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!

Hi,

Try the .exe file association fix here:
http://www.winhelponline.com/article...ows-Vista.html

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"NeologiK" <NeologiK@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news72B8128-61FA-4F26-8B81-61BB0E3A9640@xxxxxx

NeologiK wrote:Have you tried to Restore to a earlier date?

Yes I performed a system restore to a pre-update date, and it was still there.
Of course, that "should" have restored any damaged system files, and
associations. I feel like its an association problem for .exe files, but
shouldn't a restore have fixed that? and also- I am new to Vista and am not
sure HOW to set default associations. The "set defaults" in CP doesn't have
..exe files listed, but I also don't see any "add file type" option. ( Im
assuming on Vista it would be run.dll for an .exe file..... )
Thanks for the ideas so far tho-
~Drew

"Anthony" wrote:

Run sfc /scannow.

"NeologiK" <NeologiK@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:60181AED-2DE7-45E9-8844-8A71711BD036@xxxxxx

Thanks, Bob- I performed the sfc /scannow but no errors were found. (Shucks!)
However, in the associations menu in control panel, there is NO .exe file
mentioned and no option to add file types. Is this normal? Should there not
be a default exe association showing?
I also applied the .exe association fix as Rick Rogers advised, but no change.
AV and AdAware find no viruses or malicious files, but I have restored sys
files, performed fixes etc etc to no avail. The last option would be a full
install- BUT, due to moving many of the essential software CD's are in
another province so that would be a non-option for us. We are both Clinical
Psych Masters/Phd students so we rely on this laptop alot. Thank you for all
your ideas, and any help you can give is honestly really appreciated!
~Drew

"Bob" wrote:

Thank you Rick,
Thats a great link, but it just did not work for me.
In the control panel's association menu I have noticed there are NO .exe
associations nor any "add file type" options.. Shouldn't an .exe file be on
the association list??? It seems central and obvious.. Even after the fix was
applied there was still no .exe associations.
I can not find any viruses with AV or AdAware, and there are no other
symptoms.
The final ditch option would be a full re-install-obviously, BUT, due to
moving, many of the essential software CD's are in another province so that
would be a non-option for us. We are both Clinical Psychology Masters/Phd
students so we rely on this laptop alot, and some of the software is HIGHLY
specialized medical informatics expert systems which could not be replaced.
So- Thank you for all your ideas, and any help you can give is honestly
really appreciated!
~Drew & Alyssa

"Rick Rogers" wrote:

Hi,

It is normal for .exe, .com, and several other file types to not show in the
associations list as they should not be changed to begin with. If the fix
applied correctly and it still doesn't work, then the problem is not with
the association. It's in conflict or being blocked by another process. Run
msconfig from the start/search prompt, and on the general tab put the system
in diagnostic mode. Then click apply/ok and reboot. See if .exe's will run
now.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"NeologiK" <NeologiK@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:62C30C57-CE04-40D8-A2E5-CDBB29353B17@xxxxxx

The same exact type problem described here happened to me this morning but
only with .xls files. What's going on? Thanks.

"Rick Rogers" wrote:

If you've got a third party firewall installed try booting into safe
mode and uninstalling it.
--
"I first diagnosed symptomless coma
three years ago, and since then the number
of cases has been steadily increasing."