Firstly let me state I'm an absolute goose.
On Wednesday when I booted my machine up I got a ton of messages from Ad Aware about my registry / updates of some sort. I blocked them all. Around 30 messages all told. This had never happened before.
Immediately after, all my desktop icons were reverted to lnk files (except Explorer, which still works fine.), and none of them are recognised / can be opened in any way. I repeatedly get the message "There is no program associated with this file to perform this action. Create an association in the Folder Options control panel". I can't play music files, watch video or even open Word!
Upon investigation online I have found that many naive people (and some well-versed!) have suffered the same fate.
I've tried running the Doug Knox repairs. I can download the files but when I try to run them I get the above message.
I've tried booting the computer with last good Configuration. No dice.
I've tried doing a system restore but get the above message.
I'm 99% sure that I've disabled / deleted system files along the way by not allowing the Ad Aware registry updates.....
I've got a hunch that a re-install of Windows will be needed, and I just had the computer re-built. Waaaaaaaa!
I've scoured the web for days trying all suggested fixes, and have found none that work. Generally downloading programs is fine, but when it comes to running them........
I'm now turning to the good people at PC Help Forum for some advice!
Any help greatly appreciated!

Probably a fake "malware" alert-- I've owned Ad-Aware for years... never had such an "alert"

Do you have the Windows install discs for yor PC ??

Windows was installed by the fella who rebuilt my machine. It was choked with spyware and pop-ups prior to then. When I run the Ad-Aware scan (can still open it) it always stalls on a windows system 32 file, so I'm assuming this is where the problem is (possibly incorrectly!)
L

Okayyyy--
If you are still having this type of issue the thing I would suggest is running our
Prework (link below)
and posting all resulting logs on the [New] HJT logs forum-- so a security analyst may look at your system-- from the sounds of this it may be saveable--- it may not... but it is worth a try.

When you get to HJT forum follow all their instructions very carefully-- you may save this yet...! Malware/Spyware can do some very strange things to a PC.