Start-Programs is empty

[Prospector]

The C:\ drive recently was fragmented, and I decided to use the defrag off Win98. I did some reading (somewhere) which said to disable the Start menu by copying in to a temp file, rebooting, then copy the Start folder back after the defrag.

All that was done, but now Start-Programs shows empty! I have the Start folder and Programs folder in the right place, but nothing I've done will get the Programs sub-menu populated.

What needs to be done?

 

[tviman]

I'd say that you have to do some registry work. I'd suggest going to Microsoft's support pages and follow their advice. There's always a better way...

 

[jnicks]

The startup folder does not necessarily have registry involvement. if you plop a PIF in there to deltree /y C:\Windows\tempor* the registry is not involved.

Back to the problem, If you have not taken a backup of the C:\windows, and you have no other copy of the links in the startup folder you are probably lost.

Next time (sorry) backup C:\WINDOWS to a QIC file Most peoples C:\Windows will fid on one CD.

Most Defrag problems are solved by simply rebooting in SAFE mode which eliminates MSTask and MMTask and a bunch of other things that modify the systems area and screw up Defrag.

You'd think MS could cope with that, but they are not up to the problem.

Some of the tasks that stop Windows Defrag from getting its job done are in the registry, in Run, Runonce and RunServices, but they ought not be an issue in SAFE mode.

 

[fenix]

scanreg /restore from a true Dos prompt and bring it back to the state before the defragg.

 

[MiggyD]

Let me see if I understand this.

You opened My Computer/Windows Explorer (one of these).
You clicked on C:
You clicked on WINDOWS
You clicked on Start Menu
You clicked on Programs
You dragged StartUp out of there and placed it in a TEMP folder?
You did a Defrag and rebooted.

Then...

You opened My Computer/Windows Explorer (one of these).
You clicked on C:
You found the TEMP folder that contained StartUp [original]
You dragged StartUp out of there and placed it in C:>Windows>Start Menu>Programs folder?

and you lost your StartUp links?

Did you use Windows Explorer to look in the TEMP folder to make sure it is NOT empty? Also, have you confirmed that you did not accidently dropped it in the Start Menu folder--click on START and look to see if there is a StartUP folder above the 'Programs' button.

--MiggyD

 

[jnicks]

Good post. MiggyD.

Prospector, if the files, the things in startup are just files, are still on the drive, can you remember the name of one?

Are the files in the Recycle Bin? They would likely be PIF or LNK files.

Be sure that Explorer is not hiding EXTs, under Explorer -> View -> Folder Options -> View

If not in the recycle bin, perhaps it is elsewhere on your drive. Open Windows Explorer and Look for *.PIF,*.LNK which is what a lot of Startup folder items are.

Open Explorer ->Tools ->Find ->files or folders.

In the 'Named area type in
*.PIF,*.LNK
no spaces, just *.PIF,*.LNK

In the Look In field make it C: or all hard drives.

Search.

You will see a lot of files in C:\WINDOWS, and we are not interested in them, unless of course one of them is the same as the one you moved.

If you find some PIF or LNK files elsewhere, try to recall if they were the same as the ones that are lost.

If so, you can move them back and see what happens.

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

On the dark side, you might want to test something.

Some systems are setup to delete everything in Temp folders at boot.

If possible, copy (don't move) a file, any file, into the temp area where you stored the Startup folder.

Check to see that the original is still in the original folder.

Reboot.

Use Windows Explorer to check the temp area and see if the file we copied there is gone.

If it is gone, that may be what happened to your files.

 

[MiggyD]

Actually, that's a good point jnicks. Some disk maintenance programs do delete things in Temps as room shrinks on the HD.

Check to see if START>PROGRAMS>APPLICATIONS>SYSTEM TOOLS>DISK CLEANUP is (or is not) setup that way.

[or am I in the wrong OS?]

--MiggyD

 

[fenix]

In retrospect if I can add another 2 cents, I think this whole things started because of misinterpreting what was suggested to do before running a defrag.

It must have said delete items from START UP, (Windows\programs\startUP), or from msconfig start up (run/msconfig/startup). I can't see why it would say copy the start folders somewhere, I can't think of how this would affect a defragg.

I have heard it suggested to do a defrag from safe mode so minimal things are running, but I usually just get rid of all the things running in the background that accomplishes just about the same think except for the color and resolution.

anyone agree on the start menu not having anything to do with interferring with a defrag process ?? thx

 

[MiggyD]

fenix:

You are most likely correct. It was probably misinterpreted. It probably said to make sure that there are no other programs that will start up while defrag is running (like screen saver, auto virus scanner, etc).

