Start>Programs>(Empty)

I am running Windows XP Pro (SP2) and suddenly have lost all the links to all installed programs but most will still run via the Desktop Shortcut.

If I go to Start, Programs, it shows (Empty) with the Classic Start Menu but if I right-click Start and Explore to show Start Menu > Programs I can see all the folders and shortcuts to programs etc.

An associated problem is seen if I go to Control Panel, Folder Options, View it just shows Files and Folders with "nothing else" below - all the little boxes showing ticks, etc, are missing and Restoring Defaults/Reset All Folders have no effect.

I've never come across this odd effect before.

I tend to use Norton System Works for general housekeeping but this no longer runs at all even when I double click the Nmain.exe file and I have tried uninstalling/reinstalling System Works!

Any ideas?

 

Login as Administrator and click Start > Run > and type regsvr32 /i shell32.dll

Be sure to pay attention to the spaces. Let us know.

Steve

 

Thanks - I did a cut & paste of your string just to be on the safe side and it ran with a resultant message "DllRegisterServer and DllInstall in shell32.dll succeeded.

It restored all the missing boxes in Folder Options/View OK but all the missing Start>Programs> are still all missing unless I use explore.
Neil

 

Restart the computer.

Steve

 

Restarted but still the same - nothing in Programs, not even the system Accessories folder even though it can be seen in "explore" for All Users.

Neil

 

Try #117 on the left-hand side Restore Taskbar and Start Menu here, http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Save the REG File to your hard disk. Double click it and answer yes to the import prompt.

Steve

 

Did exactly as you suggested Steve, saved the reg file to desktop and added it to registry. Then re-booted.

Still has Programs reporting (Empty).

Have alsonoticed that if I right click Programs and select Open then it correctly shows the missing files!!

 

Hold on a minute had to edit

 

Sorry.

Check the link below for some other possible solutions. One, you have already tried but I didn't ask you to make sure you are logged in as Administrator. Also, you might want to wait for some other suggestions/ideas before you try the steps in the link, it's up to you.

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/AllPrograms.htm

Steve

 

Thanks for your guidance & help so far. I suspected that the registry had become corrupt in some way and ordered a copy of Registry Mechanic as recommended in Major Geeks.com above. It seemed to find and correct quite a few "errors" but whenever I set it to do a "Deep Scan" it causes my PC to reboot at some point!

I'll use you last "link" to carefuly explore using regedit, after taking a backup of course, and compare the registry on this PC with the registry my other Laptop in the areas outlined in this last link, to see if I can find some clue to my present problem.

Let you know what I find. Neil

 

OK. Hey, you got Registry Mechanic, neat. Those registry programs are a powerful tool, be sure to be careful and follow the instructions.

Setting a restore point now and then is always a good idea.

Steve

 

I think I have to give up gracefully this time. Not only does Mechanic cause re-boots but even a Ctrl+F (search) in the Registry Editor for Common Start Menu also causes a crash so I guess my Registry has some fatal flaws in this PC.

I think I will have to pull back an earlier Ghost Image and re-build again-I have already tried earlier Restore Points but can't go back far enough!!

Thanks again for help and advice.