Windows can't find files

UFAlien · 07-12-2008, 01:18 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, 06:40 PM

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

UFAlien · 07-12-2008, 07:37 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, 07:59 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, 11:23 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, 01:18 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, 06:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
djaburg TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,320 OS: XP SP3/Vista/7 Server 2K/2K3/2K8	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. The inherent vice of capitalism is the uneven division of blessings, while the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal division of misery.

07-12-2008, 07:37 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, 07:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
af3 TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,173 OS: XP32, the gaming OS. 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?

07-15-2008, 11:23 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!