I restarted my computer the other day after deleting a celebrity GOODBYE WAV I got from AOL. When windows loaded back up I clicked on 5.0 icon and a missing shortcut message popped up. I called AOL and all they said was yep its gone. They don't know how or offered any explantion. I then installed 6.0 (with an AOL CD) and 2 hours later upon shutting down a illegal operation message appeared (MM.TASK I think) and the computer froze. After a long night I just powered off manually. Next morning I turn the computer on and the scan that comes up when you shut down improperly says corrupt long file needs to be fixed and to run scandisk to repair. Ok Now.. Still with me? LOL When windows finishes loading I click on the AOL 6.0 icon and lo and behold missing shortcut message pops up. I then use scandisk and after the repairs AOL is back. I go to Mcafee.com clinic and use Performance Optimizer to fix and or clean any shortcuts to 5.0 and any other shortcuts that needed to be removed. Now any refernces to AOL 6.0 in my start-up menu and programs are now gone. Somewhere in the middle of all this AUTO.exe.BAT is empty. Any ideas as to what happened? Some things with my computer are still not right. I have scanned for viruses using 3 different anti virus scans. (came up clean on all 3) I've run the Trojan Remover (which also came up clean) I've purged cache folders, internet cookies etc. Sorry this is so long but I wanted to explain as well as I could the prob and anything I might have done so far. I would really appreciate anyone's help. Thanks for your time. Sharyn Sapphire1961@aol.com

OOPS! I forgot to mention the fact I'm using WIN98 Sharyn

I'm not sure that I understand what the problem is. Do you want to put something in autoexec.bat?

Jack, In my system configuration utility I thought I had previously seen info there under Autoexec.bat (Typo last time, sorry) I mentioned that because I did not know if there was an association between that and what happened with AOL. When I did call AOL again yesterday afternoon I was told there was no explanation as to why 5.0 suddenly disappeared or the missing references to AOL 6.0 in my start up menu and programs either. They had me click on aoltray.exe in order to put the icon back on my toolbar but that has since disappeared too. I guess I'm just looking for an answer to whats up with missing AOL icons and shortcuts and hoping it has nothing to do with my system itself. Sorry if I confused you. (lol didn't mean too) Thanks for your time : ) Sharyn

When you say that you powered down manually, do you mean that you turned off the computer by pressing the power switch?

It seems that you may have a couple of annoying, but unrelated problems. I understand that the system froze on you, and although it is sometimes unavoidable, powering down by killing power to the system can wreak havoc with your system files (as well as any apps/files that were in use at the time). The improper shutdown is the cause of your file corruption problems. Now...the AOL situation. First you must deal with this one simple fact...AOL software is buggy as hell. Now I'm not bashing AOL...they provide a unique experience that many people enjoy immensely, but their code is bloated and sloppy, causing an endless progression of page faults and illegal operations. I would recommend that you go back to version 5, as it is far more stable than 6.0. Uninstall all instances of AOL on your system and then Load 5.0 again. If you continue to have these missing shortcut problems, post back and we will go from there.

I'm trying to get my hands on an 5.0 CD and then I will load it again. (I've been told using the CD is a clean installation versus downloading online) It might take a week or 2 before before I have the opportunity to do so though. I'll most definitely post back if I have any probs. Thanks again for your time. Btw.. Yes I did turn off power by pressing the power switch. Sharyn