Regaining the lost utilities in the Accessory area in program files

[Roy]

I recently checked my nephew's Pc following some suggestions from
this thread and here is what I found:


in the document and settings and found out these things:
It has three folders
The All Users, Users and all Users Windows

The all user folder is a BLANK folder,.
The users folder contains cookies, desktop, favorite,my documents,
phone browsers, start menu, users data, default pls, ntusers
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs
\Accessories
And found only this
Accessibility
Only accessibility wizard

Entertainment
Only two:
Sound recorder and volume control

Communication
Only five
Hyperterminal
Network setup wizard
New connection wizard
Network connections
Wireless Setup wizard

System tools
Only 8
Activate windows
Back up
Disk Clean up
Files and setting transfer wizard
Disk Defragmenter
Scheduled task
System restore
System information
Therefore is
Where is the calculator, the command prompt, notepad , word pad ,and
the paint,WINDOW EXPLORER LINK, tour windows Xp, synchronize link
shortcuts?
Why did it vanished in thin air?

I also checked the Accessories shortcuts thanks to Tim Meddick

LinkName: Calculator.Ink
Target C:\WINDOWS\System32\calc.exe
The calculator will pop up when its run

LinkName: Command promp
Target C:\WINDOWS\System32\cmd.exe
The command prompt pops out

LinkName: notepad.ink
Target C:\WINDOWS|System 32\notepad.exe
The notepad pops out

LinkNameaint.Ink
Target C:\WINDOWS\System32\mspaint.exe
The paint pops out

LinkName:\Addressbook.Ink
TargetC:\Program files\Outlook\Express\wab.exe
Its there but no shortcut

Link Name:Synchronize .Ink
Target C:\WINDOWS\System32\mobsync.exe
Its there but no shortcut

Link Name:Tour Windows XP.Ink
Target C:\WINDOWS\System 32\tourstart.exe
Its there but no short cut

Link Name:WINDOWS Explorer.Inc
Target C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe

Actually nephew logged on his own users name and there is not conflict
with anybody as he is the administrator of his own PC.
That windows Xp PC software was installed by one of his friend which
is not around anymore but relocated therefore he has no one to ask for
help but me..which unfortunately not really good on this things
either…< grin>

So I am relaying this question the experts here,
I don’t have that problem in my current PC so have no idea that such
shortcuts will vanish.....

Another problem that he recognized is if he install a new software ,
it looks for slot in the accessories or other installed programs
instead of creating its own place. That was likely the reason that
when he installed power DVD in the accessories folder the shortcuts
just vanished from that directory....

Now he is reluctant to install more of his software being afraid it
might delete more shortcuts in the program files.
Any more ideas how to sort this out also?
Regards
Roy

 

[Roy]

I recently checked my nephew's Pc  following some suggestions from
this thread and here is what I found:

 in the document and  settings and found out these things:
It has three folders
The All Users, Users and all Users Windows

The all user folder is  a BLANK  folder,.
The users folder contains cookies, desktop, favorite,my documents,
phone browsers, start menu, users data, default pls, ntusers
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs
\Accessories
And found only this
Accessibility
Only accessibility wizard

Entertainment
Only two:
Sound recorder and volume control

Communication
Only  five
Hyperterminal
Network setup wizard
New connection wizard
Network connections
Wireless Setup wizard

System tools
Only 8
Activate windows
Back up
Disk Clean up
Files and setting transfer wizard
Disk Defragmenter
Scheduled task
System restore
System information
Therefore is
Where is the calculator, the command prompt, notepad , word pad ,and
the paint,WINDOW EXPLORER LINK, tour windows Xp, synchronize link
shortcuts?
Why did it vanished in thin air?

I also checked theAccessoriesshortcuts thanks to Tim Meddick

LinkName: Calculator.Ink
Target C:\WINDOWS\System32\calc.exe
The calculator will pop up when its run

LinkName: Command promp
Target C:\WINDOWS\System32\cmd.exe
The command prompt pops out

LinkName: notepad.ink
Target C:\WINDOWS|System 32\notepad.exe
The notepad pops out

LinkNameaint.Ink
Target C:\WINDOWS\System32\mspaint.exe
The paint pops out

LinkName:\Addressbook.Ink
TargetC:\Program files\Outlook\Express\wab.exe
Its there but noshortcut

Link Name:Synchronize .Ink
Target C:\WINDOWS\System32\mobsync.exe
Its there but noshortcut

Link Name:Tour Windows XP.Ink
Target C:\WINDOWS\System 32\tourstart.exe
Its there but no short cut

Link Name:WINDOWS Explorer.Inc
Target C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe

Actually nephew logged on his own users name and there is not conflict
with anybody as he is the administrator of his own PC.
That  windows Xp PC software was installed by one of his friend which
is not around anymore but relocated therefore he has no one to ask for
help but me..which unfortunately not  really good on this things
either…< grin>

So I am relaying this question the experts here,
I don’t have that problem in my current PC so have no idea that such
shortcuts will  vanish.....

