Windows Cannot Find MSCONFIG

Dummie

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Apr 6, 2005, 6:31:01 AM4/6/05

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I cannot access MSCONFIG from the run command. I can access it when I type
in the full path: %Systemroot%\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\msconfig.exe

I have no problems accessing REGEDIT or DXDIAG from the run command.

I cannot find MSCONFIG.EXE under apps path in the registry.

I have done a complete system scan with NAV and there are NO viruses on my
computer.

What's going on here? Why can't I access MSCONFIG? How do I solve this
problem?

Please Help!

Ramesh, MS-MVP

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Apr 6, 2005, 9:21:22 AM4/6/05

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Hi Dummie,

This happens if the App Paths MSConfig.exe is missing. Open Regedit.exe and
navigate to:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths]

Create a new sub-key named "MSCONFIG.EXE"

Then, select this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App
Paths\MSCONFIG.EXE

In the right-pane, double-click (default) and type the full path to
MSConfig.exe

Example:
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

"Dummie" <mwmcm...@yahoo.com.nospam> wrote in message
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Dummie

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Apr 7, 2005, 4:41:07 AM4/7/05

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Ramesh,

Thanks for trying to help. How do I know where the "full path" to
MSCONFIG.EXE is located - according to Windows it was apparently deleted.

In your reply you gave me an "example" path to MSCONFIG.EXE. Are you
telling me that this is the path I should type in the registry or is this
just an example of a path where MSCONFIG.EXE might be located? I'm
confused.

I would have thought that I would have to replace this program since it was
deleted. You make is sound like MSCONFIG.EXE is still in my computer but
the path to this program was deleted. Which is it?

Thanks.

Ramesh, MS-MVP

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Apr 7, 2005, 11:14:59 AM4/7/05

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Dummie,

You initially stated:

" I can access it when I type in the full path:
%Systemroot%\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\msconfig.exe"

So, anyone would assume that the file is present.

>> this is the path I should type in the registry or is this just an example
>> of a path where MSCONFIG.EXE might be located?

Mine is "G:\Windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\msconfig.exe"

Yours may be (depending on the drive and folder name where Windows is
installed)
C:\Windows\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\msconfig.exe

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

"Dummie" <mwmcm...@yahoo.com.nospam> wrote in message

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Dummie

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Apr 8, 2005, 3:55:04 AM4/8/05

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Obviously, I don't know what %systemroot% meant when I typed it. I was just
following directions from another discussion about the same problem.

Thanks for your help.

Ramesh, MS-MVP

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Apr 8, 2005, 5:35:39 AM4/8/05

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No problem. %systemroot% refers to your Windows folder

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://windowsxp.mvps.org

"Dummie" <mwmcm...@yahoo.com.nospam> wrote in message

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Ramesh, MS-MVP

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Jun 9, 2005, 4:04:23 PM6/9/05

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Try entering the full path in Start/Run dialog:

%systemroot%\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\msconfig.exe
%systemroot%\pchealth\helpctr\binaries\HelpCtr.exe

If that works, then it's a minor problem in the registry which can be fixed
easily. OTOH, if you receive the "Windows cannot find...." error, then you
extract the files from the source.

--
Ramesh Srinivasan
MS-MVP, Windows Shell

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

"LinusF" <Lin...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
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> My XP Pro system has no MSCONFIG and no HELPCTR. I suspect more files are
> missing. In C:\XP\i386 there are a slew of dos commands with .EX_
> extensions. When I reinstalled these two from the CD, I only get a quick
> flash of a command screen and then nothing. I've checked this forum and
> another but nothing seems to fit exactly. By the way, I am unable to
> start
> a thread in this forum --- so I hope this one gets someone's attention.
> Thanks
>
>

LinusF

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Jun 9, 2005, 4:15:05 PM6/9/05

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Okay. By putting in your recommended path I can pull up both of them.
What's the fix ?--- and thanks an inmcredible bundle for being so quick.
Why cannot I use the NEW THREAD function?

Ramesh, MS-MVP

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Jun 9, 2005, 4:21:19 PM6/9/05

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Start Regedit.exe and navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App Paths

Create a new key named MSCONFIG.EXE:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App
Paths\MSCONFIG.EXE

In the right-pane, double-click (default) and set the path to MSConfig.exe

Repeat the steps for Helpctr.exe here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\App

Paths\HELPCTR.EXE

More Information:

"Help and Support" link from Start Menu does not work:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/startmenuhelp.htm

PerceivedTypes, SystemFileAssociations, and Application Registration
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/shellcc/platform/shell/programmersguide/shell_basics/shell_basics_extending/fileassociations/fa_perceived_types.asp

--
Ramesh Srinivasan
MS-MVP, Windows Shell

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

"LinusF" <Lin...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

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LinusF

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Jun 9, 2005, 6:25:02 PM6/9/05

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Bad news: At first nothing worked.
Good news: I ran your script for Help Center and that worked --- I went
back and took the colon out of msconfig.exe and used the same path as your
script does for helpctr.exe. Wizard.
How do I find out and fix other problems which may be lurking out there and
which might be linked to these two manifestations? We are getting there!!!!
Thanks.+-

Ramesh, MS-MVP

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Jun 10, 2005, 12:33:16 AM6/10/05

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>> Bad news: At first nothing worked

It depends. Have you added it as I stated?

>> How do I find out and fix other problems which may be lurking out there

For example?

--
Ramesh Srinivasan
MS-MVP, Windows Shell

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

"LinusF" <Lin...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

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LinusF

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Jun 10, 2005, 8:06:03 AM6/10/05

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At first nothing NEW happened --- as noted, I then changed the REGEDIT
modifications to mirror your script's results and everything worked.
As regards the broader question, on another board the advice was to run sfc
/scannow. It took 45 minutes and 100 or so taps on "retry" (reminded me of
playing Space Invaders 20 years ago). Since applying your, key, fixes and
running scannow, this systems definitely feels better. I'll be checking my
primary application today. If something else has gone awry, I'll drop you a
line.