I cannot access any programs of the programs in the startmenu or through the icons. This started happening yesterday after i encountered a file( i have forgotten the name by the first two letters hj and its name was jumbled with letters) from the C:\Windows file and deleted it. It wasn't there before and it wasn't hidden like most other system files, so i had thought that it was just another unneccessary spyware. When i try to start a program the message error, "Windows cannot find .. You may have typed the name incorrectly in the run dialog,or another open program cannot find a sytem file." error. I am able to open internet explorer through the desktop but not through the startmenu. When i ctrl+alt+delete to the taskmenu, there is only Explorer. The programs don't start during startup.In the control panel, most of the icons result in the error, "Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item." except folder options, fonts,taskbars, printers, scanners and scheduled tasks. I am able to access word by clicking on saved documents. I have done numerous virus scans with norton antivirus 2003 but no viruses were detected. I have tried using Ex Fix to fix the registry editor but the problem still exists. Did i reall delete a vital system file that can open these programs? If it is, is there any way to restore it? Any suggestions or solutions to this problem will be most gratified. Thank you, jasdo

jasdo, sounds like it was a needed file. Several things come to mind...did the file just go into the recycle bin? (too easy! Just restore it if it did.) Almost as easy...'Restore' to an earlier date when all was ok and 'don't do that'again. Hehe. HTH. Ed in Texas.

Thank you Ed, but i am unable to access System Restore in windows. Would a boot disk possiby help restore it? If so, I have never used a boot disk before,so i would appreciate some help in how to use it. Thank you, jasdo

hello yes you can do system restore from bootdisk info in this link m.e wont start http://computing.net/windowsme/wwwboard/forum/30687.html

Now i have another problem! When i rebooted, the floppy drive made a funny noise, and then after the boot was finished, it went to windows. It use to scan the Floppy drive before going to windows and it had totally skipped it! When i got into my desktop and clicked on my computer to see if the Floppy drive was ok, but the floppy icon was missing! I decided that there was a problem with the BIOS setup so i rebooted the computer again. I checked the BIOS setup, but it was the same before the floppy drive problem occured. I exited and saved, but the funny noise was still there when i proceeded to my windows desktop. When i clicked on My computer, the floppy A: icon was there again. I doubled click the A: with the a floppy disk in then it froze for a few seconds, then an error saying that i needed to format the disk. I clicked OK to quick format, but stopped and said that i cant quick format if i hadn't fully formated the disk. When i clicked ok to fully format, no noise was there, when it usually formatted before. Another error appeared, this time, saying that i chose the wrong disk capacity. ( My disk capacity is 1.44 mb 3.5.)This error always comes up with every floppy disk i try it with. I had not changed anything and i know my settings are correct since i used these settings before when it worked. I need this floppy drive so i can restore the computer. The floppy drive stills makes that noise and skips the scan during boot. Could anyone with a 1.44 mb 3.5 give me their BIOS settings? Do you think it might work? Otherwise, can anybody tell me another solution? Please Reply. Thank you, jasdo

jasdo, Try getting "System Restore" to work, by going to "Run", and type this; c:\windows\system\restore\rstrui.exe Then press "Enter" The shortcuts for your programs, in the startmenu. Right-click one. Then click "Properties" and see what is listed at; Target: Start in: For an example; "System Restore" Target: (what does it say here) Start in: (what does it say here) A quick question jasdo. Did you install any programs, to tweak your OS? Example would be TweakUI.(or something like that) Also, do a search, of C:\ Look for *.cpl Then, right-click one of the files found, and click "Open with Control Panel". Do this, with each one. You also can type each of the names found, in the "Run", and press Enter. Make a note, of which ones, that give you problems. You can restore each, and every one of those, if need be. This page, will assist you with that. Hope that was of some help. Good Luck, and you're welcome. CrazyOne ================== CrazyOne, that's me. I'll put that kitten, BACK UP, in a tree. If, you don't believe me, just you wait, and see. The next time that kitten, is an absentee. Just take a look, and see. Because, there it will be, BACK UP, in a tree. ==================

whenever i click onto a program on my desktop it loads and the hour glass comes on next to the arrow.then the hour glass goes away and the arrow is normal and the program i wanted to open had'nt opend does'nt happen to every program that i try to open.i need some help please help