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 everyone for your time, trouble, and knowlege! I really appreciate you all. It’s no wonder FR is such a great place. Thanks, again!

[FlyVet]

Ahhh, we just like surrounding someone in distress, like sharks circling the bait. Everybody’s got a solution for you. :P

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Try going to ( Search ) and type in the program name.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

I found out that things get really messy and hangs up and messed up, it’s time to do a reinstall and bring the computer back to it was when you first bought the computer, that is ? if you still have the original cd disk that came with the computer.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

But, before you do a reinstall, run disk check to make sure there are no errors on the disk.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

" 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... " is that data files ? pictures ? programs you put on your computer after you bought it ?
Some computer reinstall disk have a option either to do a limited reinstall or a destructive ( reformats the disk and does a clean install ) reinstall ( get's ride of all data on disk ).
With some problems with a computer, I found out that , that is the only solution is to do a reinstall, if you do do a reinstall, don't forget to get and update all your drivers because Windows XP might not load all of them.
Yes, I hate it to, to back up all the files, data, pictures, programs, but, if the computer really messes up, and no solution works, that is your last resort. to reinstall.

[JerseyHighlander]

replace the weak microsoft calc with “microtools4U calculator”. Much better calc.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Did you run ( Search ) ? and try to find the programs that way ?

[FlyVet]

That is not possible with these new-fangled packaged computers. My HP came with no separate software. It was a screaming deal at less than $500 for a dual core processor and tons of software, but these major manufacturers no longer give you the software separately. The only choice I have when the software messes up (or I mess up) is to run a System Recovery.

The software package is kept in a partition on the C: drive, the partition being designated the D: drive.

On this system, if you have a major malfunction, you have to run a Recovery, which restores the system to original configuration, and then you have to go through the headache of removing all the crap you don't want, that gets in the way and slows your system down.

I understand why they do that, because they get tired of people pirating their software for free. But, next time I will probably spend a few hundred more to get a raw system and add my own software.

For instance, if 3 years from now, my HP system motherboard takes a dump, will I be able to replace it myself and carry on, as I have done for the past 20 years?

Probably not, as that new motherboard will violate some software agreement, making my computer "invalid" for the loaded software.

In the past, I was able to upgrade my computer as some part of it gave out, but it becomes less and less possible, due to major manufacturer's more and more strict copyright rules.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Some manufactures have the reinstall software already on the hard drive, and you have make your own copies on a CD or DVD. and even then, they only allow you to do that once.

[PAR35]

OK, it was worth asking. My calculator is at C:\windows\system32\calc (no exe)

[mtbopfuyn]

Ack, I knew a reinstall was in my near future.

[mtbopfuyn]

Yes, ours came with no software and we had to make discs. The thing is, with my luck they won’t work and then I’ll really be up the creek. I’m wondering if I’m better off just leaving things alone. I can live without card games. I can live without one click away from a calculator. The kiddoes can find another recording thing somewhere on the net and I hope enough of the media stuff is still here so they can get their homework done. What I can’t live with is the expense of a new computer because the silly reinstall disks didn’t work.

[beaubazzoo]

1. Poster 45 had some very good advice. Run a disk check in case your hard drive has some damaged sectors.

2. Got to ghisler.com and dl Total Commander. Wonderful file management proggie. I use it every day and have done so for the last ten years.

[mtbopfuyn]

Thanks for the info.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Well, nowadays, you can get a decent ( fast ) computer for about $ 400 dollars or less if you shop around or wait for a sale.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I havn’t read all the replies on this thread...but have you tried doing a repair install of Windows XP from your CD?

[farmboy232]

Well I don’t know if you have done a system restore or not, but heres some steps for getting your Calculator shotcut:

1. Right click an empty space on your desktop.
2. Click new, then click shortcut.
3. A window appears. Type in “calc” into the blank space.
4. Click next. Type in a name you want for the shortcut.
5. Click finish. Your done and presto. You have calculator back.

[southerngal07]

go to start menu
click on control panel
click add/remove programs
click add/remove program components
(make sure only accessoried and utilities are checked)
click details
check accessories and check games
click ok
click next
wait for everything to be reloaded
click finish
you will need to restart your computer

hope this helped
=)

[amb1]

I had the same problem with loosing the windows accessories. You could either transfer the .exe files from another computer and put them in C:\WINDOWS\system32 You can than create a shortcut in your start menu like what was mentioned earlier. The link below also has a zip file that contains most of the applications. Open the zip file and put in the folder/file path that I mentioned above. http://www.htmlhelpcentral.com/messageboard/showthread.php?t=3008 If you had the same problem that I did you might have also lost the original windows game (solitaire, free cell, spider...). I'm not sure where you could download these from but have found a free program that has spider, solitaire, and free cell. It is called 123 Free Solitaire. For the other games you might be able to find them at download.com. Hope this helps!