Vista - "X is not a valid Win32 application" Error-PLEASE HELP.

When I try to execute ANY ( yes, any ) executable ( *.exe/*.msi etc) file, I
receive the error msg "is not a valid Win32 application". I am now at the
point I can not add or update ANY software whatsoever due to this error
coming up for any executable.
Im running Vista Home Basic, I thought I was a power-user until this one,
and my goal is to either A) Find out the problem and a fix for it. -OR- B) If
someone could explain what a valid Win32 app is- I may be able to figure it
out from there. The online services have been NO help. MS help does not say
why this error happens other than corrupted files ( but eg: if I compile a
functional C++ script to an exe, that too is "not valid" ). So ANY help or
IDEAS on a fix for this, or just what it MEANS would help.
Ironically, I work in tech support, and I know my way around windows on an
intermediate / trained level. This is making my laptop a paperweight, any
ideas appreciated! Thank you so much!

tech spec and does not know how to go around that problem or how to describe
it?
Is that problem since the installation or new?
If new, what did you install or add lately?
Have you tried to remove the additions or restore to earler date?
etc
Jack
"NeologiK" <NeologiK@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:2F90B934-19F5-49FD-BFCC-451EF3FE0801@xxxxxx

Thanks for responding-
Specs are:
Windows Vista (TM) Home Basic Intel(R) Celeron(R) M CPU 520 @ 1.60GHz
0.99 GB 4.4 RAM
Graphics Mobile Intel(R) 945GM/GU Express Chipset Family 3.1
Gaming graphics 224 MB Total available graphics memory 3.0
Primary hard disk 40GB Free (98GB Total)

Manufacturer TOSHIBA
Model Satellite A200
Total amount of system memory 1016.00 MB RAM
System type 32-bit operating system
Number of processor cores 1
64-bit capable Yes

Yes I feel foolish- I spend much of my time helping people with tech
problems (but more in wireless networking & general "how do I?" problems )
*The problem is new/post install. About 2 weeks. I performed a system
restore to before the problem was occuring, however this did not fix it.
*I have not had any new installations (because I can't) but- before the
problem there were not any installations or updates performed within a week.
Here is a WER note on today's iTunes setup attempt:

Fault bucket 10870308, type 5
Event Name: PCA2
Response: None
Cab Id: 0

Problem signature:
P1: iTunesSetup.exe
P2: 0.0.0.0
P3: iTunesSetup.exe
P4: unknown
P5: unknown
P6: 200
P7: -1
P8:
P9:
P10:

And here is the most recent 'event', marked as a search, but it was not any
manual action- Im not sure if this is helpful, but it may be:

[ Name] Microsoft-Windows-Search
[ Guid] {CA4E628D-8567-4896-AB6B-835B221F373F}
[ EventSourceName] Windows Search Service
- EventID 3100
[ Qualifiers] 49152
Version 0
Level 2
Task 3
Opcode 0
Keywords 0x80000000000000
- TimeCreated
[ SystemTime] 2008-03-03T20:19:49.000Z
EventRecordID 21038
Correlation
- Execution
[ ProcessID] 0
[ ThreadID] 0
Channel Application
Computer LAPTOP
Security
- EventData
ExtraInfo Details: This operation returned because the timeout period
expired. (0x800705b4)

***Thank you VERY much for any help!***
~Drew

"Jack" wrote:

Try a Google search for this error message, there is a long list of causes.

The 3 most common are either a corrupt file, a loss of the .exe file
association, or a Virus infection.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"NeologiK" <NeologiK@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:2F90B934-19F5-49FD-BFCC-451EF3FE0801@xxxxxx

"NeologiK" <NeologiK@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:2F90B934-19F5-49FD-BFCC-451EF3FE0801@xxxxxx
Back in my help desk days, I would often see this is a result of a virus
called "pretty park" or something like that. It modified the registry to
change the handler for .EXE files and Windows would throw the same error.

It's a long shot, but check this key in your registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\exefile\shell\open\command

There should be two keys there, (Default) and Isolated Command as shown
below with the Type and Data If you have other stuff in the Data besides
"%1"
%*, then something has gotten into your PC.


Key Name: (Default)
Key Type: REG_SZ
Key Data: "%1" %*

Key Name: IsolatedCommand
Key Type: REG_SZ
Key Data: "%1" %*

In the event of a virus, try this freeware virus tool:

AVG Free Advisor - Free antivirus and anti-spyware downloads

Thanks Joe,
I checked the reg and it was clean and met your specs.
I think its an association loss, as 1) one day the icons for .exes became
the default 'dos oldschool' icon, 2) I've been running Symantec or Kapersky
since install on a new drive, 3) in the 'default programs' vista menu, there
is no listing for .exe default handling, which would be run.dll, wouldn't it?
I am not sure how to SET associations in Vista as Im very new to it.
Thanks for the ideas anyways.
~Drew

".Joe" wrote:

NeologiK

There is no option in Vista to fix the EXE file type association. Here is
the easiest way to do this.

Go to the following website:

Restore the .exe file association in Windows Vista, after incorrectly
associating it with another application:
http://www.winhelponline.com/article...plication.html

Scroll down to the bottom of that web page. Under ' Attachments', click the
'exefix_cu.reg' to download this file to your Desktop.

Right click the file and select the 'Merge' option. OK the permission
prompts.

This will reset the EXE file association back to it's default settings.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Desktop Experience


"NeologiK" <NeologiK@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:A02B0243-4536-4F92-9492-064B3715A262@xxxxxx