Windows can't find files

UFAlien · 07-12-2008, 12:18 PM

After a recent restart, I was unable to run just about any program on my PC. At first I got messages about access to the files being denied but after more restarts the messages say that the files could not be found. When I explore the HDD, I see all the files are in place. But it insists they are not there. I was able to run a shell extension virus scan, and none of the files came up infected. Is there some remedy for the situation?

djaburg · 07-12-2008, 05:40 PM

I'd run a chkdsk /r from the command line and see if there is any file corruption.

UFAlien · 07-12-2008, 06:37 PM

T he command prompt is one of the programs it can't find. But I noticed that only trying to directly open the program produces the error. I was able to run Windows Media Player by clicking on a video file. I could also open Firefox by clicking on a stored bookmark on my Hard Drive, but my internet connection depends on a program I can't open.

**af3** · 07-14-2008, 06:59 AM

It can't find CMD.EXE?!

Start > Run > CMD > OK

If that fails, there is something serriously wrong... There is a recovery console available in your Windows 2000 setup CD, I think... You could run the chkdsk /r from that if you can't do it in Windows.

Is your hard drive making strange noises?

UFAlien · 07-15-2008, 10:23 AM

I found the solution elsewhere. It was the Winsock virus or something like that. Anyway, there was a simple patch, and I removed the virus. Everything's fine now. Thanks for trying!

07-12-2008, 12:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
UFAlien Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: windows 2000 sp4	Windows can't find files After a recent restart, I was unable to run just about any program on my PC. At first I got messages about access to the files being denied but after more restarts the messages say that the files could not be found. When I explore the HDD, I see all the files are in place. But it insists they are not there. I was able to run a shell extension virus scan, and none of the files came up infected. Is there some remedy for the situation?

07-12-2008, 05:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
djaburg Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 333 OS: XP SP2	Re: Windows can't find files I'd run a chkdsk /r from the command line and see if there is any file corruption. __________________ Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make it easier to do don't need to be done. Andy Rooney

07-12-2008, 06:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
UFAlien Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: windows 2000 sp4	Re: Windows can't find files T he command prompt is one of the programs it can't find. But I noticed that only trying to directly open the program produces the error. I was able to run Windows Media Player by clicking on a video file. I could also open Firefox by clicking on a stored bookmark on my Hard Drive, but my internet connection depends on a program I can't open.

07-14-2008, 06:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
af3 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 757 OS: Windows XP SP3 My System	Re: Windows can't find files It can't find CMD.EXE?! Start > Run > CMD > OK If that fails, there is something serriously wrong... There is a recovery console available in your Windows 2000 setup CD, I think... You could run the chkdsk /r from that if you can't do it in Windows. Is your hard drive making strange noises? __________________ You are currently using 0 MB (0%) of your 7171 MB, what's wrong with you?

07-15-2008, 10:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
UFAlien Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3 OS: windows 2000 sp4	Re: Windows can't find files I found the solution elsewhere. It was the Winsock virus or something like that. Anyway, there was a simple patch, and I removed the virus. Everything's fine now. Thanks for trying!