Error Message

[Ziov]

I am constantly getting this error message:

Cannot find the file '(null)' (or oen of its components). Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available.

This happens when I start up certain programs, or execute certain executables. It in no way affects the programs, they still run just fine. Its just REALLY REALLY annoying because i have to click OK before I can do anything else. This also comes up when my computer is starting up. And it stops my computer from starting up all the way till I click ok. How can i fix this???

 

[beerhunter2]

Is this the exact error message (brackets and quotes included)?

 

[Ziov]

Yes 100% exact....except I misspelled one....



Cannot find the file '(null)' (or one of its components). Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available.

That is the EXACT messsage. 100% duplication.

 

[Mekkins]

Ziov, what is your operating system and what programs cause the error?

 

[Ziov]

Oh, heh, operating system would be nice huh? Sorry.

Windows 2000 Pro. I happens with a variety of programs.

MSN Messenger 5.0
Microsoft Office 2000
It happens when I go to Run>Regedt32.exe
It happens when I go to Run>notepad
It happens when I go to Run>dxdiag

It happens during startup when the splash screen for my Audigy Gamer comes up.

Thats All I can think of right now.

Sorry for the lack of info at first.

 

[Mekkins]

That's OK. It is the Win2k Pro forum after all. But you never know. First off, I would check Run entries in the Registry:

HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

See if any of the Run values have null entries ("&quot. If so, delete the ones that do. Check both the Local Machine and Current User root keys for such values. Also see what's running in your Startup folders that might be causing any problems (both your own and the one under All Users.)

If you see no problems in either of these places, log on as someone else and see if the problem still persists. If the problem only occurs when you're logged on, your profile may be corrupt. Save a copy of your profile somewhere else on the hard drive, log in as someone else, and delete your profile. Then log back in and, if everything works well, copy whatever needs to be copied from your backup profile (favorites, desktop, my documents.) Wouldn't hurt to run your anti-virus before deleting your profile. You never know.

Hope this helps. Mekkins

 

[beerhunter2]

I would think this has to do with a program or device that loads up when windows is starting up.

Has this error always occured? Did it start to occur after you installed an application or device (ie. Audigy Gamer)?

 

[Ziov]

Ok, so I went to that part of the registry, and I didnt find anythign that said Null, or anything that had "" around it or '' around it. So I dont think thats it.

Some other info that might be useful, I have reformated 3 or 4 times since this problem started. I have had the same problem with the same programs. So it couldnt be a corrupt profile.

Also, yes it started after I would install this software. But usually, not right away. Usually it would take a couple restarts and shut downs before it started. Right now this is a pretty clean format, I reformatted maybe 1 or 2 weeks ago. And this has started probably 5 days ago.

Anything else I am missing??

 

[Mekkins]

It starts acting up after you install the Audigy Gamer software? Hmmm. Might want to check their website for an update. Also, you should re-install any W2K service pack you have loaded after installation. Try uninstalling Audigy Gamer and see if the problem goes away. If it does, download service pack 3 for W2k from Microsoft's site, check Audigy's website for updated software, install it, then re-install SP3.

 

[beerhunter2]

Is there a file called Null on your hard drive? If there is, has that subdirectory (folder) in the search path?

Is there a particular game you started playing about 5 days ago that might be the cause?

 

[Mekkins]

Ziov, here is a link to a driver update for the Audigy Gamer:

http://www.americas.creative.com/support/files/download2.asp?centric=205&maincat=11&os=9&subcat=35

There are also some updates for particular application. Try it out and see what happens. Also, like I said, re-install the Windows service pack afterwards. They say you should re-install it after any new hardware is installed, but I've only had network cards really whine about it

 

[Ziov]

Mkay, I will try the update, and I have the whole service pack on CD - im on dial up, so downloading services packs is not good..... But I dunno if that will work, because I have tried that with MSN Messenger 5.0 bout 4 times now, and the error message always comes back, so I will try that and get back to you.

 

[John Lewis]

Something has messed with your command shell, I think.

Start up in safe mode. Run regedit and go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command

Should be "%1" %* including the ". Sounds like something may have put a 'null' in there somewhere.

Gotta put in my disclaimer -- Editing registry == bad. After you do this, your computer will smoke for about three minutes then disappear in a phenomenon know as 'spontaneous combustion'. Just so you know.

 

[Ziov]

I went to that string, and this is what it said

"%1" %*

so im guessing that is ok....

 

[John Lewis]

Yep . . . You would be correct, that is fine.

If it were my machine, I would probably search the registry for a key with "null" in it somewhere. There are several other keys that can do weird stuff to your shell, that's just the worst offender -- several viruses like to play with it.

If you do search, you will find "null" in several places. Most are OK, but I would watch for something similar to the format of the key I mentioned earlier.

 

[Ziov]

Ok, I downloaded the driver update for my Audigy Gamer, and I install that....then i restarted....then I applied the service pack 3 again. I am still getting the error messages with the same programs, just like before.

I also did a search through my registry for null, and i found maybe 4 of them, and they all looked like they belonged....so I didnt touch them...

Anything else?

 

[Mekkins]

Ziov, I noticed another posting you had concerning file sharing and saw a reply in which someone suggested a "null session share" -- is this the same machine? I confess I am ignorant of null shares, but I'm wondering if there is a connection. Perhaps you deleted the directory without unsharing it first and something is hung in the registry. I don't think W2k would allow you to delete a folder without unsharing it first, but who knows.

Not being able to look at the machine personally, the only thing I can suggest is to start again from scratch. Reload Windows 2000, make sure no hardware is conflicting and you're getting no errors. Then start reloading software. Reboot after each program is loaded (whether it requires it or not) and see if you can pinpoint which program is causing the error. I would also suggest that you load your anti-virus software last. Some software asks you to shutoff anti-virus software before you load it but, if you're like me, you often don't read everything on the screen when loading software. It's possible you loaded a program and your anti-virus software flubbed the installation.

Wish I could be of more help. Mekkins

 

[Ziov]

Well, here is the thing. Since this has first started to happen, I have formatted 3 times. I may do it again here soon. As for the null sharing, that has nothing to do with it. I just recently started to do that (3 days ago), and this has been going on for weeks. You are right, I dont read most of whats commin up when im installing, but if my memory is correct, I think I did install it last.....

You are help, I mean, at least your trying, and I really appreciate that. Thank you.