Unable to find programs except in Add/Remove Programs

I am having problems on a machine that I support that I have no idea where to start looking. When I install programs they don't show up anywhere except in the Add/Remove Programs list. It doesn't give me any errors to lead me to believe that it didn't install correctly. It doesn't show up in the Program Files folder and it doesn't show up in the Start menu.

Any ideas where to start with troubleshooting this?

Welcome to techhelpforum.

Run a file check on the O/S.

Click START, RUN, type in

sfc /purgecache

This ensures that system files are copied from your Windows installation media, and files which may be infected with malware or corrupted are not copied from your drive.

Then type in

sfc /scannow

Have your XP CD handy.

You could also try downloading the latest Windows Installer;
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

This might help clear things up.

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It's a good day when you learn something
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Location: Alberta, CanadaD-A-L Hardware Scan

Thanks for the suggestion. I had actually seen that possible fix somewhere else and decided to try it out. It didn't fix the problem as far as I could tell. I chose to revert to last known good configuration and it seemed to have fixed the problem. I was then able to see items that I had supposedly installed but weren't showing up.

I was having a similar problem at home and wasn't sure what to do and did this at home also afterwards and the home computer is now working right also.

This thread has been resolved and locked to prevent other users from hijacking the thread and to help others know which threads have been resolved and which are still being worked on.

If you started this thread and the problem returns, or, the case has not been properly resolved, please send a Private Message to a Moderator to have the thread opened again. If you have a different problem, please start a new thread in the appropriate forum.

__________________
It's a good day when you learn something
-----------------------------------------------------------
Location: Alberta, CanadaD-A-L Hardware Scan