Windows can't find 1

[jlockley]

just about anything. When I click on a file I get the error message that "windows can't find <>" then something to the effect of : Make sure you have the right directory. Of course I do have the right directory, since I clicked on it.

MS Support indicates that this is a problem with MS office, but these files can be anything from jpg.s to zip files. It is generally possible to open the files from within programs, however.

 

[linney]

Tips for finding files

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/73106209-6df0-432a-8cb7-df5d8ce02ec61033.mspx

The Syntax and methods mentioned here may help as they are virtuall the same. Basically you use Quotes around the text and either serach in the specific folder or use the Advanced Search as best you can, perhaps by putting the quotes in the "named" box?

Desktop Search Help
Advanced query reference

http://beta.search.msn.com/docs/toolbarts.aspx?t=MSNTbar_PROC_CompleteSearchSyntax.htm#A

Look at the Start Menu/ Properties/ Customize, make sure your options for Search are correct. There are several check boxes.

Making files visible via Folder Options by showing both Hidden and System files may help.



Extract Data From Text File
thread779-1469539

Or you could install Agent Ransack.
search with wildcards
thread1583-1412745

 

[linney]

Sorry, I have posted the above in the wrong thread of yours I meant for it to go in "String search doesn't work:"
thread1583-1482086 although the threads do sound a bit similar.

What do you mean by "When I click on a file I get the error message", in what circumstances are you clicking on the file and for what reason are you hoping Windows will find something?

 

[smah]

Are these files on a network share? Or does this happen with files on the local hard drive?

 

[jlockley]

This isn't about the search function, which is why I posted two posts. I can find the files. the OS isn't recognizing them.

Windows flashes an error when I attempt to open a file on the desktop or on a USB drive, card, whatever by double clicking. It is generally possible, however, to open the file from within its designated program. (Let's say a Paradox file: Double clicking the form would elicit the error. Opening the program, clicking open and navigating to the desired file would probably work). Or for a recent example, clicking on a prc file to install on Palm caused a "windows dannot find yada yada" message. Opening the install application and adding the program from withing caused no problems.

None the less, thanks for the search tips. Agent Ransack may be an idea. but not for this issue.

It also takes a lot of time and is annoying.

One of the first things I did with the new OS was to set file and folder options to show all and list extensions.

I am concerned because this is an off the shelf desktop (the first and last) without a system disk. I do have an upgrade to Ultimate in a drawer (this is home premium) I am reluctant to mess with it while I have to.

 

[linney]

I am not familiar with Palm, so this may be rubbish, but what are they talking about here?

Installing Palm applications (.prc and .pdb) under Windows Vista

http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cach...=43851+vista+palm+prc+file&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1

 

[jlockley]

That.s the message, but it's not just Palm. I did download and install the Vista compatible program and that works. Palm, however, was just one example.

That would suggest, however, that this is essentially a Vista compatibility issue.

 

[linney]

In the last part of your original post you mention "these files can be anything from jpg.s to zip files". Can you clarify if you are meaning that Windows is unable to open Zip or Jpg files. If so is this a problem that can be fixed via "Default Programs" in the Control Panel?

 

[jlockley]

This happened with graphics(which are set to default to a windows component..Paint, I think) and with Zip, for which I have not set a program, assuming Windows does it itself now (Although I have one). The point is that it happens with a lot of file types including html (set for Mozilla).

It does not <i>always</a> happen, which has me confounded.

Possibly related is the fact that Word apparently did not register correctly on installation, so that, among other things, the "open as" option does not show it as an option, nor is it shown in the add/delete program options. (I intend to reinstall it over the original installations).

None of this is world stopping, but I have the growing suspicion that there is something funky going on with the unit.

 

[linney]

4 things to consider here, after them we may be down to a clean install, I hope not?


Associations.

323526 - HOW TO: Use the ASSOC Command to Display and Modify File Name Extension Associations in Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;323526&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

184082 - How to Use the Assoc Command to Change File Associations

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;184082&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

And another.

Easy File Associations for Windows XP

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_easy_file.htm

Registering Compressed Folder Dll.

XP won't open or create ZIP files.
thread779-883004: XP won't open or create ZIP files.



Corrupt Profile.

811151 - How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151

SFC / Scannow.

You could try the System File Checker program.

How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program generates in Windows Vista

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228

 

[jlockley]

I have already checked the associations, and it is vista, so I don't know if the compressed folder .dll registration will work or not.

SRC.exe is interesting, and I will run it as soon as I am at the desk. (Actually playing with it on My XP machine as we speak)

The challenge (and what is freaking me out, frankly) is that I do not have the CD for a fresh install. This is an off the shelf ACER (very good price, but not worth it - never, ever again will I buy a branded box) which I realized on unpacking comes without a cd. Nor can I shove in a disk to do a repair, which has worked for me so often with 2k.

Fortunately, I do have a full upgrade on the shelf to Ultimate. I will not be able to fiddle with that for a couple of weeks, but it may come down to seeing if I can do a fresh install with that and the serial number from the oem on the machine. This is another topic, and I will address it when the (Shudder) time comes. I don't expect it to be easy.

Really, I may just decide to get a new board and backtrack to XP oem if things get funkier. I really appreciate and enjoy your input. Thanks.

 

[linney]

Have you checked the Acer site for your machine specifications (or any manual). Are there hidden Recovery Partitions, which are accessed via some F Key, or are there procedures for creating a Recovery CD from software already installed by Acer? Contacting the OEM at least should answer those type of questions, and maybe result in a replacement (or in your case, an original) Recovery CD.

Yes, many links reference XP workarounds, but they are still worth trying in my opinion. You know that a person familiar with say Windows 95 would recognize many of Vista's System32 .dll files even today. Same story with many Microsoft MSKB articles written in the "Stone Age". If you are like me, you try anything and everything to fix a problem.

I thank you for your kind comments. I also agree with your comments about buying a machine "off the shelf", I much prefer to have one made up to my specifications and supply my own install setup media and software.

 

[jlockley]

I have checked with Acer before and found nothing after much searching. There is, however, a way to create a recovery cd, which is not the OS CD. I should probably do that, no matter what.

I was shopping for a case when this turned up, and it seemed like such an easy and cheap way out. Should have known better.