all programs changes to .lnk file extention

im using
Product: Hp (hewlett-packard) Compaq x1058cl centrino 1.4ghz / 1.2bgb / 120gb / cd-rw/dvd-rom combo drive / 15.4 wxga /
Today all my files turned to the extension .LNK instead of .jpg .exe ect. and its really hard to navigate my computer, I cant even open paint, or notepad. Every single file on my computer has conformed to this .LNK extension. It took great time to open this Internet Explorer browser to post here, and much navigating. I can not open any of my programs. Say I double click a shortcut on my desktop to go to internet explorer I get a file download window popup asking me if I want to open save or cancel just as if I were downloading any other file. I have tried an system restore but I believe that the .LNK extension change has not allowed me to.

In a nutshell : All my computers files are .LNK and can not be accessed.

Help please.

Post ASAP because I cant x out of this window until I have the solution. And when you do post check back soon for my response on how it works so I can give you feedback. Thanks. :