win 2000 program links are non functioning

[msladybug02]

I used my computer fine this morning, but when I booted it up tonight, all of my desktop links were a windows icon. I clicked on them and the files were missing! I mean everything but the my conuter ico, recycle bin etc.
I restarted in safe mode and deleted some programs thinking it was s space issue, but still ALL of my links even the ones in my programs files are missing the exe. to run them. They all open a prompt to "select a program to open the file". I can't open my mail, surf the web without antivirus protection...what happened??:eek:
I'm able to right click and run a scan with Norton, but as far as the program opening when I double click...it prompts top selct a program to open the file.
Any help would be great. :wave:

[Murf]

You probably have been infected with SPYware. The first thing to do is go HERE (http://www.cybertechhelp.com/html/downloads/download.php/id/36), download and run SPYBOT, let it fix what it finds.

Now go HERE (http://www.cybertechhelp.com/html/downloads/download.php/id/41) and download and run CWShredder.

Reboot after running each of these. If that doesn't fix it, then you will need to do a repair. which is explained in detail HERE (http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/netsysm/article.php/623601)

[msladybug02]

Thank you very much for the quick reply! What's funny is I had Ad Aware SE running on two systems and it kept finding tons of syware on my win 2000 system and barely any on my spouse's XP computer. I had zonealarm, symantec in conjunction with my ad-aware and I'd be seriously sad that all those programs and being vigilent and scanning every week has proved fruitless.:(
I will follow your instructions and hope for the best.

Thank you so much!:wave:

[Murf]

It happens I run ADWARE, SPYBOT once a week and it always finds crap. I have a Firewall and Anti-virus with XP also. Visiting certain web pages can cause this without your knowledge.

Corrupted icons like yours overnight has to be either spyware or a virus. Which could of caused the problem.