Possible fake virus infection notice redirected to antivirus software site instead. Tried to scan using MS Security Essentials, Malicious SFWR Removal Tool, and Malware Bytes --- all crashed and subsequent all .exe programs enabled and cannot be opened.Tried opening scan software from thumb drive, but .exe disabled there too.Any ideas where to start.1 person needs an answerI do too

What is the name of the fake antivirus program? You can probably do a web search for that name and find many removal guides.Try running the scans after starting the computer in Safe Mode with Networking , as described here:A Description of the Safe Mode Boot Options in Windows XP.Boulder Computer MavenMicrosoft Most Valuable Professional

Thanks for the response Steve. There was no "brand" name on the warning, that's why I thought it was fake. And the scans I ran from the thumb drive were run from Safe Mode with Networking, but crashed and the .exe files were disabled in Safe Mode. The XP OS still starts up and my file folders are still there, but can't access any .exe programs or the web.

Try to restore your system back to the time before this problem happen.You may try to run following tools from kaspersky which boot and scan :http://support.kaspersky.com/viruses/rescuediskIf that also did not solved the issue then contact support:https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/default.aspx?productkey=pcsafetymalware&faq=1&task=diagnostics&st=1&wfxredirect=1

Could be .exe file association problem created by an infection. A registry fix for this(XP) is available here, http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htmIt's listed as "EXE File Association Fix". Download to desktop, double click and accept notification for changes to your registry. Before doing so back up your registry, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756in case this does not resolve the problem. For reference check here, http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/xprepair/thread/3e314731-ef38-4b74-ac66-cece94fb3b3d