Disappearing programs

[Guest]

I can't say exactly when this happened, but noticed when I went to use the
calculator that it is missing from the All Programs List. Then I discovered
the Games Folder is empty, and MSPaint is also missing! I haven't had
occasion to use any of these lately, so hadn't really noticed until now. This
is VERY strange. Any suggestions as to cause? Could install of SP2 have
anything to do with it? I have, lately, set up a configuration (locally)
using admin and user accounts--programs appear in neither. Could that be the
cause? I'm not even sure what else might be missing, though most everything
else appears to be here. I'm reluctant to use restore after having installed
other programs and updates, and after setting up accounts.

I searched for the missing programs and they ARE here. The best I could do
was make shortcuts from .exe's and paste them to All Programs List, but only
some games work, not all. Thanks for any help.

 

[Nepatsfan]

I can't say exactly when this happened, but noticed when I
went to use the calculator that it is missing from the All
Programs List. Then I discovered the Games Folder is empty,
and MSPaint is also missing! I haven't had occasion to use
any of these lately, so hadn't really noticed until now.
This is VERY strange. Any suggestions as to cause? Could
install of SP2 have anything to do with it? I have, lately,
set up a configuration (locally) using admin and user
accounts--programs appear in neither. Could that be the
cause? I'm not even sure what else might be missing, though
most everything else appears to be here. I'm reluctant to
use restore after having installed other programs and
updates, and after setting up accounts.

I searched for the missing programs and they ARE here. The
best I could do was make shortcuts from .exe's and paste
them to All Programs List, but only some games work, not
all. Thanks for any help.

You may want to try reinstalling the missing items. Take a look
at these articles for more info:

How To Add or Remove a Windows Component in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307894

How To Add Components and Programs to a Computer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;305548&sd=tech

How To Add or Remove Games in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307768&sd=tech

Good luck

Nepatsfan