Optiplex Gn+ 5200L running windows 95 cannot find program.exe

Question

PC Spec. Optiplex Gn+ pentium 96mb ram circa 1998, windows 95 Recently I have tried to update my dial up internet, anti virus etc to enable me to survive with this pc prior to new dimension 5150 coming on line with Talk Talk ( sometime). In the process I have lost? the facility among others, to use control panel features from control panel, double cliking does not open them. But they do operate from windows\system if accessed .cpl file direct. When I open control panel and double click any task, none of them open. If I find the files in windows explorer in the windows\system folder, these having extensions .cpl and double click, they open as normal. Another symptom is again in windows explorer, If I double click for example on c:\windows\command\find.exe a message comes up 'cannot find the file c:\windows\command\find.exe Similarly with others in this folder and in DOS folder. Also my BT internet dial up has been corrupted and I have to go via the conventional MS Internet explorer to access internet. This may or may not be relevant to the problem. Also in checking to see if this is a windows problem I have tried from windows 95 disc to look at .cab files. A message comes up 'program not found' box, 'windows cannot find program.exe'. It prompts to look in c:\ . I cannot find it either, anywhere. I suspect this is an original pre installed file Does anyone recognise the problem and have a solution.

fireberd · Answer

If you're still running the Dell factory load and have never reinstalled, you may find the programs in C:\Windows\Options\Cabs

Rijko · Answer

hi,   looks like a corrupt registry, but maybe you're in luck..   You could try to run (start, run, sfc) SFC to check all system files. Maybe that will help.   Also, you could try 'autoruns' from www.sysinternals.com. (freeware) All programs that automatically start when the pc powers on are identified with this tool. Sometimes the entries will be like c:\program files\program folder\program.exe. The spaces in this path sometimes give problems, especcially with older software. Sometimes it helps to replace the path with 8.3 names... In this case that would look something like c:\progra~1\progra~1\program.exe. If that does not help, maybe adding quotes helps. That would look like 'c:\program files\program folder\program.exe'. Usually the registry edit will solve your problems.   Alternatively, you could try to disable all autoruns in the 'run' section using the 'autoruns' tool. See if that solves the error ; if it does, enable each entry one by one (and reboot each time) until the problem returns. At least you know which entry is causing the problems. Maybe an uninstall is ok, maybe a re-install...

I love dell · Answer

You are better off updating!

David wrz · Answer

I finally managed to work round the problem to extract all my data and am now working on new Dimension 5150. Original Optiplex has gone to the great recycling heaven. (Dell scheme)

I love dell · Answer

Good for you.  Is your new PC running vista?

David wrz · Answer

No, I bought into this before Vista arrived and am well happy with XP.  It does for me all that want having added 'office', and the spec is good for photo handling. It was quite a jump from Windows 95 dial up to XP and broadband.  Vista can wait for a couple of years or so.   I managed my data transfer using a direct network connection and a crossover cable.  This enabled me to manage the old data switch to the new pc through the network and all I had to do was leave the old one switched on.  After I was satisfied that all I needed had been recovered it was easy to decommission for recycling.

I love dell · Answer

Very good!:smileyvery-happy:

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