where have all my programs gone...........?

[jimmy]

I have recently had and cleared a virius. However I am now left with a problem.
Many of the programs I try to run are met with the message. Cannot find.............. etc. The path indicated is exactly where the program is located, but it simply won't work. I am using XP

Any ideas?

 

[chaltun]

What I would try, if I have the appropriate CD-roms for the missing programs, is to re-install them. Go to your add/remove programs.....if the missing program shows up, uninstall it then install it from the cd. I'm not an expert.this is the way I would do it and it wont damage anything in your system.

 

[JohnWill]

If you had extensive damage from the virus, I'd backup all my data, and do a clean re-install. You could be chasing phantoms for months if you have files missing and damaged that you don't discover right away.

 

[jimmy]

I really need to try to fix some things before I try to re-install.

When I try to re-install I get the message that the install command can't be found! This includes the re-install of XP

 

[JohnWill]

I'm talking about dusting off the XP CD and booting from it, a really clean install!

 

[jimmy]

johnwill
I have tried to reinstall XP from disk without success as the install command for XP is also "not found"

If it is possible for the computer to start up directly to the CD then let me know how to do this please

Thanks

 

[LONGHAIR]

It should be fairly simple.

Start your machine "normally" and while it is going through the post process,etc. it will say "to enter set-up press" something (it's usually delete)

This will get you into the BIOS

Then somewhere on that screen there will be a line for "boot order" or something like that. Your mouse will not work here,so use the arrow buttons to highlight it. Then hit enter.

This will bring you to a new screen. You can then change from "boot from harddrive" to "boot from CD" then at the bottom of the screen highlight "close/save changes"

Your machine should then continue to load Windows. Now just shut down. Start the thing back up,insert the CD and it should then boot from the CD.

After all that is done (Windows reinstalled) you must go back and change the "boot order" back to "boot from harddrive" again close saving changes.

Some of the wording will vary from one machine to another but to basic idea is there. Hope This Helps