Problem: Certain files/applications will not open ("File Does Not Exist")

[Ray]

Whenever I try to open most files/programs such as
Helpctr.exe,Msconfig.exe,the DOS commandPrompt, or most
applications, I get an error saying that: "The Specified
Path Does Not Exist". However, All of the Icons are still
in the Folder and when i refresh the folder, they are
still there. I tried to open msconfig thinking that it was
a virus, but that also brought up the error. One of the
wierdest parts about all of this is that Only certain
programs work, and i can access certain files, but others
it will give me that error.

Your Input would really be appreciated in helping me solve
this problem, I have no clue how to go about this problem
and I have searhed through pretty much all of the MS
support database.

 

[Sharon F]

Whenever I try to open most files/programs such as
Helpctr.exe,Msconfig.exe,the DOS commandPrompt, or most
applications, I get an error saying that: "The Specified
Path Does Not Exist". However, All of the Icons are still
in the Folder and when i refresh the folder, they are
still there. I tried to open msconfig thinking that it was
a virus, but that also brought up the error. One of the
wierdest parts about all of this is that Only certain
programs work, and i can access certain files, but others
it will give me that error.

Your Input would really be appreciated in helping me solve
this problem, I have no clue how to go about this problem
and I have searhed through pretty much all of the MS
support database.

Did this problem occur all by itself or was it preceded by a reinstall of
the operating system?

If a reinstall occurred, what you are seeing would be normal. Programs that
do not depend on registry entries to run would work. Others would not
work. Solution is to reinstall the programs.

For the files and folders that belonged to the previous user account,
access can be accomplished by taking ownership of those objects.

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

If the situation you described seemed to have happened on its own, it's
possible that the user account is damaged or an infection (virus, worm or
trojan) was involved.

To test if the user account is damaged, try creating a new one and test to
see if it has access to most programs. Unless policies have been enabled
that block access, common objects such as the shortcut for the command
prompt window should work for this new account.

Since some viruses, worms and trojans can disable access to executable
files on a system, this is a good angle to check thoroughly. Perform a full
system scan with an up to date antivirus program. Since some of these
things can compromise the effectiveness of the antivirus program, you may
also want to perform a scan at one of the online scanners. Links for several
online scanners to choose from are:

http://security.symantec.com/default.asp?productid=symhome&langid=ie&venid=sym
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www.avp.ru/remoteviruschk.html
http://www3.ca.com/virusinfo/virusscan.aspx

 

[Ray]

Thanks for the help, but the problem is that windows will
not load these programs to begin with:

For example, I tried to create a new account (by going
to start>Control Panel>User Accounts -- then the error
occurs :
its critical messagebox that says: "rundll32.exe" at the
title. The body says:
rundll32.exe
The specified path does not exist.
Check the path, then try again.

Also, I currently have Norton Antivirus 2002 running on
my computer, but when i click on the shortcut on my deskop
the same error occurs:
Another critical messagebox that says: "C:\Program
Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\NMain.exe" at the
title. The body says:
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\NMain.exe"
The specified path does not exist.
Check the path, then try again.

As you can see the same exact problem is consistent with
most of the programs that i try to run. The same error
occurs when i try to open "Help and Support" off of the
taskbar menu, along with many other files. I will even go
open the directory and refresh the folder and still see
all the files there. It also occurs when i try to run
MSConfig. I think one of the .dll files are damaged.

 

[Sharon F]

Thanks for the help, but the problem is that windows will
not load these programs to begin with:

For example, I tried to create a new account (by going
to start>Control Panel>User Accounts -- then the error
occurs :
its critical messagebox that says: "rundll32.exe" at the
title. The body says:
rundll32.exe
The specified path does not exist.
Check the path, then try again.

Also, I currently have Norton Antivirus 2002 running on
my computer, but when i click on the shortcut on my deskop
the same error occurs:
Another critical messagebox that says: "C:\Program
Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\NMain.exe" at the
title. The body says:
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\NMain.exe"
The specified path does not exist.
Check the path, then try again.

As you can see the same exact problem is consistent with
most of the programs that i try to run. The same error
occurs when i try to open "Help and Support" off of the
taskbar menu, along with many other files. I will even go
open the directory and refresh the folder and still see
all the files there. It also occurs when i try to run
MSConfig. I think one of the .dll files are damaged.

Try booting to Safe Mode to see if you can access anything there.

Press F8 after POST and before Windows starts to load. This will bring up
the Advanced Start Menu. Select Safe Mode and log on.

If you have XP Pro, you can log on with any user that is a member of the
Administrator group including the builtin Administrator account.

If you have XP Pro, you can log on to Safe Mode with the builtin
administrator account only. Username (case sensitive) is Administrator If
you have never assigned a password to this account, leave the password
box blank.

Long shot: Instead of using the shortcut, can you double click on the EXE
file for any program and make it run that way? If yes, your association for
shortcut files (these have the .LNK extension) is damaged, you can fix
the association by using a REG file at MVP Doug Knox's website:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

There is also one there for .EXE files.

The LNK association can go awry on its own but it can also be damaged by
viruses. If EXE files fail, then virus is again the likely cause.

In fact, this is starting to sound more and more like a virus problem
especially with the rundll32 error messages and the refusal of the
antivirus program (and any program) to run. Rundll32 errors are not
common in WinXP at all however they often show up on virus infected
systems. Suggest using one of the online scanners that are listed in my
other message.

 

[Ray]

OK, I opened windows XP in Safe Mode, and the error still
occurs . If anyone can help me try to run the restore
program (on my laptop) from DOS. The restore program wont
run in windows with the error that i keep getting.

Also, Im not that familiar with what commands i can run in
the command prompt(Starting Computer in Safe Mode w/
command prompt).

The Restore program's directory is:
C:\Windows\restore\rstrui.exe

 

[Sharon F]

OK, I opened windows XP in Safe Mode, and the error still
occurs . If anyone can help me try to run the restore
program (on my laptop) from DOS. The restore program wont
run in windows with the error that i keep getting.

Also, Im not that familiar with what commands i can run in
the command prompt(Starting Computer in Safe Mode w/
command prompt).

The Restore program's directory is:
C:\Windows\restore\rstrui.exe

Ray, that command runs XP's System Restore. Is that what you want to try
nest? I guess it's a good option to see if the problem is registry related or
not however I'm still concerned about the strong possibility of a virus.

Anyhow, there's an article that gives step by step directions for what
you're asking about:

HOW TO: Start the System Restore Tool from a Command Prompt in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;304449