All MY Programs have been deleted

[christine99]

by myself accidentally. I have no clue how I managed to do that with one click.
Please help. I have windows me but the restore function is not working.
Not that I care about that but i miss being able to see and use my programs like scandisk, defragg, notepad etc. All is gone.
Can i use my windows Cd to restore all this?
Thank you Christine.

[bailey]

the restore cd will probly format the drive and put the system back to the way it was purchsed, and everything you added will be lost

[reboot]

You've probably lost the shortcuts, but not the programs.
Go to Start > Run > and type in: Explorer
Click OK
Look in c:\windows for the filenames of the programs you're missing, such as notepad.exe, defrag.exe, etc.
If the programs are still there, just create new shortcuts to them in your start menu.

[christine99]

Thank you so much. Yes you are correct. I found my printer and scanner programs. Still looking for others.
There are soo many folders in Windows. Where would I look to find system tools like scandisk, defragg, diskcleaner etc?
Thank you again.
Christine

[andyms18a]

have you looked in the recycle bin for your short cuts ?

[christine99]

Yes I did Andy. That's the first place I looked. I also downloaded several retrieve programs to no avail. They were all very confusing.
Since my programs are still on my pc it is a matter of linking up to them especially my system tools. I am not computer savy so I am struggling.
Thanks Andy
Christine

[andyms18a]

dose the start programs menue show any thing

[bailey]

a quick simple way to fix it is to do a system restore point to a date before you did the error.
it will put your system back the way it was and only taks a few minutes

[reboot]

Use Windows Explorer, and search for the shortcuts, instead of browsing manually.
Most of them are logical names.
The easiest thing to do at this point, is an "over the top" reinstall of Windows. That will restore all the shortcuts and still keep the rest of your settings intact.
Look in the tips and tricks forum for exactly how to do that for your OS.
If all you have is the "Restore" disk(s), it is probably better to get a list of the filenames for each shortcut you are missing, and recreate them manually.
What OS is this?
What shortcuts are you still missing? List them out, and someone here will get the proper filenames for you.

bailey: Not everyone is running XP or ME with system restore active. And not everyone has success restoring the system, especially on XP, it's just not reliable enough. AND...system restore may put the settings back the way they were, but will not necessarily recreate the missing shortcuts.

[glc]

First post says it's ME, Jim.

It also says that restore isn't working, bailey.

[reboot]

Ah, missed that little "me" in the post. Thanks George

[christine99]

Originally posted by andyms18a dose the start programs menue show any thing

Only "wordpad" and" ms paint" which I somehow stumbled upon. I also tried finding my scanner info and came across " hpprsclt" which I saved to my desktop. I haven't tried it yet but it looks like my scanner bed alright.
I sure hope I can get this whole thing straightened out.
Thanks
Christine

[christine99]

Originally posted by bailey a quick simple way to fix it is to do a system restore point to a date before you did the error. it will put your system back the way it was and only taks a few minutes

I know and believe me I have tried umpteenth times to do just that. Well since I don't have the " restore function" in my start up folder anymore, I found "msconfig" and clicked on it in the "Run" function. There it showes " launch system restore"
Does not work. Message comes up saying symantec is preventing system restore due to a script warning . Welll I haven't used symantec virus in at least a year and don't know why I still have some of their files.. I ran several virus scans in my program and online. Nothing showes up so I don't understand what is going on there.
I never had a problem with system restore before.
Sure wish I could just click that botton .
Thanks for the tip Bailey. I appreciate it very much.
Christine

[christine99]

Originally posted by reboot Use Windows Explorer, and search for the shortcuts, instead of browsing manually. Most of them are logical names. The easiest thing to do at this point, is an "over the top" reinstall of Windows. That will restore all the shortcuts and still keep the rest of your settings intact. Look in the tips and tricks forum for exactly how to do that for your OS. If all you have is the "Restore" disk(s), it is probably better to get a list of the filenames for each shortcut you are missing, and recreate them manually. What OS is this? What shortcuts are you still missing? List them out, and someone here will get the proper filenames for you. bailey: Not everyone is running XP or ME with system restore active. And not everyone has success restoring the system, especially on XP, it's just not reliable enough. AND...system restore may put the settings back the way they were, but will not necessarily recreate the missing shortcuts.