Another problem that he recognized is if he install a new software ,
it looks for slot in theaccessories or other installed programs
instead of creating its  own place. That was likely the reason that
when he installed power DVD in theaccessoriesfolder the shortcuts
just vanished from that directory....

Now he is reluctant to install more of his software  being afraid it
might delete more shortcuts in the program files.
Any more ideas how to sort this out also?
Regards
Roy

Due to my hectic schedule, I have only time to check recently my
nephew pc and the problem is still there...

I have checked the Accessories here
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs and
the utilities such as
paint, calculator, notepad, command prompt,tour window xp,
synchronize] tour window explorer is gone
there was nothing there!

When I run this address
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories"
There was that pop up that says….
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories"
Run notification was like this
It refers to a location that is not available….It could be in the hard
drive in this computer or in the network. Check to make sure that the
disk is properly inserted or you have connected t the internet or the
network and try again….f its cannot be located it might have moved to
a different location…

What does this mean……….? Could that be possible that the address given
will just vanish from the designated location…? How can we retrieve
that…?
Is there any quick solution to this...
BTW IIRc somebody recommended to create the shortcuts int he desktop,
would somebody explain it more in detail?
Thanks!

 

[Roy]

Due to my hectic schedule, I have only time to check recently my
nephew pc and the problem is still there...


Thanks!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Due to my hectic schedule, I have only time now to check recently my
nephew pc and the problem is still there

I have checked the Accessories here

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs and
the utilities such as
paint, calculator, notepad, command prompt,tour window xp,
synchronize] tour window explorer is gone
there was nothing there!

When I run this address
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories"
There was that pop up that says….
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories"
Run notification was like this
It refers to a location that is not available….It could be in the hard
drive in this computer or in the network. Check to make sure that the
disk is properly inserted or you have connected t the internet or the
network and try again….f its cannot be located it might have moved to
a different location…

What does this mean……….? Could that be possible that the address given
will just vanish from the designated location…? How can we retrieve
that…?
Is there any quick solution to this...
BTW IIRc somebody recommended to create the shortcuts int he desktop,
would somebody explain it more in detail?

 

[Tim Meddick]

Roy,
the quotes ON BOTH SIDES of the address are ESSENTIAL as there are
spaces in the location address and without them Windows cannot see the whole
address as one thing!

When I pasted and copied the address you gave I got the same thing until I
was that there was only one quotation mark - at the end of the address.

You can quite easily 'navigate' to the folder instead - by opening 'Windows
Explorer' (Windows Key + E) and the opening the folder "Documents and
Settings" and then clicking on the + (plus sign) next to the folder "All
Users" then the same for "Start Menu"....


==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

I recently checked my nephew's Pc following some suggestions from
this thread and here is what I found:

in the document and settings and found out these things:
It has three folders
The All Users, Users and all Users Windows

The all user folder is a BLANK folder,.
The users folder contains cookies, desktop, favorite,my documents,
phone browsers, start menu, users data, default pls, ntusers
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs
\Accessories
And found only this
Accessibility
Only accessibility wizard

Entertainment
Only two:
Sound recorder and volume control

Communication
Only five
Hyperterminal
Network setup wizard
New connection wizard
Network connections
Wireless Setup wizard

System tools
Only 8
Activate windows
Back up
Disk Clean up
Files and setting transfer wizard
Disk Defragmenter
Scheduled task
System restore
System information
Therefore is
Where is the calculator, the command prompt, notepad , word pad ,and
the paint,WINDOW EXPLORER LINK, tour windows Xp, synchronize link
shortcuts?
Why did it vanished in thin air?

I also checked theAccessoriesshortcuts thanks to Tim Meddick

LinkName: Calculator.Ink
Target C:\WINDOWS\System32\calc.exe
The calculator will pop up when its run

LinkName: Command promp
Target C:\WINDOWS\System32\cmd.exe
The command prompt pops out

LinkName: notepad.ink
Target C:\WINDOWS|System 32\notepad.exe
The notepad pops out

LinkNameaint.Ink
Target C:\WINDOWS\System32\mspaint.exe
The paint pops out

LinkName:\Addressbook.Ink
TargetC:\Program files\Outlook\Express\wab.exe
Its there but noshortcut

Link Name:Synchronize .Ink
Target C:\WINDOWS\System32\mobsync.exe
Its there but noshortcut

Link Name:Tour Windows XP.Ink
Target C:\WINDOWS\System 32\tourstart.exe
Its there but no short cut

Link Name:WINDOWS Explorer.Inc
Target C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe

Actually nephew logged on his own users name and there is not conflict
with anybody as he is the administrator of his own PC.
That windows Xp PC software was installed by one of his friend which
is not around anymore but relocated therefore he has no one to ask for
help but me..which unfortunately not really good on this things
either…< grin>

So I am relaying this question the experts here,
I don’t have that problem in my current PC so have no idea that such
shortcuts will vanish.....

