Windows 7 Ultimate x64 won't open any 32 bit programs

Hi all, posting a book here:

My Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit does not seem to open any 32 bit programs. When I try to open a 32 bit program, it shows up in the task manager for a few seconds (e.g. "firefox.exe x32"), then disappears after a few seconds. I can open Internet Explorer 64 bit fine, run it with no programs, but the 32 bit version doesn't work.

I also can't access many of the Windows control panel settings, such as "Uninstall Programs." I can open the Control Panel folder, but when I double click on the items inside: nothing.

Background: My wife decided it was a good idea to download and run a program she received in an email from a stranger and let it bypass our Avast antivirus [IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif[/IMG], which was when this all started. I was able to boot into safe mode and run MalwareBytes, Spybot SD, SuperAntiSpyware, Trend Micro Housecall, and Microsoft Security Essentials; also CCleaner, and a few other similar utilities (finding and deleting many items.) I feel fairly confident (not 100%) that there are no viruses/malware left, but either they screwed something up, or my efforts to subsequently clean the computer up did.

Now I booted into safe mode once or twice, and was able to run 32 bit programs! But now I can't do that anymore: Both regular and safe-mode boots result in the same problem.

Programs that I can run: IE x64, MSE, Super AntiSpyware, Zune software, Notepad...

Programs I can't: All 32 bit programs: Firefox, Microsoft Word/Excel 2007, Malwarebytes, program installation .exes, etc.

I think I'm down to re-formatting the PC, which I'm OK with, but I'd really like to see if anyone can help me avoid that.

Sfc scan, run 3-4 times.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Bill2, I forgot to mention I have run sfc /scannow several times - no help yet. Could running it additional times help? Would running it in safe mode make a difference?

I suspect somehow the programfiles86 or the associated reg entries got messed up. Do a test, uninstall any 32 bit app, then reinstall and see if it runs.

sandrider117 said:

Hi all, posting a book here:

My Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit does not seem to open any 32 bit programs. When I try to open a 32 bit program, it shows up in the task manager for a few seconds (e.g. "firefox.exe x32"), then disappears after a few seconds. I can open Internet Explorer 64 bit fine, run it with no programs, but the 32 bit version doesn't work.

I also can't access many of the Windows control panel settings, such as "Uninstall Programs." I can open the Control Panel folder, but when I double click on the items inside: nothing.

Background: My wife decided it was a good idea to download and run a program she received in an email from a stranger and let it bypass our Avast antivirus [IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.gif[/IMG], which was when this all started. I was able to boot into safe mode and run MalwareBytes, Spybot SD, SuperAntiSpyware, Trend Micro Housecall, and Microsoft Security Essentials; also CCleaner, and a few other similar utilities (finding and deleting many items.) I feel fairly confident (not 100%) that there are no viruses/malware left, but either they screwed something up, or my efforts to subsequently clean the computer up did.

Now I booted into safe mode once or twice, and was able to run 32 bit programs! But now I can't do that anymore: Both regular and safe-mode boots result in the same problem.

Programs that I can run: IE x64, MSE, Super AntiSpyware, Zune software, Notepad...

Programs I can't: All 32 bit programs: Firefox, Microsoft Word/Excel 2007, Malwarebytes, program installation .exes, etc.

I think I'm down to re-formatting the PC, which I'm OK with, but I'd really like to see if anyone can help me avoid that.

Did you try a system restore
System Restore

Thank you Bill2! I tried sfc /scannow a few more times, then ran chkdsk c: /F /R, and after all that I'm back to normal!

Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit machine.

I have tried to run SFC /SCANNOW from safe mode command prompt and get "Resource Protection could not start the repair service"

OK then I boot from the DVD and get to Command Prompt and get the message
"There is a system repair pending, restart"

WTH!
How would I end this "system repair pending" so I can run SFC?


Thanks

OK, I found another post that fixed my 32bit app problem. had to re-do the boot sector "bootsect /nt60 c: /mbr"

Now I able to run my tools but still the local area connection is not showing up in "network Connections"