Unable to Access-Start Menu Programs

[Guest]

I have Windows XP Home (sp2) on an Acer Aspire Laptop. Programs are not
listed via the start menu/programs menu. The programs menu seems to be
disabled and does not show ANY programs.

 

[Malke]

I have Windows XP Home (sp2) on an Acer Aspire Laptop. Programs are
not listed via the start menu/programs menu. The programs menu seems
to be disabled and does not show ANY programs.

What changed between the time things worked and the time they didn't?
What is the virus/malware status of the computer? If you think the
computer is clean, how did you determine this (names/versions of
programs and whether your av subscription is current)?

Malke

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the answer, This is a friends laptop so I cannot answer your first
question however reference the AV situation Norton Subscription has expired I
have not as yet scanned for malware or viruses.

 

[Malke]

Thanks for the answer, This is a friends laptop so I cannot answer
your first question however reference the AV situation Norton
Subscription has expired I have not as yet scanned for malware or

Go through the following virus/malware removal steps systematically.
Since your friend allowed his NAV to expire, start by scanning with
either Sysclean (instructions at first link below) or Dave Lipman's
Multi-AV. After your initial scan with either of these first-line
tools, with the laptop disconnected from the Internet and any lans
uninstall the old NAV. Install a full-featured av and apply updates. Do
a thorough scan in Safe Mode with it. Then go through the rest of the
malware removal steps at the first link below.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm - Dave Lipman's Multi-AV

It can be difficult to clean a badly infested machine. Depending on your
skill level (and please be honest with yourself here), it might be a
better choice for your friend to take his laptop to a professional
computer repair shop (not your local version of BigStoreUSA).

Malke

 

[Guest]

Thanks will try now...

Go through the following virus/malware removal steps systematically.
Since your friend allowed his NAV to expire, start by scanning with
either Sysclean (instructions at first link below) or Dave Lipman's
Multi-AV. After your initial scan with either of these first-line
tools, with the laptop disconnected from the Internet and any lans
uninstall the old NAV. Install a full-featured av and apply updates. Do
a thorough scan in Safe Mode with it. Then go through the rest of the
malware removal steps at the first link below.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://www.ik-cs.com/multi-av.htm - Dave Lipman's Multi-AV

It can be difficult to clean a badly infested machine. Depending on your
skill level (and please be honest with yourself here), it might be a
better choice for your friend to take his laptop to a professional
computer repair shop (not your local version of BigStoreUSA).

Malke
--
MS-MVP Windows User/Shell
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic"

 

[Guest]

Done, Thanks I sorted the problem. Th av hadnt expired it just needed
activating, however it may have been the 'long way round' but what I did was
create a new account and used the file settings tranfer wizard to import the
files and settings. Worked like a dream now I can access All Programs via the
start menu.