All programs missing from menu

[MSNews]

I have a pc running windows2k that has some strange issues. It is missing
most of the installed programs from the start menu even though they are on
the computer. It is also missing paint which I thought was part of
windows. Any ideas?

regards

cr

 

[Stanley Jones [MSFT]]

There could be a large number of problems causing this and more info on the
problem would be good but, try going to Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs.
Check what is listed there as actually being installed versus what you see
in the Start Menu. Also go to C:\Program Files\ and verify that there are
files and/or folders what you think you should see. There may be an Internet
Explorer folder for example. If there are inconsistencies between these 3
locations, you may want to try installing stuff again, this time making sure
that you point to the Install directory to C:\Program Files\[software name
here] and request that it be added to the Start Menu during the setup
process. If you want to add standard Windows stuff like Paint: Click
"Add/Remove Windows Components" in the Add/Remove Programs menu and go thru
and select what you want. Have the Install CD or network path handy when you
do this part.