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First of all I have yet to notice any disasters caused by installing NIS 2009. Are you using any other security software? Please try uninstalling NIS 2009 using the Norton Removal Tool. Also I am never big on over the top installs. Its always best to uninstall your old version and start off fresh with NIS 2009 or any other software.
Deb, this sounds like a harddrive crash, virus attack, or the result of a premature shutdown.
Have you searched for the files that those shortcuts are supposed to lead to? If you can't find them, then you have lost entire folders or the indexing structure for the harddisk has been corrupted in some way (unless a virus destroyed them).
My first suggestion (if you are confident that this is not viral behavior) would be to run a diskcheck:
Open run, type chkdsk c: /f. You will be told you need to reboot. Shut down, completely, then reboot. Watch the screen and see if there are a lot of repairs. If so, then after arriving back at your desktop, repeat the procedure.
The exe files are still in the programs directory, they are the right size and have the original create date, but they cannot execute (same windows message, "windows cannot open this file, need to know what program created it.") I suspect the registry is corrupted.
As to virus, this happened directly from the Norton LiveUpdate, while performing the upgrade to NAV2009. Since when did Norton start doing this?
Lastly, does anyone have experience with the customer support, I'm still waiting for a reply.
Frank
Frank, even though this happened when you installed NIS 2009, it sounds like a virus issue. Is it possible that you caught a virus between uninstalling one product and installing the other? I've seen this kind of behavior numerous times, but always it was due to malware. If the exe file exists, but no longer is launchable, then something has probably infected basic function of the system. Does any exe file launch? Something must work or you would never have gotten to the desktop. Anything in common about the files that are unworkable?
I am sorry about the delay in response from Norton support; I can't speak to that.
If you can get a copy of Norton Recovery Tool on another computer and extract the image to a CD, the CD wil run a virus scan at power on. You will need the activation key of a valid Norton NIS or AV in order to use it.
Hi,
It sounds like it is the file associations that have been messed up. Do you use XP? On the page I link to below you have registry fixes for associations that might help.
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm
jAW
Hi debfrank,
To recover my first move would be to use system restore and pick a restore point just before you installed NIS2009. You didn't say what OS your using, so the best can do is guess a little. If that returns you to an acceptable condition, I would then use the "Norton Removal Tool" to remove your old program. Install NIS2009. Heads-up, it took me two or three installs before thing settled down. I upgraded from a long used copy of NIS2008 on my first attempt. What I remember most is that the install went fine ( It remove NIS2008, rebooted the PC, installed NIS2009 ). The shutdown is where I got in a hurry. It took so long, I thought the computer was hung. There must be a very large amount of file and registry change taking place. Anyway, I pushed the reset button, it restarted, came back up to the desktop. Things just didn't seem to right. Hense one or two more installs. Having read through the posts here, I feel like your problem might be similar.
Remove using Norton Removal Tool
Install NIS2009
My system is Vista Ultimate x86. At this point I am very happy with NIS2009 - lighter n quicker. There are some network issues, but that is another topic. Symantec is aware and working on them I think. ( I had to rework my network setup to get some of the "Auto background activities working".
Good luck JW
Yes, something crashed. Could be the result of malware, power loss, or HDD failure, as previously mentioned. That is why there are so many missing and invalid links; also known as .lnk files. Also, the disablity to exeucute programs may be caused by corruption in your hard drive. Norton offers free telephone support, I do not know the number, but if someone could provide him with one I will greatly appericiate it. We will try our best to assist you. As of now, we are working on the culprit of the corruption of your system. And naming McAfee won’t scare us. Just look at av-test.org. Norton 09 blows away mcafee, and in that case the rest of the competition. As for the other disasters, we are assisting them. However, only 1 other person had a similar case like yours; his hard drive crashed and died, and that was on a 7 yr. old computer, and it happened several years ago, according to him.
I have the exact same problem. I talked to Norton on the phone, they had me call Microsoft. After spending $59 (or $69), with MS’s help, we reinstalled windows, but I don’t know if that fixed the problem or not, because now my wireless keyboard won’t work. It works fine in safe mode, but when you get to the windows signon screen, it won’t work. The only thing that would work before my keyboard crashed is the internet. Every other program, icon, etc. had a .lnk attached to it.
hougal wrote:
I have the exact same problem. I talked to Norton on the phone, they had me call Microsoft. After spending $59 (or $69), with MS's help, we reinstalled windows, but I don't know if that fixed the problem or not, because now my wireless keyboard won't work. It works fine in safe mode, but when you get to the windows signon screen, it won't work. The only thing that would work before my keyboard crashed is the internet. Every other program, icon, etc. had a .lnk attached to it.
As for your wireless keyboard, it is probably missing a driver or the driver is experiencing conflicts, thus only working in safe mode, where a minimal amount of services and drivers and processes are loaded. Make sure that under Device Manager your wireless keyboard is not reporting any conflicts.