But that doesn't matter at the moment. The issue is trying to help Prospector recall (if possible) where the files are (if they haven't been deleted already--see previous post above).

Prospector:
You are no longer on the mail notification list...did you resolve the problem?

--MiggyD

 

[jnicks]

Hey, MiggyD,

Just for myown info,

Rebooting to SAFE mode is a far easier way to avoid start folder, services loaded, auto run Defrag conflicts, is it not???

Thanks

J

 

[MiggyD]

Yes, as far as I know it is the easiest way to disable the StartUp folder's programs. But, on the other hand it is also limiting especially when you're used to 8x600 screen and now you're looking at standard VGA mode...yuck!

Another option is copying MSConfig and porting it to 98 (haven't heard if it works with 95 or not). That way you can specify which items are loaded or not.

--MiggyD

 

[fenix]

MiggyD, this might sound funny, but I avoid safe mode because it messes up all my icons. I have my Desktop 'loaded' with shortcuts, and have logical groupings depending on functions. There doesn't seem to be any way to avoid not having them all scattered about when you come out of safe mode. Do you know of any way to avoid this ?

And yes, the object is to restore his functionality, but I mentioned the start menu idea to see if this was something that I wasn't familiar with.

btw, as I posted in this thread near the beginning, I would still think that scanreg /restore would have put everything back where they came from, would it not ?


Scanreg /restore has saved me more than once when I made a few mistakes, etc.

Another question for MiggyD, if you have the time and it's not too involved, would you mind writing out the steps that one would take to copy msconfig and port it 98 as you mentioned? This sounds very interesting, but is beyond my present skill level. I'm just learning about ports as they relate to networking. thx

One last side note, the steps that you wrote out trying to verify Prospectors' actions were listing Start UP menu, whereas he mentioned the Start menu. That's why I was questioning if he meant start up, or start. As we all know, the start menu just includes all your programs that 'reside in' the start button. I use the shortcut: right click the start button and select explore, then expand programs and select StartUP to check what's in there.

good thread even if the orig poster doesn't respond.

 

[MiggyD]

To fenix:

1) Read the post on thread615-252013, it says that MsConfig.exe started with 98 (I personally don't recall till I got my ME). To initiate it:

START
RUN
(type) msconfig
(button) OK .

2) As for porting onto a 95 or better, copy it from your 98. On my ME it is located in C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM. If it is not there:

START
SEARCH
FILE & Folders
(type in FILES TO FINE) MSCONFIG.EXE
(checkmark on 'search sub folders')
(confirm root of drive where WINDOWS is)
(button) SEARCH NOW .

3) "As we all know, the start menu just includes all your programs that 'reside in' the start button." No, not everyone knows. Although these forums are mostly for technically minded people (specifically in the computer industry), these forums get visited by "computerly challenged" people. Sometimes, the problem may be fixable by them and sometimes there's just no solution. In any case, by posting their problem here everyone can read it and offer suggestions and others with similar problems can learn from it as well.

I hope that thread listed above gives you some insight. Enjoy.

--MiggyD

PS: Everyone, please do not take offence to "computerly challenged" , I just DID NOT want to say "computer illiterate" because if you are reading this then you obviously know something about the computer, other than 'What is THAT?' or the fact that 'it sits pretty in that corner of the room, so I bought it.'

 

[jnicks]

Yes, Fenix, you ae right about SAFE mode trashing the dektop.

I prefer rebooting to DOS to run ScanDisk/Defrag rather than trashing the desktop. on that point...


Does anyone know if desktop positioning for an icon is maintained in the LNK/PIF file, or in the Registry, or icon cache, . . .?

It would be nice to copy something and put it back and have the icons restored to their previous positions, then we actually could use SAFE mode without cursing the gross incompetence of the Chief Technical Officer.

 

[jnicks]

Say, Fenix, here's what worked once...

I made a new user called SAFE, and set the screen size for SAFE to 640x480.

Reboot to SAFE Mode, the screen is sdrewed up as usual n SAFE mode.

Reboot and select my usual user name and Lo, the screen is 800x600 the icons are in place as usual.

Hunh, I never thought of that before. Seems to wrok (seems to work, even).



j

 

[Marcs41]

Desktop positioning is kept in a desktop.ini file.
Press F5 on the desktop to force a save and keep the file somewhere safe.

 

[wa2dgi]

Hi,all!
How does one return the Run & Search command to the Start menu? Any help most appreciated! I'm using 2000 Pro. I've upgraded from ME.
Thanks!
gtooke

 

[Marcs41]

Please make a new post for this, this is an old thread.
And post it in the 2000 Pro Forum ! If the solution is here, let us know it was helpful so others can benefit from it as too