Another problem that he recognized is if he install a new software ,
it looks for slot in theaccessories or other installed programs
instead of creating its own place. That was likely the reason that
when he installed power DVD in theaccessoriesfolder the shortcuts
just vanished from that directory....

Now he is reluctant to install more of his software being afraid it
might delete more shortcuts in the program files.
Any more ideas how to sort this out also?
Regards
Roy

Due to my hectic schedule, I have only time to check recently my
nephew pc and the problem is still there...

I have checked the Accessories here
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users.WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs and
the utilities such as
paint, calculator, notepad, command prompt,tour window xp,
synchronize] tour window explorer is gone
there was nothing there!

When I run this address
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories"
There was that pop up that says….
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories"
Run notification was like this
It refers to a location that is not available….It could be in the hard
drive in this computer or in the network. Check to make sure that the
disk is properly inserted or you have connected t the internet or the
network and try again….f its cannot be located it might have moved to
a different location…

What does this mean……….? Could that be possible that the address given
will just vanish from the designated location…? How can we retrieve
that…?
Is there any quick solution to this...
BTW IIRc somebody recommended to create the shortcuts int he desktop,
would somebody explain it more in detail?
Thanks!

 

[Roy]

Roy,
        the quotes ON BOTH SIDES of the address are ESSENTIAL as there are
spaces in the location address and without them Windows cannot see the whole
address as one thing!

Well yes...
I checked it ...yes your correct.....sorry.....
Anyway what is really surprising is there is nothing in that area that
tells about the missing utilities....?
Meaning its gone....?
Therefore if its not there , then what is the best way to recreate it?
Roy

 

[Roy]

Therefore if its not there , then what is the best way to recreate it?

What I mean in the missing system tools, how can we regain the
Paint, calculator,tour winXp,synchronize, command prompt,
notepad,wordpad...
So, if its already in that folder then I can make a shortcut for the
accessories directory and hence solve my nephews pc problem.
Roy

 

[Jose]

A few days ago a nephew of mine installed the powerDVD on his WinXP
run pC. He placed the ware in the Accesories , therefore it displaced
the utilities associated with it.
I tried using system restore but it did not work.
Is there a bettter way to regain the utilities in the Accessories...?
Supposing you instal a software , occasionally it selects among the
already existing area as the slot for the new software installation.
Is there a way to prevent that, and hence make the software
beinstalled in a slot unique to it say by expanding the all program
files?

If they are missing for a user, there is probably a default copy here:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories

Take the contents of the above folder and copy all or parts of it to:

C:\Documents and Settings\<Your User Name Here>\Start Menu\Programs
\Accessories

Create the Accessories folder if it is missing for your user.

What you see in Start menus is just stuff in a folder someplace.
Every user has their own copy which is taken from All Users when that
user got created.

You can copy, paste, delete anything you want to see (or not see) from
these folders and then it will instantly change what you are offered
under your Start button options.

This is why you sometimes get asked when installing - do you want this
for all users or just the current user? The program will then put in
in correct folder for all users or/or just the current user.

 

[Tim Meddick]

Like I said in my first reply in this thread: You will just have to be
patient and *create* the missing shortcuts yourself - one by one.

Here are the locations (targets) of the link files (shortcuts) that are in
the Accessories folder by default. As I said, recreate them - one by one -
just work your way down the list.
Having made a new folder (if the folder does not exist) called "Accessories"

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories

........

Accessories Shortcuts
---------------------

LinkName: Address Book.lnk
Target: C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\wab.exe

LinkName: Calculator.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\calc.exe

LinkName: Command Prompt.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe

LinkName: Notepad.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe

LinkName: Paint.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mspaint.exe

LinkName: Remote Desktop Connection.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mstsc.exe

LinkName: Synchronize.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mobsync.exe

LinkName: Tour Windows XP.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\tourstart.exe

LinkName: Windows Explorer.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe

LinkName: WordPad.lnk
Target: C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories\wordpad.exe


.....once the shortcuts have been created in the folder named above, they
will then be part of the 'Start Menu' under the folder of the same name
(Accessories).


==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Therefore if its not there , then what is the best way to recreate it?

What I mean in the missing system tools, how can we regain the
Paint, calculator,tour winXp,synchronize, command prompt,
notepad,wordpad...
So, if its already in that folder then I can make a shortcut for the
accessories directory and hence solve my nephews pc problem.
Roy

 

[Roy]

If they are missing for a user, there is probably a default copy here:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories

Take the contents of the above folder and copy all or parts of it to:

Thanks for your reply...but I checked that folder and the files are
missing there also....

There are four folders
with the corresponding contents:

Accessibility> accessibility wizard;

Communication>hyperterminal,network connections, network setup
wizard, new connection wizard, wirelessnetwork setup wizard

Entertainment> sound recorder and volume control

System Tools> Activate windows, backup, character map, disk
defragmenter, scheduled task, system restore, disk cleanup, files and
setting transfer wizard, system information.

