Cant open regiedt, msconfig, etc

A Windows XP Computer i used was not allowing me to open msconfig, regedit and other things like this. neither was it giving any warning that i am not authorized or check with administrator, etc, etc.

The PC has never been a part of a domain and is simply in a workgroup. There aren't any other ristriction set from group policy, etc.

Despite that, i cant open regedit, msconfig, etc.

Note also that the user account is member of Administrator's group.

There isn't any virus in the System at all. I checked it all . The 'display properties' dont even show any tabs except for 'settings' tab.


What could be the problem?
.. anyone?


Thanks

re: Cant open regiedt, msconfig, etc

Sure sounds like a Virus. What are you using for anti-virus software? Are your virus definitions up to date?

re: Cant open regiedt, msconfig, etc

As Don Rayner has already said, it sounds like a virus.
You could try running an online scan to make sure there is no malware infection, (links to online scanners below)
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan.htm
http://www.kaspersky.com/service?chapter=161739400
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

re: Cant open regiedt, msconfig, etc

Thanks for your response

re: Cant open regiedt, msconfig, etc

if you bring up task manager will it allow you to go to ' file ' , 'run' then open a command prompt?

also what happens in safe mode?

re: Cant open regiedt, msconfig, etc

No i cant open Task Manager.

it surely is Virus then that is preventing these application from opening

re: Cant open regiedt, msconfig, etc

What Anti-Virus software are you using?
Try downloading AVG, Avast or Avira.(link below) All free and very reliable and run a scan and see what shows up.

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