Windows XP - lost Games and Calculator

vanity

[mtbopfuyn]

Help! A couple weeks ago our Outlook Express freaked out and locked up. Never did get it working again even with psc tech help so we went to the plain jane Outlook. Then looking around, noticed under the Start Menu under Programs - Accessories that the calculator, Record Now, MS Paint and Games (free cell, spider, etc.) were missing. While I can't care less about email, I NEED my games and calculator and the kids need Paint for their homework and Record Now for school band practice!

I did a Run Search and can get to MS Paint and spider that way so I know those are still somewhere in the computer. I'm guessing the other games are in there as well. I still can't find the calculator. And I think Record Now is missing too since I couldn't find it just now.

I tried to do a System Restore but it won't let me. Yes, I clicked on the bold dates. It also won't take me back any further than August. I was hoping to get back to the original date but no such luck.

I tried to go to Install New Software but apparently the back up and recovery disks don't want to work. I know the back up disks are from this computer but I'm not so sure about the recovery disks - are there 8 recovery disks?

Can anyone help me find where these files are hiding and put them back on the Start Menu where they belong? Thanks.

BTW, what all is listed under Assessories because I may be missing much more that I'm not aware of.

[mtbopfuyn]

Thanks.

[Aliska]

I can't find the path for freecell and calculator to see where the .exe is supposed to be (without spending an inordinate amount of time on it).

Accessories>Accessibility, Communications, Entertainment, Address Book, Calculator, Command Prompt, Notepad, Paint, Program Compatibility Wizard, Scanner and Camera Wizard, Synchronize, Tour Windows XP, (untitled.bumpfetter.bmp - must be some junk that got on mine), Windows Explorer, Windows Movie Maker, System Tools. Each one has a pop out menu with more.

Sorry I can't be a better help. I hate it when things like that happen.

[Khepera]

Try

%SystemRoot%\system32\calc.exe

[Aliska]

Correction, only the first three and last item I mentioned have pop out menus for more.

[Grut]

Quit screwing around: Ubuntu 7.04/Firefox/Thunderbird.

[mtbopfuyn]

From your list, what I am missing is Calculator, Paint, Scanner and Camera Wizard.

The only ones that have anything in them are:

Accessibility - magnifier, narrator, on-screen keyboard (I think those 3 got added with the new keyboard???) and utility manager

Communications - network connections, network setup wizard, new connections wizard, remote disktop connection, wireless network setup wizard

Entertainment says it’s empty

System Tools - activate windows, disk cleanup, disk defrgmenter, files & settings transfer wizard, scheduled tasks, security system, system info, system restore, internets explorer (no add-ons)

So, where is Record Now? And all the volume buttons?

[mtbopfuyn]

Nope, won’t work on Run. A window pops up that says it’s unable to find it.

[mtbopfuyn]

Huh? I don’t speak Russian or whatever that site is.

[Political Junkie Too]

Not sure if this will help, but there is a difference between where the links to the apps are, and where the apps themselves are.

Your start menu is stored in several places. Right-click on the Start button and click on Explore. The main list of apps is stored in Documents and Settings->All Users->Start Programs. Any specific programs that you install for your ID may be stored in Documents and Settings->your userid->Start Menu->Programs.

The Windows apps themselves are stored in Windows->System32. Paint is mspaint.exe. Calc is calc.exe.

-PJ

[tomkat]

Assuming you're familiar with Windows Explorer and have, like most, C: as your root drive (where Windows is installed):

a) Open Windows Explorer

b) Navigate to the locations listed below

c) Right click on each .exe entry and click 'create shortcut'

d) The new shortcut should show up right under the app you're working on (do them one at a time)

e) Right click/drag each new shortcut to the folder in your Start Menu where you usually access them

f) Be certain you're dragging the shortcut and not the .exe file ! (there should be a little arrow on the shortcut)

This will do nothing for the underlying reason for their disappearance but at least you'll have access til you/someone on the scene can sort it out.

Calculator > C:\System32\calc.exe

Sound Recorder > C:\System32\sndrec32.exe

Volume Control > C:\System32\sndvol32.exe

Paint > C:\System32\mspaint.exe

Solitaire > C:\System32\sol.exe

Hearts > C:\System32\mshearts.exe

Freecell > C:\System32\freecell.exe

MineSweeper > C:\System32\winmine.exe

Spider > C:\System32\spider.exe

Outlook Express > C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe

* Pinball > C:\Program Files\Windows NT\Pinball\pinball.exe

* Reversi > C:\Program Files\MSN Gaming Zone\Windows\Rvsezm.exe

*Spades > C:\Program Files\MSN Gaming Zone\Windows\shvlzm.exe

* your system may/may not include these

[tomkat]

Damn ! Left out part of the paths !

Corrected ones below:

Calculator > C:\Windows\System32\calc.exe

Sound Recorder > C:\Windows\System32\sndrec32.exe

Paint > C:\Windows\System32\mspaint.exe

Solitaire > C:\Windows\System32\sol.exe

Hearts > C:\Windows\System32\mshearts.exe

Freecell > C:\Windows\System32\freecell.exe

MineSweeper > C:\Windows\System32\winmine.exe

Spider > C:\Windows\System32\spider.exe

[mtbopfuyn]

Yes, I knew they were somewhere but the only one I could find in the system 32 file was Spider. No other games (solitare, freecell, hearts, etc.) nor could I find Paint although I can access it by doing a Run. Any idea how to move Spider and Paint back to the Accessibility in the Start Menu?

I had no luck with your calculator title (calc.exe or any variation) or with the previous poster’s. I can’t locate it in the system 32 folder either.

If anyone can help with Record Now since it’s “for the children”, ya know.

[mtbopfuyn]

All righty! Off to try this. Thanks!

[Political Junkie Too]

You can right-click on the exe and click Copy, then go to the menu location and paste shortcut. You may have to rename it if you don't like "shortcut to" in front of it.

If Record Now came on your computer, do you still have it on a restore disk that came with the computer? I'd also say that you can probably download it from the Sonic website, but you may wind up installing a trial version instead of your licensed version.

-PJ

[tomkat]

good luck

once the new shortcuts are in place (or even before you move them actually) you can right click>rename them to avoid confusion

eg: 'Solitaire' without the .exe extension

[FlyVet]

I tried to do a System Restore but it won't let me.

By "System Restore", do you mean "System Recovery"? At least that's what HP calls it.

I had major problems with mine after I accidentally messed up the boot sector. I tried System Recovery and it wouldn't work. It had me pulling my hair out for a few days, until I got one of their phone technicians to ask me if I had changed my hardware configuration in any way.

I had. I added a CD burner, a hard drive, and my old keyboard.

She told me I must restore my system to original hardware configuration for the System Recovery to work.

After I did that, it worked like a charm.

It ticked me off that they don't include that indispensable little tidbit of info in their troubleshooting guide.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

If all else fails, take the CD that you got with the computer and reinstall the whole operating system.

[mtbopfuyn]

Hmm, none worked except Paint and Spider.

Now I see that Windows Media is also missing from the Start Up. I can get it in a round about way, but it’s annoying just like paint and spider.

I finally got the back up disc to work but it only installed old word documents and pictures.

[mtbopfuyn]

Yes, Record Now came with the computer. It didn’t come back during the backup restore. Will have to check at Sonic. Thanks.

[mtbopfuyn]

Hmm, that’s interesting. I don’t see a “System Recovery”. My HP titles it “System Restore”; where it supposedly will restore it back to some previous date. Well, it won’t.

If it’s restored to the original configuration, didn’t you lose everything you had on it? I really don’t want to do that and if the back up disks only work when they feel like it, well...