkfile"
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\shellex]
    
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\shellex\MayChangeDefaultMenu]

  • Now return to Notepad and use CTRL + V (or rightclick on the whitespace and Paste) to paste the script
  • Verify that you have pasted the complete script
  • Save the Notepad file to your Desktop as FixReg.reg using Save as Type: All files
  • Locate FixReg.reg on your desktop
  • Double click to run, and when prompted Allow the file to merge with your registry
  • OK your way out.

After that, Reboot your machine


If this works, and you can now run .exe programs, Please follow the Malware Removal guide HERE. Post the logs you receive from the steps in that guide to create a new topic in the Malware Removal forum HERE
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#3
soc7

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Man that was fast. Thank you so much.

But when I type in CMD I get the error message.
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#4
NeonFx

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Haha my bad. Type in command.com
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#5
soc7

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Please also note that i am logged on to my laptop in order to log on here as the PC in question won't allow me into IE.

However i just tried Google Chrome and it is working. Go figure.
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#6
soc7

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When i type in comi get a folder that pops up with no prompt.
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#7
NeonFx

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Did you get it fixed? Using command.com to create notepad.com and the registry fix?

Make sure and mention this thread in your new topic at the malware removal forum by posting a shortcut to it: ( you can right click, copy link location: http://www.geekstogo...le-t245278.html ) and paste.

Don't forget to mention all the problems you are having, including those with IE. If you cannot download the files needed in the removal guide on to that other computer, transfer them over using a USB Flash Drive.
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#8
NeonFx

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it wasn't supposed to be com, but command.com
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#9
soc7

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with command.com in the start> run i then get the error message as in post 1
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#10
NeonFx

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then your problem really is serious.

Right click HERE and select "Save As..." . Save it to your desktop.


Then run it by right clicking it, and selecting "Merge"
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#11
soc7

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I managed to get notepad opened by going in through an existing txt file. I created the FixReg.reg file but i can't seem to run it. I even tried task manager with the same error message.
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#12
soc7

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then your problem really is serious.

Right click HERE and select "Save As..." . Save it to your desktop.


Then run it by right clicking it, and selecting "Merge"


When i right click the file i don't have 'merge' as an option.
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#13
NeonFx

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The only other thing I can recommend is trying to do so in Safe-Mode. Though i doubt this will work.

This problem is most likely related to malware. For malware related problems, you will need to talk to the removal experts. I cannot help you further with this problem.

Please create a new thread HERE outlining your problem. You will receive a response there soon.
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#14
soc7

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thanks NeonFx
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#15
NeonFx

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Hi again. I was thinking about your problem earlier.

Could you click on your Start button, right click on My Computer and go to properties?

Under the Advanced tab at the top, click on the "Environment Variables" button.

Under System Variables, do you see PATHTEXT listed, with
".COM;.EXE;.BAT;.CMD;.VBS;.VBE;.JS;.JSE;.WSF;.WSH" as its data?

If you don't, try creating it using the above text as the data, without the quotes.

Also, should the person helping you in the malware removal forum not know what to do, how about you try Restoring your computer to an earlier date? This will hopefully reset your registry to a date before the registry was messed with to cause these problems.

Edited by NeonFx, 13 July 2009 - 06:38 PM.

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