running my computer brings up "open with" menu

[Midiean]

I have a user that has done god knows what to his system. When you attempt to launch an explorer shell from My computer, My Documents, or My Network Places, it brings up the open with menu as if it is something that can be launced by something other than explorer. If you try and run explorer.exe itself, they system wants to know what user to use and then flashes the screen and restarts explorer.exe.

any ideas?

 

[linney]

Can you run System Restore, perhaps from Safe Mode? Do you have the problem in Safe Mode anyway?

Double clicking a folder on desktop brings up search, does not open
thread779-811931

811151 - How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Select both boxes.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp