can't access certain files

[fsyozabil]

I'm using Windows XP Home. Mozilla Firefox. I'm unable to access files in My Documents, and I can't even get Control Panel in order to do a System Restore. I can get online OK, but can't work offline. Each time I switch off, the PC installs 4 updates. It seems odd to have 4 updates each time. When I click on My Documents , the cursor turns for a moment into an hourglass then I get nothing. I use Windows Tak Manager to log off, but when I log back on, all I can do is go online. can I somehow use Task Manager to get Control Panel, and then I can do System Restore. Or should I use my recovery cd. I've forgotten how. Any ideas will be appreciated.:confused:

[DirtyPolo]

Hello fsyozabil,

 

Open task manager, then click on File > New Task (Run...) > Type in "control sysdm.cpl" [without Quotes]

 

This will take you directly to the system properties window in one go!

 

Hope it works, come back and let us know how you get on with the restore!

[fsyozabil]

re. can't access certain files

 

Dirty Polo, Thanks for your suggestion but I'm afraid I don't know how to activate system restore from system properties. It doesn't tell me, and I've only done it from Control Panel.

[RandyL]

Use task manager to open a new task from file.

 

Input "rstrui.exe" without the quotes.

 

Keep in in mind I am using Vista not XP.

[DirtyPolo]

AH yes, sorry, I meant to give you the command "control" on it's own.

And that command doesn't exist in XP Randy, well not on my machine anyway :P

I'll try find the XP one now, but if I cant "control" without the quotes will get you to the control panel.

 

EDIT:

 

Randy, that exe name is correct but for some reason, maybe just in XP you have to put the whole file path or it will not work, so if you with to go straight into the restore procedure menu type in "C:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe" without the quotes.

Edited December 26, 2008 by DirtyPolo

[Goku]

Randy, that exe name is correct but for some reason, maybe just in XP you have to put the whole file path or it will not work, so if you with to go straight into the restore procedure menu type in "C:\windows\system32\restore\rstrui.exe" without the quotes.

That is because Windows, by default, checks the file name in the C:\WINDOWS directory and not anywhere else. That is why if you type only the file name that is stored in a directory other than the stated one, Windows will give you an invalid path error.

 

By the way Syoza, the symptoms you state are commonly caused by Malware infections. I strongly urge to run your computer through our disinfection procedure as it will serve as a more efficient solution.

 

Hope that helps. :)

 

-- Goku

[fsyozabil]

all is fine

 

Thanks everyone for your help. Thank you Goku for the link to the disinfect procedure but the problem I found there was accessing the programmes I'd downloaded for that very job. I did a system restore using the file path Dirty Polo gave me and everything seems fine. I have spywareblaster running, but perhaps I should still go through the anti malware procedure. I recently downloaded a Firefox add-on, to change the appearance online. It was for my son and it has cats on it. I shalln't download it again in case it was to blame. :)

[Goku]

Glad you got it resolved Syoza. Please feel free to ask any more questions or doubts you may have. :)

 

-- Goku