[KatzenFrau]

I cannot access msconfig from the Run command. Error message is: "Windows cannot find 'msconfig'. Make sure you typed the name....". I can access the system configuration utility through C:\WINNT\PCHealth\HelpCenter\Binaries or through C:\WINNT\ServicePackFiles\i386. There are, also, a couple of exe files in Prefetch. (1) How do I get Windows to recognize the run command and (2) Can the Prefetch files be deleted? Appreciate any help.

KatzenFrau

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name PROFILE
System Manufacturer Gateway
System Model Profile4
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2392 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,LTD 04PB.20030328.2531.HJU, 3/28/2003
SMBIOS Version 2.31
Windows Directory C:\WINNT
System Directory C:\WINNT\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
User Name PROFILE\Owner
Time Zone Eastern Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 256.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 62.24 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 625.65 MB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

[D_Trojanator]

First thing is to check that msconfig is installed on your computer. Press the Windows key followed by the F key on the keyboard. This key combo will bring up the file search window. Then type in "msconfig.exe" as the name of the file to seach for and click the Find now box. If the file is found, it should be located in C/Windows/System.

If for some reason you do not have it, you can download it from your xp boot cd.
David

[KatzenFrau]

Yes, it is resident in C:\WINNT\PCHealth\HelpCenter\Binaries and in C:\WINNT\ServicePackFiles\i386; and I can execute from there, but would like to get it to execute from the Run command again.

[D_Trojanator]

Ok,
click start/run and type regedit.

If it loads tell me, if it doesn't also tell me!
Exit the program (if it loaded)!

David

[KatzenFrau]

No, it does not load. It is found by search in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft|Search Assistant|ADMru\5603|000 REG-SZ

JGR

[sy2]

Try copying msconfig.exe into the WINNT\System or WINNT\System32 folder - I'm not sure which one because I don't have NT, so I'm not even sure if both exist...

But try that and then use Start -> Run.

[TechnutJay]

Originally Posted by sy2

Try copying msconfig.exe into the WINNT\System or WINNT\System32 folder - I'm not sure which one because I don't have NT, so I'm not even sure if both exist...

But try that and then use Start -> Run.

Just download it here
http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/Msconfig.htm

[sy2]

I believe that he has the program, it's just not in the System folder.

[TechnutJay]

Originally Posted by sy2

I believe that he has the program, it's just not in the System folder.

[D_Trojanator]

Technutopia, you should look into the post more thoroughly before posting. It is quite clear that the user is using XP as stated in post #1, and the link you gave doesn't have any msconfig.exe for XP. Don;t worry about it though, just look into the post more!
David

[lotuseclat79]

KatzenFrau,

Are you logged in as a regular user or an Administrator? There may be a restriction on regular users against executing msconfig.

Is your Help and Support Center service disabled, manual or automatically started up?

-- Tom

[KatzenFrau]

Thanks to sy2 and others. The copying from the PCHealth folder into System folder worked. I suspected that was the answer, but was hesitant to go ahead without more experienced confirmation. This is why these forums are great.

[sy2]

Glad to hear it worked

[lotuseclat79]

I run WinXP Pro SP2 and only have the following two instances of msconfig.exe:
C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch\MSCONFIG.EXE-2FB968F4.pf
C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\msconfig.exe

I have never had any problems executing msconfig.exe from the Run Command window.

-- Tom

P.S. Glad its working for you now!

P.P.S. I would leave the Prefetch files alone.

[sy2]

Maybe NT doesn't allow for files in the \helpctr\binaries folder to be run from any command prompt like XP does... I'm not sure.

Leaving the prefetch files alone is probably a good idea, as well, although clearing them out every once in awhile can improve system performance, although the increase would most likely be slight.

See this article re: Prefetch files and clearing them:
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/art...efetch-XP.html