As for your situation, it sounds like a hard drive failure. Your hard drive may have physically failed.
Tech0utsider wrote:
hougal wrote:
I have the exact same problem. I talked to Norton on the phone, they had me call Microsoft. After spending $59 (or $69), with MS's help, we reinstalled windows, but I don't know if that fixed the problem or not, because now my wireless keyboard won't work. It works fine in safe mode, but when you get to the windows signon screen, it won't work. The only thing that would work before my keyboard crashed is the internet. Every other program, icon, etc. had a .lnk attached to it.[ ... [
As for your situation, it sounds like a hard drive failure. Your hard drive may have physically failed.
I don't see anything in hougal's message that points to a hard drive failure -- that would surely be unlikely to be cured by reinstalling Windows, even if Microsoft did it for you !!!
Thanks for posting this. I have a client with this same issue (Windows XP Home SP3). It's possible that they had something malicious on their system before Norton 2009 was installed, however they are relatively savy and I think they would have recognized anything obvious.
I think this is an install of Norton 2009 gone bad. Possibly complicated by the fact that the user left the system on and alone for 3 days and nights while it was waiting for a reboot post install of Norton 2009. Perhaps another update (Windows?!) or some other Windows process that tried to do something (creating a restore point?!) caused this result. No idea yet, just a hunch.
Here is what I got from them:
1. Friday they accepted the "upgrade to Norton IS 2009"
2. NIS 2008 was uninstalled by the installer and a reboot was requested
3. NIS 2009 installed, however the user left the office and the system was sitting there requesting a reboot over the long weekend
4. Upon reboot of the system, the user list appears, they can login and then Windows is a real mess
I have their system now, never seen Windows look/behave this way (been consulting for 20 years) and I've seen some crazy virus/malicious software infections.
Here is what I've found:
- Everything in the startup group pops up a "windows cannot open this file" message.
- I'm unable to run any apps in the Start Menu nor "run" compmgmt.msc (be nice to check the event log), cmd (figured this one out by browsing to it at c:\windows\system32\cmd) but can't do much with that.
- Booted into Safe Mode and ran recovery and NO recovery points exist. I'm fairly certain that restore points are turned on.
- Even in Safe Mode I can't do much, run into the same problem that "windows cannot open this file"
- I can browse drive C: fine, and all data looks intact..
- Booting of Windows XP CD to run recovery console results in me being unable to attach to the partition with the Windows installation because the Administrator password is not accepted. I had to use offline NT Pass to blank the password.
- Got into the recovery console and am running a CHKDSK /R right now, but don't think that is going to do it as I was able to run a scandisk from within windows and I don't think it is a problem with the drive.
- Going to do a recovery install and see what happens.
I'll post more later...
Aaron
<<Norton offers free telephone support>>
The toll free number for Norton Support is 1-800-745-6061. I hope that this will help.
Hi,
As I said in my last post, it is very likely to be a problem related to the file associations. Even .exe files need to be associated with something or they will not run. Imagine what what would happen if your system suddenly did not know what to do with executable files.
Try the registry fix .exe that is on the link here, http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm
If you do not trust reg files off the net, you can as a quick-fix go to My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > File Types and create a new association for the .exe towards "Application". Although I recommend the reg files.
jAW
I had this same problem yesterday when installing Antivirus 2009 on XP Pro. Norton help chat were no help at all, saying it was not connected to them, contact my ISP, my computer manufacturer etc. Surfing around the net I seem to have cured it: Go to My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > File Types. Check exe is not there then click New, type in exe, click Advanced and select ‘Application’. All programs then run OK. Do the same again and this time type in lnk in the New box, click Advanced and select ‘Shortcut’. All shortcuts then came up with icons and worked! I also noticed that I got an error message when clicking on hyperlinks in Outlook, but that has been solved by doing a reset in IE Internet Options. My only remaining problemette (I think!) is that when I click Favourites each one has .url after the name, but since they work anyway I’m not too concerned.
I REALLY REALLY would like to try all your suggestions, but my keyboard won't work. I even went and got a new keyboard, and it still won't work. And since my windows is password protected, I'm SOL!!!!
Try this - you won't need a keyboard on the desktop.
First, power off, then power on and press the keyboard key to access either safe mode or bios settings. If that works, then you know three important things:
1. Your keyboard really does work; and
2. so does the cable connecting the keyboard to the computer; and
3. so does the socket and electronics for the keyboard inside the computer.
If it doesn't work, then you have a mechanical problem and since you bought a new keyboard, it's probably the socket or the inside electronics. 
In this case, you can try for the best and (assuming you have a USB keyboard) plug the keyboard into another socket. (I have a Thinkpad and one of their issues are unreliable USB sockets - sometimes I have to jiggle the plug or move it to another socket. Not any more, actually, since I've identified the "sensitive" ones.) If that doesn't work .... well, is your machine still under warranty?