This is really surprising.........and perplexing...

 

[Roy]

Like I said in my first reply in this thread:  You will just have to be
patient and *create* the missing shortcuts yourself - one by one.

Here are the locations (targets) of the link files (shortcuts) that are in
the Accessories folder by default.  As I said, recreate them - one by one -
just work your way down the list.
Having made a new folder (if the folder does not exist) called "Accessories"

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories

.......

Accessories Shortcuts
---------------------

LinkName: Address Book.lnk
Target: C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\wab.exe

LinkName: Calculator.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\calc.exe

LinkName: Command Prompt.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe

LinkName: Notepad.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe

LinkName: Paint.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mspaint.exe

LinkName: Remote Desktop Connection.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mstsc.exe

LinkName: Synchronize.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mobsync.exe

LinkName: Tour Windows XP.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\tourstart.exe

LinkName: Windows Explorer.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe

LinkName: WordPad.lnk
Target: C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories\wordpad.exe

....once the shortcuts have been created in the folder named above, they
will then be part of the 'Start Menu' under the folder of the same name
(Accessories).

==

Cheers,    Tim Meddick,    Peckham, London.    





What I mean in the missing  system tools, how can we regain the
Paint, calculator,tour winXp,synchronize, command prompt,
notepad,wordpad...
So, if its already in that folder then I can make a shortcut  for the
accessories directory and hence solve my nephews pc  problem.
Roy

Sorry but this sound hazy to me....I tried it when I recreated it, it
was possible there is no way to save this on a folder.
Or I did I miss something.......?

 

[Tim Meddick]

Hazy? Did I read that right - hazy?

I couldn't write down the steps in more detail than that - I really don't think it possible.

If you did what I said to do - step by step - You WILL regain working shortcuts in the 'Accessories' folder on the 'Start Menu'

I cannot explain it more simply than the shortcuts on the 'Start Menu' > Programs > Accessories folder correspond to actual shortcuts in the folder :

"%ALLUSERPROFILE%\Start Menu\programs\Accessories"

just like the 'System Tools' folder on the 'Start Menu' corresponds to the actual shortcuts in the actual folder :

"%ALLUSERPROFILE%\Start Menu\programs\Accessories\System Tools"

if you EVER manage to find the folder named "Start Menu" that IS within your profile's folder, then you will see that the structure of the items on the [Start] button > All Programs DO correspond to the folder structure within :

"%ALLUSERPROFILE%\Start Menu\programs"




Here, for one last-ditch attempt at making you understand this, is MY OWN folder structure, do you see any similarities between this file structure and your 'Start Menu' ???






==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Like I said in my first reply in this thread: You will just have to be
patient and *create* the missing shortcuts yourself - one by one.

Here are the locations (targets) of the link files (shortcuts) that are in
the Accessories folder by default. As I said, recreate them - one by one -
just work your way down the list.
Having made a new folder (if the folder does not exist) called "Accessories"

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories

.......

Accessories Shortcuts
---------------------

LinkName: Address Book.lnk
Target: C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\wab.exe

LinkName: Calculator.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\calc.exe

LinkName: Command Prompt.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe

LinkName: Notepad.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe

LinkName: Paint.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mspaint.exe

LinkName: Remote Desktop Connection.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mstsc.exe

LinkName: Synchronize.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mobsync.exe

LinkName: Tour Windows XP.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\tourstart.exe

LinkName: Windows Explorer.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe

LinkName: WordPad.lnk
Target: C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories\wordpad.exe

....once the shortcuts have been created in the folder named above, they
will then be part of the 'Start Menu' under the folder of the same name
(Accessories).

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.





What I mean in the missing system tools, how can we regain the
Paint, calculator,tour winXp,synchronize, command prompt,
notepad,wordpad...
So, if its already in that folder then I can make a shortcut for the
accessories directory and hence solve my nephews pc problem.
Roy

Sorry but this sound hazy to me....I tried it when I recreated it, it
was possible there is no way to save this on a folder.
Or I did I miss something.......?

 

[Roy]

Hazy?   Did I read that right - hazy?

Sorry but this sound hazy to me....I tried it when I recreated it, it
was possible  there is no way to save this on a folder.
Or I did I miss something.......?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Well as I can't get your system to work well what I did was a
result of sudden inspiration (out of exasperation. probably?)......,
that I had to copy the required things from system 32 folder and
the shortcuts did reappear in the start menu> accessories.....
surprise, surprise,,,at last,,,my nephew was happy with his PC
now....and I did learn something in return.....

Thanks for your time Jose and Tim for all your time....!
Roy

 

[Richard]

Hazy? Did I read that right - hazy?

