HELP! I can not run ANY windows applications

  • Thread starter Thread starter Don McMaster
  • Start date Start date
D

Don McMaster

The computer starts up just fine. I am able to log into
the computer ok. But whenever I try to run any application
I get an error message that says:

Cannot find the file 'C:\WINNT\system32\notepad.exe' (or
one of its components). Make sure the path and filename
are correct and that all required libraries are available.

This happens when I try to run notepad, if I run a
different application a different file name appears.

I tried running applications directly (not using
shortcuts) and the same problem happens.

I have not made any hardware or software changes lately.

ANY help anybody might offer will be appreciated. THANK
YOU.
 
Sounds like your path statement is damaged or empty. Control
Panel|System|Advanced|Environment Variables|System Variables and have a look
at "Path"
or from a command prompt;
echo %path%

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft MVP [Windows NT/2000 Operating Systems]
Microsoft Certified Professional [Windows 2000]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


:
| The computer starts up just fine. I am able to log into
| the computer ok. But whenever I try to run any application
| I get an error message that says:
|
| Cannot find the file 'C:\WINNT\system32\notepad.exe' (or
| one of its components). Make sure the path and filename
| are correct and that all required libraries are available.
|
| This happens when I try to run notepad, if I run a
| different application a different file name appears.
|
| I tried running applications directly (not using
| shortcuts) and the same problem happens.
|
| I have not made any hardware or software changes lately.
|
| ANY help anybody might offer will be appreciated. THANK
| YOU.
 
Thank you for your reply. I found out that there was a
virus on the computer that was causing the problem. I
performed a removal of the virus as described here:
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w3
2.protoride.worm.html . but now I get a different error
message when I start an application: "this file does not
have a program associated with it for performing this
action. create an association in the folders option
control panel." and when i try to open the control panel
i get "access to the specific device, path or file is
denied"
I am not sure about my path
settings... "PATH=C:\WINNT\system32;C:\WINNT;C:\WINNT\Syst
em32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control
Panel;C:\PROGRA~1\EXECUT~1\" It looks fine to me.
Anything anyone can suggest will be appreciated.
 
The path statement looks fine. For the damaged file type associations it may
be easiest to while in Explorer, right-click (or shift-right-click depending
on OS) on a file of the type in question, then choose "Open With", "Choose
Program", then choose and check the box for "Always use this program....."

For the other these may help.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q292175

What an In-Place Windows 2000 Upgrade Changes and What It Does Not Change
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q306952

How to Restore the Default NTFS Permissions for Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=266118




--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft MVP [Windows NT/2000 Operating Systems]
Microsoft Certified Professional [Windows 2000]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


:
| Thank you for your reply. I found out that there was a
| virus on the computer that was causing the problem. I
| performed a removal of the virus as described here:
| http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w3
| 2.protoride.worm.html . but now I get a different error
| message when I start an application: "this file does not
| have a program associated with it for performing this
| action. create an association in the folders option
| control panel." and when i try to open the control panel
| i get "access to the specific device, path or file is
| denied"
| I am not sure about my path
| settings... "PATH=C:\WINNT\system32;C:\WINNT;C:\WINNT\Syst
| em32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control
| Panel;C:\PROGRA~1\EXECUT~1\" It looks fine to me.
| Anything anyone can suggest will be appreciated.
 
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