If your keyboard does work pre-desktop, then after you arrive at the desktop, use your mouse to do the following:
First Try:
1. Open Add/Remove programs and if you find any special keyboard programs (such as Microsoft or Logitech ergonomic keyboards), remove them. If it's Logitech, it doesn't always remove cleanly, so I wish you luck on this step.
2. If you found and uninstalled something, then reboot.
3. If this didn't solve the problem, move on to
Then Try This:
1. right-click on My Computer
2. select properties
3. click on hardware
4. click on device manager (there are other ways to get here, so you might want to do one of them if you are familiar with it).
5. go to keyboards
6. delete the driver(s)
7. reboot
8. at this point, your system should "find" the keyboard as new equipment and install a default driver.
I have exactly the same problem. I was prompted by Norton to upgrade to NAV2009 and followed the link to the Symantec website. My earlier version was uninstalled and my system was rebooted. After that point, as with debfrank, all my desktop shortcuts were morphed to .lnk extensions and the windows generic icon except Outlook and IE. I also lost a great deal of the Windows functions eg I could not use the restore command or the control panel. I have since attempted to repair Windows with the boot disk and that has given me back the restore command …too late to be of use as I cannot restore back beyond the point that I did the repair. I can access the programs through “my computer” but cannot resolve the desktop shortcuts problem. My attempts to create new desktop shortcuts to replace the morphed ones only result shortcuts with .lnk extensions and the windows generic icon. I have checked with a virus scanner and am not infected…all changes were through the Symantec site. My computer has nver given me a day’s grief until this point and XP was working perfectly. Norton owe us a solution.
The post by jAW nailed the solution, also the post by frances28., which gives the step-by-step solution. Thank you both--or rather Norton should pay you. Interestingly, defining "application" for the extension .exe and "shortcut" for the extension .lnk fixed everything, but those assignments still don't appear in the extension definition table, even after to adding them under new. FYI I am attaching my request for help and Norton's (very late and useless) non-response:
"In performing liveupdate for my Norton Antivirus 2008 I was prompted to upgrade to the 2009 version. The upgrade uninstalled 2008 but froze during the install of 2009. Now almost all of my shortcuts and program files have a .lnk extension and cannot be accessed. This process has crippled my PC. I tried loading the original Antivirus 2008 CD but it will not load. What gives? (I tried using the chat help function but it stalls loading the help software.)"
Norton Technical Support
Discussion Thread
Response (Hemadri Ganesh) - 10/15/2008 04:49 PM
Hi Frank,
Thank you for contacting Norton Support.
I understand from your email that your computer froze while upgrading your Norton program. Also you are unable to contact chat support.
I understand your concerns regarding the issue and I will help you resolve the issue.
For assistance in upgrading your Norton program, please follow the link given below:
Also, to connect to chat support, I suggest that you download and install SymADataWeb.msi which initiates Instant Online Chat.
Before you begin, please make sure that your default web browser is Internet Explorer. If Internet Explorer is not your default web browser, please do the following:
1. Open Control Panel and double-click Internet Options.
2. Click the Programs tab.
3. Click to select the Internet Explorer should check to see whether it is the default browser check box.
4. Click OK.
5. Start Internet Explorer and when you are prompted to make it the default browser, click Yes.
Now, you can download SymADataWeb.msi from the following URL:
http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/asa/ctrl/SymADataWeb.msi
Once the file has been downloaded and installed, you can easily connect to Instant Online Chat using Internet Explorer.
If your issue still remains unresolved after following these steps, please reply to this e-mail with any error messages you may encounter or the details of what happens after performing any of the steps mentioned above. This will help us with fixing this issue.
If you require additional assistance, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you. Have a nice day.
Regards,
G. Hemadri
Norton Support.
I am pleased if my solution has helped some of you but I realise I suffered a lot less than others. Please let us know if your keyboard gets to work Hougal. I had a laptop I could use to communicate with Norton - for what that was worth! I too had never had a day's trouble in several years with my pc and I shall be very wary of downloading Norton again like that.
But there was something else I forgot that I had to do in the hours I spent trying to fix the machine. I had to re-associate all files with the programs that opened them, eg .doc with MS Word, .xls with Excel etc. I did this the same way as I did the .exe and .lnk files via My Computer > Tools > Internet Options etc - I expect you're all familiar with that, but then again there must be lots of people who aren't. All this talk of amending the registry scares me and I was determined not to do that!
Debfrank - I may be wrong but I think the .exe and .lnk extensions never did appear in the list of file extensions anyway - maybe someone can enlighten us. The instructions I found on the internet somewhere said to check that .exe wasn't in the list and it wasn't (and still isn't).
Finally, I do of course have no idea what other 'errors' might still be lurking in my machine after all this, but it does appear to be working satisfactorily at the moment.