lost files and programs

[arkay]

Hi,
I was just browsing and I noticed a couple of things missing on my start
list. I started checking and quite a few of my items in my all programs page
were empty. I also noticed that my list of windows programs at the beginning
of my all program page was missing. I couldn't find my accessories list
either. I tried my System Restore and that didn't work. It said there was
no change to my computer.
I am using WindowsXP SP3.
I have Avira Antivir antivirus and Zone Alarm so I am pretty sure I don't
have a virus.
I sure could use some help with this.
Thank you.
--

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Hi,
I was just browsing and I noticed a couple of things missing on my start
list. I started checking and quite a few of my items in my all programs
page
were empty. I also noticed that my list of windows programs at the
beginning
of my all program page was missing. I couldn't find my accessories list
either. I tried my System Restore and that didn't work. It said there
was
no change to my computer.
I am using WindowsXP SP3.
I have Avira Antivir antivirus and Zone Alarm so I am pretty sure I don't
have a virus.
I sure could use some help with this.
Thank you.
--

I have recently been recovering a system that showed a similar symptom. It
is a laptop that had pitched off a table to a concrete floor, causing drive
damage. While I've gotten it to restart with the original drive, none of
the installed programs will ever be available.

So, I'd suggest that the first question would be, what is the state of your
backups?

Incidentally, as to antivirus etc., I've also recently seen rootkits and
related trojans that have walked right by a variety of protection utilities.
I was able to remove these with Malwarebytes, but had to rename both the
installer and the executable to do so.

If you detected such items, you would have to delete the restore points -
they are one of the first things infected.

HTH
-pk

 

[db]

there could be a couple of reasons
for the issue.

for example, you may be logged into
a guest account

or the files and programs have become
un-indexed.

try a system restore point and revert
your system back to a functional date.



--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[arkay]

--
Ron Kolby

there could be a couple of reasons
for the issue.

for example, you may be logged into
a guest account

or the files and programs have become
un-indexed.

try a system restore point and revert
your system back to a functional date.



--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi Db,
I don't know if this is possible but you have me thinking. My accounts use
to be Administrator, Ron Kolby and guest user(shut off) but now I look at my
accounts and it shows Ron Kolby, Computer Administrator with a guest user
that is shut off.
If this is possible everything I was doing in my name is missing or what was
under Computer Administrator is missing. Please let me know if I am crazy or
not.
Thank you.

 

[db]

you're not going crazy but such issues
can drive people "nutz"

-------------------

one possibility for the issue you have
may be that encryption is enabled on
the drive.

if it was enabled under the admin account,
then anything created or installed
would be unseen by the other users and
vice versa.

so the issue may stem from the lack of
access to an admin account.

-------------------

also, if I recall you might be able to use /
run the command below to ascertain
additional info on user accounts:

CONTROL USERPASSWORDS2


--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[michael]

I lost files also....the message said file not found....did you find a way to
restore them.

 

[db]

sometimes when files are not found
it is due to it/them not being indexed
in the master file table.

chkdsk will re-index the files "if" it/them
are not corrupted.



--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[arkay]

--
Ron Kolby

sometimes when files are not found
it is due to it/them not being indexed
in the master file table.

chkdsk will re-index the files "if" it/them
are not corrupted.



--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Hi db,

I don't want to give away my lack of knowledge but can you please give me a
hint or two what chkdsk is? I think I know but I would rather be sure. Your
ideas are great as they make me think a lot.

 

[db]

there are a couple of way to
run chkdsk.

I think the best way is to run
it when windows is not loaded.

to do the above boot up with
any windows xp cd.

then select "repair" from the
first screen setup provides.

the repair will launch the
recovery console which will
enable you to log into the
disk system.

then at the disk prompt
run the command>:

chkdsk /p

then "exit", remove cd and
boot into windows normally.

---------------------

if the files you cannot find were
not indexed "but" still on the disk,

then they should know be seen
because you updated the master
file table with the chkdsk (check
disk).

if however, the files are still not
found, then either

they are lost in the myriad of
folders on your disk

"or"

they have been zapped by your anti
virus

"or"

they have been inadvertently deleted.

--------------------

keep us apprised of your status.

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[arkay]

--
Ron Kolby

there are a couple of way to
run chkdsk.

I think the best way is to run
it when windows is not loaded.

to do the above boot up with
any windows xp cd.

then select "repair" from the
first screen setup provides.

the repair will launch the
recovery console which will
enable you to log into the
disk system.

then at the disk prompt
run the command>:

chkdsk /p

then "exit", remove cd and
boot into windows normally.

---------------------

if the files you cannot find were
not indexed "but" still on the disk,

then they should know be seen
because you updated the master
file table with the chkdsk (check
disk).

if however, the files are still not
found, then either

they are lost in the myriad of
folders on your disk

"or"

they have been zapped by your anti
virus

"or"

they have been inadvertently deleted.