Hi Tim,

Yes, very puzzling. For me, this whole thread has been a bit like London
Fog. You and I are using Outlook Express, but apparently "Roy" has been
using the Google web-based interface. Note the words "- Show quoted text -"
in some of his replies, which means the web page he was looking at was not
showing everything. In Roy's reply to my 20May2009 message, none of the text
from my message was quoted in his reply, but I eventually found a place in
his reply where he answered a question I had asked, so at some point he saw
the text of my message. Apparently Roy has been going back and forth between
the location of his own PC, where he is accessing this newsgroup, and his
nephew's problem PC, with maybe a printout of information or hand written
notes. (Not the easiest way to troubleshoot computer problems!

Another thing I noticed from your 18May2009 message, and Roy's 31May2009
reply, EXCERPTS ONLY:

Tim> LinkName: Address Book.lnk
Tim> LinkName: Calculator.lnk
Tim> LinkName: Command Prompt.lnk
Tim> LinkName: Notepad.lnk
Tim> LinkName: Paint.lnk
Tim> LinkName: Synchronize.lnk
Tim> LinkName: Tour Windows XP.lnk
Tim> LinkName: Windows Explorer.lnk

Roy> I also checked theAccessoriesshortcuts thanks to Tim Meddick
Roy> LinkName: Calculator.Ink
Roy> LinkName: Command promp
Roy> LinkName: notepad.ink
Roy> LinkNameaint.Ink
Roy> LinkName:\Addressbook.Ink
Roy> Link Name:Synchronize .Ink
Roy> Link Name:Tour Windows XP.Ink
Roy> Link Name:WINDOWS Explorer.Inc

Note that in Roy's (apparently) hand typed copy, (in different order,) the
lower case EL of .LNK was typed as the letter EYE. Some screen fonts use a
simple vertical line for the numeral ONE, the lower case EL, and upper case
EYE, and are easily mistaken. The first time I ever saw the 3 letter
extension for a shortcut, I was puzzled why they used "ink" (writing pen
fluid) instead of "shc or "sct" for a shortcut. It was only later that I
learned that another name for shortcut is LINK, and while looking at a
directory listing in MSDOS, under Windows 95, I noticed that the long
filename "Calculator.lnk" (in the right column) corresponded to the DOS
(8.3) filename "CALCUL~1 LNK" on the left. Live and Learn, of course.

And, for the record, I've learned a lot by reading your messages in this
thread and other newsgroup messages, so here's a big THANK YOU, and...

(Triple-Click here to: Be of good cheer! --Richard

 

[Richard]

First, Roy, since you are using Google Groups to read these newsgroup
messages, make sure you click on any "Show quoted text" links in the web
page message so you don't overlook anything. Your previous reply to me did
not include any of the quoted text from my message. (I don't know why Google
is so sneaky.

Hazy? Did I read that right - hazy?

[snip]

Well as I can't get your system to work well what I did was a
result of sudden inspiration (out of exasperation. probably?)......,
that I had to copy the required things from system 32 folder and
the shortcuts did reappear in the start menu> accessories.....
surprise, surprise,,,at last,,,my nephew was happy with his PC
now....and I did learn something in return.....

Thanks for your time Jose and Tim for all your time....!
Roy

Hi Roy, It looks like you worked out a solution, and it has been a long time
since your first message in this thread back on the 17th of May, and I am
sure you would like to move on to other things, but the way you describe it,
I am not sure just what you did. It sounds like you put copies of whole
programs from the "system32" folder into the "Accessories" folder, rather
than Shortcut Link pointers to the programs. An easy way to put my mind at
rest and confirm what you did is: click on the Start menu, and (All)
Programs, and Accessories, and choose one of the new items, like Calculator,
and right-click Calculator, and at the bottom of the context menu that
appears, click Properties. The dialog that appears should have 3 tabs across
the top: General, Shortcut, and Compatibility. If the 2nd tab says
"Shortcut", you are OK. If it says "Version", things are still not as they
should be, and you need to report your results back here.

If it is a Shortcut, then the Target (for Calculator shortcut) should say:

%SystemRoot%\system32\calc.exe
(The target text in the original shortcut.)

or more likely, it will say:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\calc.exe

If it says something else, please report back what it says.
TIA. (Thanks in advance.)

We are still left with the mystery of why the shortcuts vanished in the
first place, because program installations should only add shortcuts for the
new program, (in the Programs folder, not Accessories,) and should not
remove shortcuts associated with other programs. (Did anyone think to check
your nephew's Recycle Bin for the missing shortcuts?

In messages trying to help you locate the missing Links, 3 different ways to
find the "Accessories" folder were mentioned, (1) Use Windows Explorer (hold
windows-logo key and press E key) to "navigate" to the folder, (2) Use
Start>Run to paste the full folder-path (including the beginning quote
symbol and (3) Use Search Find files, with "Accessories" as the search
term. For future reference there is a faster and more simple way:

Click Start, click (All) Programs, and RIGHT-click the "Accessories" folder
icon, and on the context menu that appears, choose "Open All Users". That
opens the "Accessories" folder in the "All Users" path.

