I need help with this virus. It blocked me out of everything

Okay so the virus on my computer (not this one, another one) was ingested while attempting to download a "codec" to watch a certain video on a random website my brother stumbled across. Once it got on the computer I noticed everything changed. The links on the desktop have all turned white and I am required to know what program created everything in order to open it. A window pops up and it says "windows cannot open this file:" whether it be My Computer or Firefox, I'm given the option to either use the web service to find the appropriate program or select the program from a list. Basically my entire computer is frozen and I can't open a darn thing. The things I can access are the Recycle Bin and Internet Explorer, everything else has changed, the icons are different and I can't open it, HELP PLEASE!!!! I BEG YOU!!!!

Please download the current version of HijackThis from HERE

• Double click and run the installer.
  
• It will install to C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\hijackthis.exe
  
• After installing, you should get the user agreement, press accept and Hijack This will run.
  
• Select Do a system scan and save a log file. This will open a notepad file of everything Hijack This found, copy and paste it back here.
  

I tried to open it but it sent me here

http://shell.windows.com/fileassoc/0409/xml/redir.asp?EXT=exe

i clicked run but it just sent me there and basically told me:

Windows has the following information about this file type. This page will help you find software needed to open your file.


File Type: Unknown
Description: Windows does not recognize this file type.

You may search the following Web site for related software and information:

* Search the web



Have questions? See these Frequently Asked Questions.

but how do i download anything when i cant even open a simple program

I went with DDS because it doesn't use exe file format, some malware isn't too wise as to what DDS is.

You said Internet Explorer works, so I figured you could download things. If not, try downloading via another machine and transfer via USB.