i clicked on a short cut and got the following:Windows cannot open
this file: File:Logoff?SessionID=8973770363216734383 . I6 goes on to
instruct me find out what program created the file etc. It tells me
use the web service to find the appropriate program or select the
rpopgram from a list. This same thing is happening with several
desktop short cuts. What do I do?

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Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 15 Dec 2004 15:48 PST

Hi ffrose,

I would check for spyware. Try Ad-aware first and see if that solves it. 

Adaware ("check for updates" before running):
http://lavasoft.element5.com/default.shtml.en

If not, consider the following -

HouseCall, a very thorough online virus scan:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

CWShredder:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/coolwebshredder.htmls

SpyBot:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

KRC Anti-Spyware Tutorial
http://www.greyknight17.com/spyware.htm

Good luck - please let us know if that helps.
hummer

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Clarification of Question by ffrose-ga on 16 Dec 2004 12:42 PST

I am running Ad-Aware SE pro;Spyware blaster;spubot;XoftSpy. I run all
of them at least once a day. I also have NOD #2 Virus protection.
Daily scans have found nothing. Yesterday  (as suggested) I ran house
call. It found nothing.All of My soft ware is up todate and I check
each day. I can get to any site via Internet exployer> The problem is
with some of My desk top icons.

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Clarification of Question by ffrose-ga on 16 Dec 2004 12:43 PST

That should read NOD 32 and spybot

It sounds like certain Internet shortcuts (http://etc...) have been
convered into file shortcuts (file://, which refer to files on your
own machine). Windows is trying to locate a program or file on your
computer called "Logoff?SessionID=etc..", which of course doesn't
exist.

If these icons used to point to programs you use regularly (say,
Microsoft Word, or AOL Instant Messenger) but are now spitting out
this error, then there's something odd going on. If they're new icons
and/or were part of your Internet Favorites (ie: Bookmarks), then it's
safe to delete them.

The icons pointed to a email program and several banks. I deleted them
and went to the sites via internet exployer and then created the
shorts again but I ended up with the same problem. At one point I use
system restore and went back to 11-04.Things worked fine for a while
and then the problem returned.

1 it wouldbe very useful if you explained HOW exactly you created these icons.
2 Click right,choose properties and check tthe address written there
it should begin with http://site.com?somedata .if you create it with
dragging site icon from IE to desktop,it should work .
3 note that if you create a shortcut after logging in(not to type
login&passwd) won't work.

You can't create a functional shortcut to an internet page that is
using a URL that includes session data. Session data and IDs are one
time or temporary numbers for that visit to the web page, and should
not work again. If you are creating a shortcut that is calling a
logoff script with an old session id, 2 things are going wrong. 1, you
are shortcutting the logoff page, when you should be shortcutting the
page to log on, and 2, you are doing #1. This doesn't address the file
issue though, but I thought I would at least comment.

Have you run a scandisk? This problem could potentially be caused by
disk corruption.

--Running a scan disk in Windows XP
In Windows XP, go to My Computer, right click your drive, click
properties. Go to the Tools tab, and in the Error Checking section
click Check Now. Then check the Automatically Fix File System Errors
checkbox and click start. If this is your boot disk, then it will ask
you if you wish to schedule a scan disk at next boot. Click yes, then
reboot. Let the disk scan proceed.

these are shot cuts that were created after I pulled up sites like bank of america.
I followed the instructions given by "synthparadox".It did not help. I
can still get to the various sites but I have to do via typing it into
 IE.

I think I have seen this before! Associate Internet Explorer to handle
Internet Shortcuts (ie URLs):
1. In IE6, go to Tools and Internet Options...
2. Select the Programs tab
3. Select the check box at the bottom that says "Internet Explorer
should check to see whether it is the default browser"
4. Hit Ok and restart IE6

This should fix any URL related problems. Hope this helps!
Thanks

I followed the last instruction and checked the indicated box.I then
clicked on my msn icon. "windows cannot open this
file:hmhome?fti=yes&curmbox=F00000001&a=6ed1a06d0853702d".