"The system cannot find the file specified"

[RedBeard]

Hi! Ever since a botched encryption which resulted in me having to format a drive (not the main c drive), everything I download gives this message when I try to open it -

"ShellExecuteEx failed; code 2.
The system cannot find the file specified."

I've tried changing the download location to various places, same thing, tried using iexporer, firefox (my default), chrome, same thing. -when I r-click, "run as administrator" it gives the following message (for instance w/wordpad):

"Windows cannot find 'E:/Downloads/wordpad.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again."

A little condescending it seems to me, considering I didn't type anything, and simply tried to run the .exe from its download location. I've also gone into user accounts (I am the only account) and made sure I'm the administrator.

Any ideas? Thanks. -sorry if this is not the right forum, I looked around and installation seemed like the best option.

 

[gregrocker]

Since you report botched encryption on your HD and only formatted it before reinstall, I would first test HD with WD Data Lifeguard extended diagnostics/Repair CD scan: HD Diagnostic

Then from the Lifeguard CD tools, wipe the HD with zeroes.

Reset the CMOS: Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Clean reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7