Start menu problem

matt1314 · Postby **matt1314** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 12:17 pm

Hi everyone.

Since some time my entire start menu disappeared! My whole list of all installed programs is not there anymore. Also the shortcuts for the Windows XP Tour, Windows Update etc. disappeared suddenly, too!

I didn't change anything on my PC, I really don't know what happened!
Here a screen shot ("Leer" means "empty", "Programme" means "programs"):

The main strange thing is, that all the folders for my start menu are there (in the "Documents and Settings" folder), but not shown in the programs entry of the green Start button. Also all entries for "All Users" are there (also in the "Documents and Settings" folder), but all are not shown on the green Start button. Here three more screen shots:

My personal start menu folders are there, but not on the green Start button on the programs entry:

The "All Users" start menu shortcuts and folders are also there, but not on the green Start button on the programs entry, too:

Can you help me to solve this problem?

Thanks.

Riva · Postby **Riva** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 2:52 pm

Sometimes the shortcuts of your "programme menu" disappears (but not all like your problem). I dunno if you can fix this problem and why it happened (a possible KB or malware update).

I see that the folders and shortcuts are always there from your own folder, did you try to restart your PC ?

matt1314 · Postby **matt1314** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 3:55 pm

Yes, Riva, I've restarted my PC lots of times and I've tried all I can, but it is still like this. I'm sure, I have no malware, and I think malware can't do that.

Postby **Franch88** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:48 pm

Have you tried to do a system configuration restore? Usually these strange problems disappear after done this.

dageek · Postby **dageek** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:54 am

also try un installing recently installed programs

matt1314 · Postby **matt1314** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 12:22 pm

Yes, I tried the System Configuration Restore, but I had no luck. This problem is still there.

What can I do?

Riva · Postby **Riva** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:48 pm

Strange. I've never had this problem. The only topics that I saw from google (in French) speak of using the System Config Restore, scan your hard disks about malwares and co or uninstall recent installed programs (as well as the fixes from Windows Update).

matt1314 · Postby **matt1314** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:27 pm

Yeah, it's really strange. But anyway, could it be a registry problem?

Riva · Postby **Riva** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:25 pm

You don't have the genuine version ?

matt1314 · Postby **matt1314** » Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:02 pm

What do you mean? Why don't I have a genuine version of my Windows XP Pro? Of course I have a genuine version.

Riva · Postby **Riva** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:17 am

Because

could it be a registry problem?

I thought that you alluded to the 30 days registry limit.

Just in case, did you check if the startmenu shortcuts aren't hidden or read-only ?

Did you try to copy the existent shortcuts from each folders (all users, you) ?

Did you try to create a new shortcut (from your desktop or directly from the "Programme menu") ? Then check what's happens.

Edit.

BTW, did you try also to check the properties of this menu ? I mean by doing a right click from the taskbar, then choose properties > start menu > personalize > advanced settings.

Sorry I don't know the english version of Windows XP, so here's a pic, maybe he can help you (check the step 3 above Network favorites).

matt1314 · Postby **matt1314** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:12 pm

Thanks, Riva. I'll give them a try.