Missing window.

[David M]

My wife's computer is missing the Run window where you enter msconfig. I need to uncheck some software in the startup folder. Its taking quite a long time to startup. How do I change the option so the Run window always shows? On my other computer it shows. The OS is Vista 32.

[Iamjosh]

*edited*

I just realized that you're missing something else.

In any case, if i am wrong, here is the original text:

Click on Start.At the bottom, you'll have a box which reads "Search programs and Files". Type in the box "msconfig" and you'll have a single option in the programs selection with"Msconfig". Click on the the option. That will open your msconfig window.

[David M]

Thanks Josh,
I already did a search entering "msconfig". The results are "no items match your search". Seems the Vista search feature can't ever find half the files I am looking for. I get the feeling it does not look everywhere. How could it miss files I know for a fact are there..such as newly downloaded files? XP had a better search feature, it always seemed to find the files I was looking for.

What I am really looking for is a way to have the Run window permanently there so I do not have to do a search.

Edit: I found it...

The solution is to right click on the Start orb. Click on Properties. Then select Start Menu, Customize. Scroll down to Run Command and check the box.

That brought up the Run box but when I enter in msconfig, it says "Windows cannot find 'msconfig'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again".

This is very strange.

[David M]

I tried to find a solution online. The problem seems to be that the pathway going to msconfig has been changed or the msconfig folder no longer exists.

The solutions seem to be to first determine if the msconfig file still exists. So I did as they say and tried going to c:\windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\msconfig

Unfortunately, the folder called pchealth inside of the Windows folder does not show.

Some posts by others on other forums say this might have been caused by a trojan. A few days ago, Malwarebytes did find a trojan on my wife's computer.

After determining that the msconfig file no longer exists, the instructions are to do this...

"Go to C:\Windows\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\ and check if MSConfig.exe file is there or not. If it’s not there, you can copy it from another computer to the Binaries folder or if you only have Windows XP CD, open a command prompt window, insert your XP CD into the drive and enter the following command: (assuming D is your CD drive and C is where your Windows is installed)

EXPAND -R D:\I386\MSCONFIG.EX_ C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\BINARIES

That should restore MSConfig.exe to your Windows. IF MSConfig.exe is already there and you still can’t launch MSCONFIG from Run command, then the reference to the path within the registry may be wrong. Check this location in the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths\MSCONFIG.EXE

In the right pane, next to Default, it should show:

C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe"

Does anyone know what this means? Its obviously a registry edit? Should I try this? I am getting into real unfamiliar territory with registry edits and I fear making things go from bad to worse.

Am I better off taking the computer in to the shop and paying them to fix it?

[EzyStvy]

You probably need to do an advanced search since its a system file....

Or the following has been used by Win2k users since msconfig.exe didnt come on their systems.

msconfig from WinXP: Ripped from WinXP, can be used in Win2k

http://www.thetechguide.com/downloads.html

[David M]

Thanks,
I am using Vista. Is the msconfig file for XP compatible with Vista? I have another computer with Vista 64, would the 64 and the 32 bit msconfig files be compatible?

Which of the files you linked to is the solution?

BTW, the avatar I chose sums up my luck with computers. That's exactly why I chose it.

[EzyStvy]

At the very bottom of the page is says: msconfig from WinXP: Ripped from WinXP, can be used in Win2k

Avatar - do you have access to school age children that are computer savy? If not - adoption worked for me

[David M]

Steve,
I am not using Windows 2000. I am using Vista 32 on my wife's computer. Thanks.

[EzyStvy]

But you're a bold/brave adventerous guy aren't you?

[doubledragon5]

Dave yours must be corrupt, as I just tried on my wife's Vista laptop and had no problems.. I went Start in the search box typed run, clicked on it, then typed in msconfig, and had no problem. I also did this with my Win7 Ultimate on my desktop, and had the same results..

[David M]

How would I fix a corrupted msconfig file?

[Force Flow]

Windows update might repair it, but if not, you can copy it from a working machine

I don't have a vista machine handy to verify, but it looks like the file resides in C:\windows\PCHealth\Help Ctr\Binaries\msconfig.exe

[David M]

Thanks...much appreciated.