GearHeads Corner

WIN10 - Gearotic 3.xxx (Downloaded early Apr 2024)
1. is the immediate temporary fix
2. is the permanent fix

1. Just after installing, first attempt at running Gearotic.exe, Gearotic1.0.exe, Vexx.exe
- Gearotic.exe => hourGlass flash ... nothing.
- Gearotic1.0.exe => runs fine
- Vexx.exe => hourGlass flash ... nothing.
Art sent me a debug routine for me to report the last message on the screen as the debug stops.
I saw a partial Security clue as it flashed fast and gone.
Before reporting back, I just turned off Real Time Protection
Both exe started up... ok good.
SNAG: when trying to turn Real Time Protection back on, WIN10 had already done that, no notification!
Quickly checking if now it would block the exe again, IT DID NOT, I was able to kill and restart either programs at will
I reported back, the message, and problem solved, I am up and running.

FIX 1: Temporary solution:
WIN10 Settings
- WIN SECURITY&UPDATE
- VIRUS & THREAT PROTECTION
- VIRUS & THREAT PROTECTION SETTINGS
- manage Settings
- TURNED OFF REAL TIME PROTECTION
both Gearotic.exe and Vexx come up

2. Within 2 weeks or so, power out - had to reboot - both exe blocked again.
Tried the same fix, to no avail
- Gearotic_debug different message, something about loading shells!?
- tried as much as I knew, nope, cannot run these 2 exe!, unable to get around it, this time.

FIX 2: Permanent solution
Started to look for a solution online... after hours of the usual chase:
Though all my software runs fine, only the Gearotic and Vexx failing,
I clicked on this link:
Windows 10 Not Opening Any Programs FIX [Tutorial]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLUnuRSQroE

The video is slow and painful, the summary below is much faster.
Summary of video: regedit

Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
(Default): was exefile left it at exefile

Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
(Default): was Application -> changed it to "%1"%*

Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open
(Default): was empty -> changed it to "%1"%*

No instruction to REBOOT !?!? - Tried it without rebooting, failed of course.
Rebooted, now Gearotic and Vexx both start normally, after umpteen cold-boots.
- no need to further mess with Real Time Protection setting.
- Have not yet found out what the "%1"%* means or if it might be a security issue?

OTHER fixes: READ deep in the comments section of the video.

Hi:

Doesn't appear to be a security issue from a quick investigation. It seems to be the control word the
system uses to start an executable, and the registry is known to corrupt on that value on some systems.
Once corrupted, the right click run context menu malfunctions..

Thanks for the post, Ill keep a lookout for further details on that issue..

Art