IE6 Association Problem

In getting rid of a nasty virus, I seem to have created a problem with
IE6 opening desktop shortcuts (Win 2000 Pro). I suspect it was a changed
registry entry that created the problem.

The problem is that URL desktop shortcuts do not launch and open IE, but
instead bring up a "Program not found" windoid that says "Windows cannot
find Program.exe" and a "C:\" is in the locate window. Atempting to
locate IE (or rundll) does not fix the problem.

Other IE associations like jpgs also will not open IE6 either, with the
same indications.

Restoring from Folder Options... does not fix the problem.
Uninstalling and then reinstalling IE does not fix the problem, eith
from windows com[ponents or from IE6setup installer.
Set Program Access and Defaults does not fix the problem

I cannot locate a "Program.exe" (which sounds like a dummy name to me)
in the registry, even with RegCrawler search program.

If I change the default browser to Mozilla Firefox, that proggie will
work just fine, it opens clicked URL shortcuts just as it should.
Restoring IE6 as the default browser recreates the problem.

Now here's something interesting: If I first open an IE6 window, even
minimized, and then click a URL shortcut, the URL will then open in a
new IE6 window, just as it is supposed to. Its only when opening IE6 by
clicking the URL shortcut that exhibits the problem.

I do believe it is a reg entry that I modified while hunting the virus.
Any idea how to fix? TIA

This is a 6 year old response, so take your chances.
(urls not checked for some years)

There is no such application as program.exe and it may be a faulty
association.
"Windows Cannot Find Program.exe" Error Accessing Web Page [Q189583]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=189583

Cannot Find Program.exe Needed for Opening Files [Q191219]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=191219

Err Msg: Windows Cannot Find Program.exe, Which Is Needed [Q188592]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=188592

Err Msg Opening Recycle Bin: Windows Can Not Find Program.exe
[Q309538]
http://support.microsoft.com?scid=kb;EN-US;Q309538

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.com/index.htm


On Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:45:37 -0500, in
microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.setup, DrArm
<GenuineDrArm RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote:

>In getting rid of a nasty virus, I seem to have created a problem with
>IE6 opening desktop shortcuts (Win 2000 Pro). I suspect it was a changed
>registry entry that created the problem.
>
>The problem is that URL desktop shortcuts do not launch and open IE, but
>instead bring up a "Program not found" windoid that says "Windows cannot
>find Program.exe" and a "C:" is in the locate window. Atempting to
>locate IE (or rundll) does not fix the problem.
>
>Other IE associations like jpgs also will not open IE6 either, with the
>same indications.
>
>Restoring from Folder Options... does not fix the problem.
>Uninstalling and then reinstalling IE does not fix the problem, eith
>from windows com[ponents or from IE6setup installer.
>Set Program Access and Defaults does not fix the problem
>
>I cannot locate a "Program.exe" (which sounds like a dummy name to me)
>in the registry, even with RegCrawler search program.
>
>If I change the default browser to Mozilla Firefox, that proggie will
>work just fine, it opens clicked URL shortcuts just as it should.
>Restoring IE6 as the default browser recreates the problem.
>
>Now here's something interesting: If I first open an IE6 window, even
>minimized, and then click a URL shortcut, the URL will then open in a
>new IE6 window, just as it is supposed to. Its only when opening IE6 by
>clicking the URL shortcut that exhibits the problem.
>
>I do believe it is a reg entry that I modified while hunting the virus.
>Any idea how to fix? TIA