XP-Specified Path does Not Exist

[Geoff Davis]

I have a an XP Pro Client Connected to a Network running a SBS 2003
Server.

The Client PC is set up for two users to logon.

1)Fred Smith (Adminstrator priveleges)
2)Administrator

When logged on as Fred Smith any attempt to run an EXE results in a
'Specified Path Does not exist' error message. This can be from Start
Menu, Programs or even double clicking the Exe in explorer.

When logged on as Administrator there are no problems.

Even <Run><Regedit> gives the same message.

I have searched the Google Groups and Microsoft KB and tried the
various suggestions but to no avail. I have scanned with an up to
date Virus Software (Norton) so I'm sure its not a Virus.

I've tried restoring back to a known 'good' point but it made no
difference.

Can anyone suggest what else I can look at?

regards

Geoff Davis

 

[Phil]

Sounds like the user account has become corrupt. Try making a new user and
if it works fine, then delete the old user.

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have a an XP Pro Client Connected to a Network running a SBS 2003
Server.

The Client PC is set up for two users to logon.

1)Fred Smith (Adminstrator priveleges)
2)Administrator

When logged on as Fred Smith any attempt to run an EXE results in a
'Specified Path Does not exist' error message. This can be from Start
Menu, Programs or even double clicking the Exe in explorer.

When logged on as Administrator there are no problems.

Even <Run><Regedit> gives the same message.

Rename regedit.exe to regedit.com which should allow you to run it.

Look in
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Explorer\FileExts
and see it it has acquired a .EXE subkey - if so, delete it.

This must relate to something specific to the user profile, rather than
general file extensions, and this is the only thing there which occurs
to me.

Then go to http://www.dougknox.com/xp/xp_fixes.html
and get the File Association fixes, near the bottom on the left