If you had chosen "Open" instead of "Open All Users" on that context menu, a
different "Accessories" folder in the [Your User Name] path will open. That
second version of the folder is where additional shortcuts added by the
Current User are put. The actual Start Menu display combines shortcuts from
both sources.

Another thing to check, while you are in the All Users "Accessories"
folder - on the menu bar, click Tools, and click Folder Options, and on the
dialog that appears, click the View Tab, and in the Advanced Settings area,
see if the "Show hidden files and folders" item is checked. If not, click
it, and click OK. If there are any hidden files in the folder, they would
then be evident as "hazy" icons. If not, repeat steps at beginning of this
paragraph, but click "Do not show hidden files and folders", to switch it
back the way it was.

Some loose ends:

Actually nephew logged on his own users name and there is not conflict
with anybody as he is the administrator of his own PC.
That windows Xp PC software was installed by one of his friend which
is not around anymore but relocated therefore he has no one to ask for
help but me..which unfortunately not really good on this things
either.< grin>

OK, (grin,) I had asked that question because, as you since figured out,
there are different "Accessories" folders. I still have another concern
though. If the username your nephew is using to log onto the computer has
"administrator" privileges, it is not a good idea to access the internet
like that. Here is a quote from the Windows HELP topic about these things:

[begin quote:]
Why you should not run your computer as an administrator.
Running Windows 2000 or Windows XP as an administrator makes the system
vulnerable to Trojan horses and other security risks. The simple act of
visiting an Internet site can be extremely damaging to the system. An
unfamiliar Internet site may have Trojan horse code that can be downloaded
to the system and executed. If you are logged on with administrator
privileges, a Trojan horse could do things like reformat your hard drive,
delete all your files, create a new user account with administrative access,
and so on.

You should add yourself to the Users or Power Users group. When you log on
as a member of the Users group, you can perform routine tasks, including
running programs and visiting Internet sites, without exposing your computer
to unnecessary risk. As a member of the Power Users group, you can perform
routine tasks and you can also install programs, add printers, and use most
Control Panel items. If you need to perform administrative tasks, such as
upgrading the operating system or configuring system parameters, then log
off and log back on as an administrator.
[:end quote]

Another problem that he recognized is if he install a new software ,
it looks for slot in theaccessories or other installed programs
instead of creating its own place. That was likely the reason that
when he installed power DVD in theaccessoriesfolder the shortcuts
just vanished from that directory....

Now he is reluctant to install more of his software being afraid it
might delete more shortcuts in the program files.
Any more ideas how to sort this out also?

Actually, it is not likely that the installation program removed the
shortcuts. Probably, something else happened around the same time. It
"should" be safe to install more software, as long as all installation
instructions are followed. Of course, if the software was downloaded from
the internet, then it should be scanned with one or more up to date
anti-virus/anti-malware programs, before double clicking or otherwise
activating it.

Here's hoping you have fewer problems with future computer adventures.
--Richard

 

[Tim Meddick]

Richard,
Crikey, you know, I think that's what he's gone and done!

He's [Roy] copied the actual programs themselves over to the start menu,

I didn't think for a minute that he didn't actually know what a shortcut
WAS.

It's all about knowing WHEN to ask for help, isn't it? I do try to sort of
predict when someone has missed something and so did try to be as detailed
as possible (quoting the LINK's Targets, like I did), but it just didn't
occur to me that Roy didn't know about shortcuts. I feel so stupid. Me
going on about ".ink" files....what must he have thought.

But, then again how do you misunderstand the statement :

"Here are the locations (targets) of the link files (shortcuts) that are in
the Accessories folder by default....."

....and then I go on to list the TARGETS of the LINKS in 'Accessories'?

Did you say that there was a problem with his seeing something in non-OE
newsreaders? I didn't quite understand what you were saying there. Was that
just concerning the "i" and the "l" as in "Shortcut.lnk"?

He should find out what shortcuts are and how to create them (dot.LNK files)
straight away and, as you say, check that he hasn't copied the .exe files
from the system32 folder into the 'Start Menu',or something.

Most people know about shortcuts but don't know that they have a file
extension like any other. Or that the extension they have is dot.LNK , but
it is superhidden, so I suppose all that about .lnk files was unnecessarily
confusing for him!

I did think, however, that one of my suggestions was to right-click on the
desktop, choose New > Shortcut , and use the list of 'targets' I gave to
paste into the 'Type the location of the item' box. He could then move the
new shortcuts to the Accessories folder.....if I didn't then I should have,
and I'm sorry about that.

Thanks for pointing all this out. I was [probably] just as confused as Roy
was about the answer he gave back, now I understand.

And you words of support are greatly appreciated, thanks again, Richard.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Roy]

Richard,
            Crikey, you know, I think that's what he's gone and done!

He's [Roy] copied the actual programs themselves over to the start menu,

I didn't think for a minute that he didn't actually know what a shortcut
WAS.

