Cant open/run certain files w/o using "Run As..." from the Popupmenu

[Ray]

Whenever i try to open some system files such as
cmd.exe, helpctr.exe, regedit, msconfig, ect... I get an
error message that says "File Does Not Exist. Please check
file path and try again." However, if i right-click on the
same exact file and click Run As (using default user), the
program or file will start up with no problems. i know
that this problem still occurs in safe mode, and i have
also checked the registry in case of a virus. In addition,
I cant run most things in my control panel, since the file
rundll32.exe also comes up with an error. Because of this
problem, i can not use rstrui.exe (the restore program
that XP offers) because it, too, says "specified path does
not exist."
I would appreciate anyones help on this problem, I
have tried all i can and nothing has helped. Im pretty
sure one of the system files is damaged, but i have no
clue where to start. Than,s.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Assuming you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, try a Repair
install as follows:
NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to start
over and do a clean install of XP. If you don't have your data backed up,
you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.

Boot from the CD. If your system is set to be able to boot from the CD, it
should detect the disk and give a brief message, during the boot up, if you
wish to boot from the CD press any key.

Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin. You will see a reference
asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if you
wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2. Just let
setup run past all of that. It will continue to load files and drivers.

Then it will bring you to a screen. Eventually, you will come to a screen
with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows Installation
using the Recovery console.

The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires you to
press enter. When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement. Setup
will then search for previous versions of Windows. Upon finding your
version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation or
install fresh. Press R, that will run a repair installation. From there
on, follow the screens.

If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited. You can
either purchase a retail version of XP will allow you to perform the above
among other tools and options it has or you can run your system recovery
routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive, deleting all
files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.

After running the repair install, you may need to reinstall your
applications or remove and reinstall your applications to resolve the issues
you are having opening them.

 

[Ray]

Thanks for the help, but that is part of the problem. I
recently bought this computer (which is a Toshiba Laptop)
with everything preloaded. I noticed that XP has a system
restore tool, but it does no use if i cant run it
correctly in the first place.
What i mean by this is that when i actually do get the
restore program to run (C:\windows\system32\rstrui.exe),
which i have done in safe mode through DOS (or using Run
As..), Windows still has to reboot to finish the process,
and during this time when it reboots, the computer will
try to run 'rstrui.exe', which is again shot down by the
error message "Specified File Path Does Not Exist". So
restore is unable to finish the process, and i am now
stuck with a bunch of hidden folders that were waiting to
be used by the restore program.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

And Toshiba gave you no means of recovery? I can't guarantee that if you
had an XP CD you would be able to resolve this issue, at least
non-destructively but in your current situation, that is in fact the only
alternative.

You can continue to run yourself ragged trying to resolve this which, if you
do, only puts off the inevitable, that at some point, your system will be
rendered unbootable and your only alternative, assuming they gave you some
sort of recovery procedure is to wipe the drive and start over or you can do
the one thing that at least offers you other tools now and in the future and
that is to acquire a retail version of XP.