'Start', 'Programs' (Empty)

[Gareth Evans]

Sometimes the contents of my 'Start', 'Programs' menu disapears. If I click
the 'Programs' item the contents says (Empty). If I reboot the machine the
contents reappear.

Another problem I have, most often after rebooting is that my quick launch
bar disappears, each time I have to right click the start bar and re-tick
'Show Quick Lanuch'.

I've only recently re-installed windows xp from a full format. I'd be happy
if someone could help me out.

Thanks in advance
Gareth

 

[Taurarian]

Start Menu - 'All Programs' is empty or nothing happens when you click the menu:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/allprograms.htm

and

http://www.winxptutor.com/wsaremove.htm
Quick Launch settings are not saved; Search Assistant Toolbar in Taskbar

 

[Gareth Evans]

Thanks for the information, but I had already googled those links and my
settings are all correct according to those details.

Gareth

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Gareth,

Follow the suggestions in first link provided by Taurarian. But in addition,
fix the shell folder paths for the following:

Common Start Menu (HKLM)
Common Programs (HKLM)
Start Menu (HKCU)
Programs (HKCU)

Default values for the above are available here:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/usershellfolders.htm