It's all about knowing WHEN to ask for help, isn't it?   I do try to sort of
predict when someone has missed something and so did try to be as detailed
as possible (quoting the LINK's Targets, like I did), but it just didn't
occur to me that Roy didn't know about shortcuts.  I feel so stupid.  Me
going on about ".ink" files....what must he have thought.

But, then again how do you misunderstand the statement :

"Here are the locations (targets) of the link files (shortcuts) that are in
the Accessories folder by default....."

...and then I go on to list the TARGETS of the LINKS in 'Accessories'?

Did you say that there was a problem with his seeing something in non-OE
newsreaders? I didn't quite understand what you were saying there.  Wasthat
just concerning the "i" and the "l" as in "Shortcut.lnk"?

He should find out what shortcuts are and how to create them (dot.LNK files)
straight away and, as you say, check that he hasn't copied the .exe files
from the system32 folder into the 'Start Menu',or something.

Most people know about shortcuts but don't know that they have a file
extension like any other.  Or that the extension they have is dot.LNK ,but
it is superhidden, so I suppose all that about .lnk files was unnecessarily
confusing for him!

I did think, however, that one of my suggestions was to right-click on the
desktop, choose New > Shortcut ,  and use the list of 'targets' I gave to
paste into the 'Type the location of the item' box.  He could then movethe
new shortcuts to the Accessories folder.....if I didn't then I should have,
and I'm sorry about that.

Thanks for pointing all this out.  I was [probably] just as confused asRoy
was about the answer he gave back, now I understand.

And you words of support are greatly appreciated, thanks again, Richard.

==

Cheers,    Tim Meddick,    Peckham, London.    

Hi Tim,

Yes, very puzzling. For me, this whole thread has been a bit like London
Fog. You and I are using Outlook Express, but apparently "Roy" has been
using the Google web-based interface. Note the words "- Show quoted
text -"
in some of his replies, which means the web page he was looking at was not
showing everything. In Roy's reply to my 20May2009 message, none of the
text
from my message was quoted in his reply, but I eventually found a placein
his reply where he answered a question I had asked, so at some point he
saw
the text of my message. Apparently Roy has been going back and forth
between
the location of his own PC, where he is accessing this newsgroup, and his
nephew's problem PC, with maybe a printout of information or hand written
notes. (Not the easiest way to troubleshoot computer problems!

Another thing I noticed from your 18May2009 message, and Roy's 31May2009
reply, EXCERPTS ONLY:

Note that in Roy's (apparently) hand typed copy, (in different order,) the
lower case EL of .LNK was typed as the letter EYE. Some screen fonts use a
simple vertical line for the numeral ONE, the lower case EL, and upper
case
EYE, and are easily mistaken. The first time I ever saw the 3 letter
extension for a shortcut, I was puzzled why they used "ink" (writing pen
fluid) instead of "shc or "sct" for a shortcut. It was only later that I
learned that another name for shortcut is LINK, and while looking at a
directory listing in MSDOS, under Windows 95, I noticed that the long
filename "Calculator.lnk" (in the right column) corresponded to the DOS
(8.3) filename "CALCUL~1 LNK" on the left. Live and Learn, of course.

And, for the record, I've learned a lot by reading your messages in this
thread and other newsgroup messages, so here's a big THANK YOU, and...

(Triple-Click here to: Be of good cheer! --Richard - Hide quoted text-

- Show quoted text -

Hello Tim and richard , I just used the points you stated:
Accessories Shortcuts
---------------------


LinkName: Address Book.lnk
Target: C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\wab.exe


LinkName: Calculator.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\calc.exe


LinkName: Command Prompt.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe


LinkName: Notepad.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe


LinkName: Paint.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mspaint.exe


LinkName: Remote Desktop Connection.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mstsc.exe


LinkName: Synchronize.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mobsync.exe


LinkName: Tour Windows XP.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\tourstart.exe


LinkName: Windows Explorer.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe


LinkName: WordPad.lnk
Target: C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories\wordpad.exe


.....once the shortcuts have been created in the folder named above
For example for wordpad, I SEARCHED the word pad exe and I was pointed
tothe system32 files...from there I checked every icon that have some
semblance of the target phrases....and that is how I
recovered...Simple as that...
Using the C:\programs files Windows NT....and so forth did not give
any idea how to make a short cut out of it.
I just want to cut the Gordian knot and arrived at the solution so
that I can rest in peace<grin> ...(pardon the pun), from my nephew's
incessant complaint.........
Trying to follow the circuitous route as provided by the people is not
satisfactory for my taste as it led to confusion, ........
Roy

 

[Jose]

Richard,
            Crikey, you know, I think that's what he's goneand done!

He's [Roy] copied the actual programs themselves over to the start menu,

I didn't think for a minute that he didn't actually know what a shortcut
WAS.

It's all about knowing WHEN to ask for help, isn't it?   I do try to sort of
predict when someone has missed something and so did try to be as detailed
as possible (quoting the LINK's Targets, like I did), but it just didn't
occur to me that Roy didn't know about shortcuts.  I feel so stupid.  Me
going on about ".ink" files....what must he have thought.

