strange windows problem

[AND_YOU_ARE]

My gf has a dell, yes, i didnt advise this, but any way.

She has been having many problems, but the latest one is very strange. When she looks at programs under the start menu, it is totaly empty. When she goes into windows explorer under:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu

C:\Documents and Settings\your name\Start Menu

But all her programs are visable there, but not in the start menu. She is trying a system restore right now. I'll see what happens.

Any ideas?

 

[AND_YOU_ARE]

Never mind. A system restore worked. But it is still a strange problem.

 

[TheMajor]

Do both folders contain the same stuff?

 

[AND_YOU_ARE]

Well not exactly. Not all of the programs unter the start button are found in both folders, but both folders together contain all the programs. This is how it is on any xp system.

 

[TheMajor]

Yes, that's the way it should be.
She should at least see the items from "All users" in her start menu. No matter wich account she uses.

 

[AND_YOU_ARE]

Well she only has one user, but the all user folder is installed by default.

It still doesnt explain why they show up in windows explorer, but not under the start menu.

 

[TheMajor]

Maybe they were hidden. Dunno

 

[AND_YOU_ARE]

Yeah, I dont know either. But they are back after a system restore, but they disapeared after a reboot, so they might disapear again.

She wants me to build her a new pc, so that might be happening soon.