problem-at least its original

[safeguardthevision]

There's something wrong with my computer-(don't u love that feeling of abrupt realisation that things have gone wrong in a big way?)!

I was about to give up and format but then there's no harm asking.

For no reason when I open any file ending .exe its gets treated like a document for an unknown program or I simply get error box 'application not found'. When it treats the .exe like a document I get the 'open with' box e.g.

'Choose the program you want to use to open this file:

File: fraps.exe

Then a list of the programs installed on the pc. '

When I select a program and press ok, that program will open but obviously word, for instance can't run fraps. You can do unusual things like using RealOne player to open realplay.exe.

I've never heard of this. It might be a virus but I can't open Norton because that's not on the program list (?!). Ideas welcome before I salvage my files and format the hard disk.

[ADRAMELK]

Definitely sounds like a virus to me.

If you cant run your antivirus on your PC try running the one online, if you can browse.

[gokusimpson]

use all your resources. Adaware, spybot search and destroy, and a virus scanner and stuff.

hmm...fraps is a program that shows you the frames per second of a game you are playing.... :confused:

[safeguardthevision]

Fraps was just the thing my mouse (do you call the arrow u see, a mouse or a cursor?) was hovering next to when I wanted to do an example. I was using it to try and balance out the ancient processor-specs not mentioned-and the 5700 ultra to get the optimal frame rate and resolution etc by using fraps. I don't suppose there's an easier way of getting the best balance? Do games like far cry and hl2 that detect and give u recommended settings think about that kind of thing?

So here's what I've done. I tried the system restore thing on xp and took it back a day, just after I'd done the post and nothing changed. Then today, having pretended the pc didn't exist for a while and done healthy things with my time instead I put it back to the 20th on system restore on a wave of desperation. Lo and behold everything was back to normal again-except-oddly, Norton. But everyone knows that Norton is useless and they make the virusses themselves.

I'd love to know what the problem was but I'm also happy to call it case closed! Thank you.