Hi Jim.
Yes I will check out all the tips sections.
I have my original windows Me disk and a floppy that says Windows start up disk. I was hoping I could just insert the windows Me CD and that way regain all my start up items. Is that what you mean? I am a bit confused cause someone else here thought that would reformat and all my added things would be lost. I want to make sure I understand you correctly.
Well I am missing all the shortcuts to my system tools like scandisk, diskcleanup, defragg, system restore. I can't even think of all my shortcuts right now but those stand out.
I was hoping there would be ONE file for all those things.
Thank you so much for taking the time trying to help me out. I really appreciate it.
I will read the tips section now and hopefully you will say I can insert my original Windows Me CD and be back to normal.
Thanks much
Christine

[reboot]

There's not just one file with all those things. They are independent applications, and most reside in the Windows folder.
If your disk is an original ME disk from Microsoft, and the startup disk that goes with it, then you can do the "over-the-top" install with NO problem.
If your disk is a "restore" disk or "recovery" disk, as those from Compaq, HP, PB, Emachine, et al, then you WILL lose everything if you run it.
The reinstall will put all the missing stuff back in, but it will also keep all current settings, including desktop, modem/internet stuff etc. It's painless

[christine99]

Originally posted by reboot There's not just one file with all those things. They are independent applications, and most reside in the Windows folder. If your disk is an original ME disk from Microsoft, and the startup disk that goes with it, then you can do the "over-the-top" install with NO problem. If your disk is a "restore" disk or "recovery" disk, as those from Compaq, HP, PB, Emachine, et al, then you WILL lose everything if you run it. The reinstall will put all the missing stuff back in, but it will also keep all current settings, including desktop, modem/internet stuff etc. It's painless

Oh I was so hoping to hear back from you today. Yes I have the original Microsoft Me CD. I also have a floppy disk that the dealer made that says Windows Me Startup Disk.
So I insert the original Windows CD and not the Startup Disk right?
Once I insert this Windows Me CD what else do I have to do? Does it install all by itself ? Geez I don't like sounding so dumb but this is like a foreign language.
If it asks me techy questions I won't know how to proceed.
I am indebted. Thanks again
Christine

[reboot]

OK, simple stuff.
Insert the floppy, insert the CD.
Restart the computer.
Wait a bit, select "Start with CD-ROM support" from the menu.
When you get to the a:\ prompt, type this:
E:
Hit Enter.
Note: "E" may NOT be the drive letter you need. If your CD-ROM is normally "D", then it will be "E" in this case. Adjust as needed.
Now type:
setup
Hit Enter.
The installation will start.
Follow the on screen prompts, until you get to the part where it asks WHERE you want to install to, and it will probably have two options.
One will be c:\ and the other will be "other".
Select "Other", click Next.
You should now see a screen, with a window that says, "c:\windows.000" in it.
Change that to read "c:\windows" by removing the .000
This insures that this "over-the-top" install is actually going to go over the top, and not somewhere else.
Let it run.
Type in the Key code when prompted.
Restart as needed.
The only thing you will have to do once it's finished, is go back to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and get ALL your updates again.

Edit: Ignore everything I typed above, and go read this: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...threadid=70846
Then come back and re-read the above, just to see if it makes sense.
If you find something contradictory, the link I posted is definitive, as I typed all this from memory. I actually haven't done an over-the-top install on 98/ME in quite a long time

[christine99]

