Windows 7: Cannot run any exe file, side-by-side configuration incorrect

I have problem running any executable file, including opening zip files.

I have uninstall Norton Internet Security came with the Lenovo laptop, and install Avast free antivirus, everything fine after installation. But today when I start the laptop, all executable files cannot start, such as IE, Adobe, MS office, anything with .exe, and .zip. Error message is:

"The application has failed to start because its side-by-side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log or use the command-line sxstrace.exe tool for more details."

I google a bit, one suggestion is to re-install the Visual C++ re-distribution, but the exe file cannot run, therefore re-installing is impossible.



There is another suggestion to reset the default file association for exe, tried that but no difference.

Couldn't find any other instance the same, look like my problem is more serious than other. Anyone has a suggestion?

Thanks.
Ken

Hello Kennlee, welcome to the forums.

While we wait for a guru to drop by, here's my $0.02. You're right, it looks bad. Are you able to run any Windows application that's already in there? Notepad, paint, calculator, solitaire, things like that?

Good point. I tried several exe apps and none of them works, and assumes that it is all exe. Now testing on windows apps they works - calc, notepad, paint... Also I have a photo editing apps "GIMPs" which is Linux based apps complied into window, and this one works as well. Look like there is some dependencies missing. Thanks.

Here is something you can try. Won't hurt but might help.
From cmd/prompt/admin. sfc /scannow 3 time boot after each one.

Thanks for the suggestion. I ran sfc /scannow for 3 times, reboot one after the other as recommended, but problem persist. The scan result showing file corruption, but cannot fix some of them.

That is not good. Can you go back to a restore point before all this happened?
What method did you use to remove Norton's? If it's not removed completely and you install another anti virus things will go crazy. This is Norton's way.
https://www-secure.symantec.com/nort...edirect_pubweb

I have already tried the restore point, but it did not resolve. I used the Window Programs and Features to uninstall Norton. I chose complete uninstall as I am not going to re-install this product anyway. After uninstall, I reboot the laptop, and then I am able to install Avast, which is an exe file, so the problem may not be mainly related to Norton, but can not rule out.

I did not re-boot after installing Avast, so I am not sure whether it happens right after, or something else stimulate this. I noticed when I tried the restore point, I saw a Chorme update after the Avast, so Not sure that will have any impact or chemical reaction with others.

From all I google, most of them point to the Visual C++ redistribute, but I am not able to find a MSI installer, because exe will not run now, but MSI does.

Also the scannow show file corruption but unable to fix, but the log file does not show which file(s) is corrupted, wondering I can simple copy and paste the corrupted file from other system if it is known?

Thanks.

Have you tried the method Symantec recommends in my post #6?

Yes, but they are exe files, which do not run on the laptop now. Can't find msi version which may be ok. Thanks.

Hi Layback Bear, I search through the CBS.log and found out that two files were not fixed in the scannow process, the log said that the backup is corrupted as well. The two files are

c:\Windows\System32\iedkcs32.dll
c:\Windows\System32\en-US\osk.exe.mui

I tried to copy the same file from other computer, but I do not have authority even I am the administrator, do you know how I can over write these two files? or do you know where the backup dll files sits so that I can over write the backup file and re-run the scannow process? This may help the situation although not promising. Thanks.