But, then again how do you misunderstand the statement :

"Here are the locations (targets) of the link files (shortcuts) that are in
the Accessories folder by default....."

...and then I go on to list the TARGETS of the LINKS in 'Accessories'?

Did you say that there was a problem with his seeing something in non-OE
newsreaders? I didn't quite understand what you were saying there.  Was that
just concerning the "i" and the "l" as in "Shortcut.lnk"?

He should find out what shortcuts are and how to create them (dot.LNK files)
straight away and, as you say, check that he hasn't copied the .exe files
from the system32 folder into the 'Start Menu',or something.

Most people know about shortcuts but don't know that they have a file
extension like any other.  Or that the extension they have is dot.LNK, but
it is superhidden, so I suppose all that about .lnk files was unnecessarily
confusing for him!

I did think, however, that one of my suggestions was to right-click on the
desktop, choose New > Shortcut ,  and use the list of 'targets' I gave to
paste into the 'Type the location of the item' box.  He could then move the
new shortcuts to the Accessories folder.....if I didn't then I should have,
and I'm sorry about that.

Thanks for pointing all this out.  I was [probably] just as confused as Roy
was about the answer he gave back, now I understand.

And you words of support are greatly appreciated, thanks again, Richard..

Cheers,    Tim Meddick,    Peckham, London.    

- Show quoted text -

Hello Tim and richard , I just used the points you stated:
Accessories Shortcuts
---------------------

LinkName: Address Book.lnk
Target: C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\wab.exe

LinkName: Calculator.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\calc.exe

LinkName: Command Prompt.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe

LinkName: Notepad.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe

LinkName: Paint.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mspaint.exe

LinkName: Remote Desktop Connection.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mstsc.exe

LinkName: Synchronize.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mobsync.exe

LinkName: Tour Windows XP.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\system32\tourstart.exe

LinkName: Windows Explorer.lnk
Target: C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe

LinkName: WordPad.lnk
Target: C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Accessories\wordpad.exe

....once the shortcuts have been created in the folder named above
For example for wordpad, I SEARCHED the word pad exe and I was pointed
tothe system32 files...from there I checked every icon that have some
semblance of the target phrases....and that is how I
recovered...Simple as that...
Using the C:\programs files Windows NT....and so forth did not give
any idea how to make a short cut out of it.
I just want to cut the Gordian knot and arrived at the solution so
that I can rest in peace<grin> ...(pardon the pun), from my nephew's
incessant complaint.........
Trying to follow the circuitous route as provided by the people is not
satisfactory for my taste as it led to confusion, ........
Roy

About 2+ weeks ago, I asked for the name of just one shortcut you
think is missing from the Start, Programs, Accessories menu. Did I
miss your answer?

It should take about 5 minutes to fix one missing shortcut and less
than that for the others because you will then know how.

When you go to Start, Programs, Accessories, what do you not see that
you want to see?

If I missed the answer, please post the name of the shortcut you think
is missing.

 

[Tim Meddick]

I think the OP has got it all straightened out now, he's just criticizing
some advice he had been given.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Richard,
Crikey, you know, I think that's what he's gone and done!

He's [Roy] copied the actual programs themselves over to the start menu,

I didn't think for a minute

It should take about 5 minutes to fix one missing shortcut and less
than that for the others because you will then know how.

When you go to Start, Programs, Accessories, what do you not see that
you want to see?

If I missed the answer, please post the name of the shortcut you think
is missing.

 

[Tim Meddick]

Jose,
I think the OP has got it all straightened out now, he's just
criticizing
some advice he had been given.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Richard,
Crikey, you know, I think that's what he's gone and done!

He's [Roy] copied the actual programs themselves over to the start menu,

I didn't think for a minute

It should take about 5 minutes to fix one missing shortcut and less
than that for the others because you will then know how.

When you go to Start, Programs, Accessories, what do you not see that
you want to see?

If I missed the answer, please post the name of the shortcut you think
is missing.

 

[Jose]

Jose,
        I think the OP has got it all straightened out now, he's just
criticizing
some advice he had been given.

==

Cheers,    Tim Meddick,    Peckham, London.    

Richard,
Crikey, you know, I think that's what he's gone and done!
He's [Roy] copied the actual programs themselves over to the start menu,
I didn't think for a minute

It should take about 5 minutes to fix one missing shortcut and less
than that for the others because you will then know how.

When you go to Start, Programs, Accessories, what do you not see that
you want to see?

If I missed the answer, please post the name of the shortcut you think
is missing.

Well, I hope so (the - he has it straightened out part).

It is obnoxious for (what I think is) a simple problem to drag on for
2 weeks. Sometimes, it is because the statement of the problem is
vague and then you end up having to tease the details out as you go
along, or a simple question is asked and does not get answered.

Arrg!