Originally posted by reboot OK, simple stuff. Insert the floppy, insert the CD. Restart the computer. Wait a bit, select "Start with CD-ROM support" from the menu. When you get to the a:\ prompt, type this: E: Hit Enter. Note: "E" may NOT be the drive letter you need. If your CD-ROM is normally "D", then it will be "E" in this case. Adjust as needed. Now type: setup Hit Enter. The installation will start. Follow the on screen prompts, until you get to the part where it asks WHERE you want to install to, and it will probably have two options. One will be c:\ and the other will be "other". Select "Other", click Next. You should now see a screen, with a window that says, "c:\windows.000" in it. Change that to read "c:\windows" by removing the .000 This insures that this "over-the-top" install is actually going to go over the top, and not somewhere else. Let it run. Type in the Key code when prompted. Restart as needed. The only thing you will have to do once it's finished, is go back to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com and get ALL your updates again. Edit: Ignore everything I typed above, and go read this: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...threadid=70846 Then come back and re-read the above, just to see if it makes sense. If you find something contradictory, the link I posted is definitive, as I typed all this from memory. I actually haven't done an over-the-top install on 98/ME in quite a long time

OMG I don't think I can do that. It sounds pretty difficult but I am going to print this and the link and read it a few times. All the tech words are intimidating but I will give it my best shot. I am very happy to hear that this can be done though if not by me than by a pro.
Thanks a bunch
Christine

[reboot]

Nothing tecchy about it.
It's something that EVERYONE using Windows should know how to do.
A shop will charge you a minimum of $50 to do this, and likely much more.
Hints and tricks: Have another working computer, with internet connection, set to http://forum.pcmech.com in case anything goes wrong.
If in doubt, STOP. Re-read instructions, try again.
The OFF switch on the back of the power supply is either your friend (when nothing else works to shut it off) or your worst enemy (when you turn it off in the middle of writing the boot sector).
DISABLE any anti-virus program. Better yet, Uninstall. You can put it back on later.
DISABLE any anti-virus, aka "Trend ChipAway" in BIOS setup (read the manual).
Test the floppy to make sure it works. If not, make another. Make another for backup anyhow.
Google for instructions on backing up your Outhouse Express address book/emails, and do that first.
Ask here if you need any more help with anything.

[christine99]

Originally posted by reboot Nothing tecchy about it. It's something that EVERYONE using Windows should know how to do. A shop will charge you a minimum of $50 to do this, and likely much more. Hints and tricks: Have another working computer, with internet connection, set to http://forum.pcmech.com in case anything goes wrong. If in doubt, STOP. Re-read instructions, try again. The OFF switch on the back of the power supply is either your friend (when nothing else works to shut it off) or your worst enemy (when you turn it off in the middle of writing the boot sector). DISABLE any anti-virus program. Better yet, Uninstall. You can put it back on later. DISABLE any anti-virus, aka "Trend ChipAway" in BIOS setup (read the manual). Test the floppy to make sure it works. If not, make another. Make another for backup anyhow. Google for instructions on backing up your Outhouse Express address book/emails, and do that first. Ask here if you need any more help with anything.

<<< Test the floppy to make sure it works. If not, make another. Make another for backup anyhow.>>>>>>>> HUH?? WHAT?????
PLEASE don't be upset with me.
This is what confuses me and also do I insert the start up disk and the original windows Me at the same time?? I live in the very east part of Northern Maine. It will be difficult for me to get this fixed but i have the printed copy that you provided to help I hope.
Gee I wish you lived in NEW Brunswick instead of British Columbia.
You are right. Everyone should know how to do this but being a woman this is VERY hard to comprehend. Test the floppy? I have no idea what that means. Thank you so much but i think men have no idea that some of this stuff is difficult for woman to understand and i want to so much.
Thanks again Jim .
P.S. I know you are thinking to yourself read the instructions and you can do it. The problem is I don't understand it and i am very much angry at myself.
Chris

[reboot]

Don't make it more complicated than it is. It's actually easier to do, than it is to type it all out
Make a startup diskette:
Go into Control Panel.
Select Add/Remove Programs.
Go over to the Startup Disk tab.

Test the floppy:
Put the floppy in the drive, restart computer.
If it boots to the floppy and gets you to a short menu with 3 or 4 choices, then it works.

To do the "over the top" install:
Insert the startup diskette AND the Windows ME CD-ROM.
Restart the computer.
Select, "Start with CDROM support" from the menu.
Follow the on screen prompts.
There is only 1 thing you MUST do during the install, and that is make sure you select "Other" when prompted for the installation path, and take the .000 off the end, so that it installs to C:\WINDOWS
It's that simple.
Just try it.