--------------------

keep us apprised of your status.

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi db,
I did as you suggested and the end result is: There are one or more errors
in the volume. At first I thought I was going to have to tell you it
wouldn't work but then I noticed there was a space between the k and the /p.
Makes a whole lot of difference. Anyways a lot of the files still show empty
on my programs menu.
Was there something else I was suppose to do with the chkdsk/p?
Is this same the reason I can't find my system tools?
Is it related that I can't do a system restore?
If I am asking to much of you let me know because I can get carried away
when I find someone that is very knowlegdeable to pick there brain.

 

[db]

not sure.

what you can do is to boot in
safe mode and see if your system
restore shows up as well as your
system tools.

to start safe mode, reboot and
hold down the f8 key and test
and review

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[arkay]

--
Ron Kolby

not sure.

what you can do is to boot in
safe mode and see if your system
restore shows up as well as your
system tools.

to start safe mode, reboot and
hold down the f8 key and test
and review

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Hi db,

I went into the 'safe mode' and checked for my system tools and found
nothing. I found where I saw the two users, one being the Administrator and
the other being Ron Kolby, the Computer Administrator, it was in the 'safe
mode'. Very interesting.
As I was messing around in the 'safe mode' I ended up in the program files
and guess what I found. All the files that are showing empty in my all
program menu.
Now, how do I get them back where they belong besides the program files? It
would be nice to know how they got there and removed from the menu. I don't
think it will help with my system restore because that has been out for quite
awhile and I don't think it will fhelp with my printer not connecting but hey
I will take what I can.
As Always,

 

[db]

glad you solved it.

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[arkay]

--
Ron Kolby

glad you solved it.

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Hi db,

I want to thank you for all the help and knowledge you gave me. I could not
have done this without your help.
There was a part of my last message you may have missed or ignored. :~) It
was this:
Now, how do I get them back where they belong besides in my program files? It

would be nice to know how they got there and removed from the menu. I don't
think it will help with my system restore because that has been out for quite
awhile and I don't think it will fhelp with my printer not connecting but hey
I will take what I can.

If you could help me with this I will be in fairly good shape.
I am going to enter a new post on my other computer so if you see my name
please feel free to look it over.
Thank you and God bless.
As Always,

 

[db]

well if I am interpreting the situation,
a profile is missing the program files
that the other has.

therefore, try the following:

you can try right clicking on the start
button and select explore.

the explorer will open up the to
profiles.

simply copy the listing of programs
from one profile into the other that
is empty.

be sure to copy and paste the same
hierarchy to ensure there is consistency
between profiles.

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[arkay]

--
Ron Kolby

well if I am interpreting the situation,
a profile is missing the program files
that the other has.

therefore, try the following:

you can try right clicking on the start
button and select explore.

the explorer will open up the to
profiles.

simply copy the listing of programs
from one profile into the other that
is empty.

be sure to copy and paste the same
hierarchy to ensure there is consistency
between profiles.

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi db,
I feel good. I thought that's what I would have to do and hearing it from
you feels good. I do hope to converse with you in the future.
Again thank you very much.

 

[db]

you're welcome.

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[arkay]

Hi again,
I thought I would be able to do the part about right clicking start and then
selecting explore. That part was okay but then I wasn't sure by the profile
thing but I think it was the administrator and all users but the listing I
saw couldn't simply be copied from the one profile to the one that is empty.
Would you be able to send me a detailed description how to do this or tell
me where there is a description how to do it? I would be most appreciatve of
it. I have everything ready do ftp and start making a bit of money and I
can;t get anything going because of my Firefox and Internet Explorer are out
of place. They are part of the programs that are not in both files. I am
afraid if I go ahead on my own I will mess the whole thing up beyond repair.
As Always,

 

[db]

let's review the problem in
further detail via email,

since I am not always logged
into the nntp.

--------------
databaseben - hotmail - com

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[arkay]

--
Ron Kolby

let's review the problem in
further detail via email,

since I am not always logged
into the nntp.

--------------
databaseben - hotmail - com

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[/QUOTE]

Hi again,
I thought I would be able to do the part about right clicking start and
then
selecting explore. That part was okay but then I wasn't sure by the
profile
thing but I think it was the administrator and all users but the listing
I
saw couldn't simply be copied from the one profile to the one that is
empty.
Would you be able to send me a detailed description how to do this or tell
me where there is a description how to do it? I would be most appreciatve
of
it. I have everything ready do ftp and start making a bit of money and I
can;t get anything going because of my Firefox and Internet Explorer are
out
of place. They are part of the programs that are not in both files. I am
afraid if I go ahead on my own I will mess the whole thing up beyond
repair.
As Always,

[/QUOTE]