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A nearly empty folder from a previously installed program opens at startup. Just the folder, not the program. I close it and get on with things, but it's annoying. I thought about just deleting the folder, but then I suppose I'd get an error message every time I switch on my computer saying ""cannot open..." or worse.
I used Mike Lin's Startup cpl and it doesn't show there. I looked in mscongig, can't find it there either. I searched the web for help, and figure it might be something to do with the registry. I looked in regedit, but couldn't find it, although I'm not sure where to look (I'm getting out of my depth in regedit).
The folder that opens is C:\Program
This isn't the main program files folder on C, just a small folder created by the program I installed before (which I uninstalled using the add/remove programs function.)
However, just to make things weirder still, I found a post on this site where a guy recommended that someone with a similar problem rename the folder. So, I renamed it to progras (without shutting down and restarting). Then, when I clicked on a media file to play, windows media player didn't open. I got a message saying "cannot find the C:\progras files\windowsmediaplayer\wmplayer.exe
I checked, and I hadn't accidentally renamed the "program files" folder (where wmplayer.exe is) to "progras files" - I'd just renamed the almost empty "Program" folder to "Progras". When I renamed it back to "program", media files opened automatically again.
There must be some connection between the "program" folder and the Program files" folder???
Any help much appreciated.
Use regedit to kill anything in the run menus:
Click start > Select run > Type regedit >
open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software > Microsoft > Windows > Currentversion: look in these folders;
Run
RunOnce
RunOnceEx
RunServices
RunServicesOnceIf you find anything relating to old programs delete them; also do the same trick in HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Likewise, from the Run command box type MSCONFIG and select the start up and and tick off anything in there relating to the old program(s)
lammas cry¿?rp$
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That's very weird indeed and it looks like you've already tried renaming it (to progras).
Very much a long shot but try renaming it to something quite different, like jose, then reboot. If this doesn't help then follow this by "shutting down" and restarting in MS-DOS. Then type scanreg /fix which rebuilds your registry. Type exit to restart Windows (usual Return after each command).
It does make me think that the registry has somehow lost its way. The only other thing is to delete the folder into the bin and reboot, on the basis that you can always pull it out again if it backfires. The fact that changing it to progras didn't turn your machine into an elephant gives me some confidence that it is safe to try the foregoing ideas if you are prepared to take the chance.
DerekW
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ham30
"That's a windows quirk (Bug?). Just rename the folder anything but 'Program'."Doesn't seem to be a quirk except in XP or possibly NT Class. Haven't tried it with NT4 yet but XP don't like it. It's ok in 98se.
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Hi
Thanks for all your replies. I still have this problem. The only thing I haven't tried yet is the scanreg /fix suggested by Derek W. Entering the world of DOS is a bit scarey for me :o( but maybe I'll try it...
Before I do, I did rename the program folder to a completely different name, and rebooted.
At first I thought this had solved the problem, as the folder "program" didn't open at startup, but then I clicked on a media file, and sure enough I get the same error message as described in my original post: "cannot find the C:\n files\windowsmediaplayer\wmplayer.exe. Make sure the path and file name is correct...")
(n is the renamed "program" folder. Whatever name I give the "program" folder, opening a media file always tries to open via that folder instead of the "program files" folder.)
But if I open media player itself, and then open a media file (eg mp3) it plays ok.
Obviously there is some setting whereby clicking on an mp3 file tries to open the media player via a certain path (in this case through the empty/non-existent "progras files" folder instead of the "program files" folder).
I have a shortcut to media player on my desktop, and if I click on properties it shows the target as "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe"
With media files themselves, where is the setting that decides which path they follow in trying to open the media player? I mean, if I look at the properties of an mp3 file, I can't see a "find target" field, but obviously somewhere in the computer there is something telling media files to open media player through the non-existent "progras files"/"n" folder instead of the "program files" folder. (The weird thing is, every time I change the name of this folder, media files will always try to open via that folder, whatever name it has.)
It says "make sure the path is correct" but I don't know how to do this. Maybe just changing the path name for opening meda files will solve my problem once and for all.
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Firstly there is nothing whatever to be afraid of about using scanreg /fix from DOS as described. It's a bit of a long shot though, so it probably won't help.
Try this:
First of all make sure that your old "progras" folder is renamed to something very different (not starting with P). Now go to the proper "Program Files" folder, right click properties and get the DOS name. I want to be sure it is PROGRA~1. If Not shout back before doing anything else.
Assuming this is correct, go to
Start/Settings/Folder Options/File TypesFind the entry that shows MP3 in the File type details.
It will probably be called MP3 Format Sound. Once you've found it click Edit button, then the Edit button on the next screen. This will show the DOS path.Copy/Paste this entry into NotePad and save it (then you can put it back if you don't like the results of any changes. The entry can now be changed but might include DOS notation. Shout back with the entry details if you need any help.
IF this should help then you will probably have to do it for several more extensions too.
DerekW
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Thanks again Derek.
I renamed the folder to "n"
When I try to open an mp3 file it says "cannot find the file C:\n files\windows media player\wmplayer.exe"
I then edited the path in folder options for mp3 files as you advised. It already showed the right path (ie through "program files") but I did it again just to make sure. So the path in "folder options - file types" definitely is "C:\program files\windows media player....." but again, when I try to open an mp3 file, it doesn't open. Whatever name I give the stupid "Program" folder, I always get the message saying "can't find the C:\[new name] files\windows media player...". It always wants to open up through that folder.
Incidentally, if I just open media player directly, then double click on any mp3 file, it plays fine. Having media player open seems to make sure it follows the right path. Weird huh?
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Check my #2 here:
http://computing.net/windows95/wwwboard/forum/159473.html
You could also run hijackthis. It should show what is calling that folder.
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What is the DOS name of your "program files" folder (see my #9, para 2)? It should be Progra~1 but I'm wondering if it is now stuck as Progra~2 or something.
DerekW
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