Cannot open shortcut

**amyy** · 04-01-2010, 01:50 AM

I cannot open all the shortcuts (including shortcut to Firefox)on my desktop after installing the latest Windows Update yesterday.
Tried rebooting the PC but the problem still persists.

The operating system I use is Windows XP home edition

Would appreciate if someone could help.

**bluewalrus** · 04-01-2010, 02:46 AM

Are you sure the program is still there, can you still launch the program?

**amyy** · 04-02-2010, 12:22 AM

Thanks for your kind response, Bluewalrus.
I checked the control panel. Mozilla Firefox is still there but without the size.
I have just reinstalled the program.

Wonder if you or anyone know why all the shortcuts become inaccessible when I install the latest windows update.

Also is there anyone to retrieve "shortcut to word.doc" on the desktop?

**BLiZZaRD** · 04-02-2010, 02:09 AM

Can you right click the desktop to get the context menu?

If so, do that and choose the "Arrange Icons By" option, then look and see if "Show Desktop Icons" option is checked (it should be), then see if the "Lock Web Items On Desktop" is checked (it should NOT be).

If that doesn't fix the problem, then most likely the problem is your Desktop folder got moved into another folder. Sounds odd I know.

Right click the start button and choose "Explore" then find your account name Which should be under "Documents and Settings"

So if your account is named "amyy" it should look like:

Documents and Settings >> amyy >> Desktop (each being a folder inside the other).

If it is not there, run a search for it, find it through the Explore menu and drag it back in place.

If none of those work, report back, there may be other options.

**amyy** · 04-02-2010, 02:24 AM

Many thanks to BLiZZaRD for your kind response.

"Show Desktop Icons" option is checked
and the "Lock Web Items On Desktop" is unchecked.

Desktop folder is in the right place as advised:
Documents and Settings >> amyy >> Desktop

But I still could not access the shortcut file.

Would appreciate your further advice.

**BLiZZaRD** · 04-02-2010, 02:28 AM

Your OP says "all the short cuts" the last 2 posts say "the" shortcut.

Vast difference in diagnosis, so... which is it, all shortcuts or just one?

**amyy** · 04-02-2010, 02:31 AM

Sorry, should be all shortcuts

**BLiZZaRD** · 04-02-2010, 02:33 AM

Okay, I am just getting off work now, but it takes a couple hours to get home. Once I get home and settled I will have another look.

**amyy** · 04-02-2010, 02:40 AM

No hurry, BLiZZaRD.
Greatly appreciate your kind assistance.

**BLiZZaRD** · 04-02-2010, 06:25 PM

Okay, the next step is to see if you had any errors while the update was going on. Remember the date you did the update, then, go to the control panel, click on "Administrative Tools" then click on "Event Viewer" There are 4 categories here, clicking on each one on the left will open the events on the right.

Check all 4, but mostly we are interested in the Application and System tabs.

You are looking for an error or caution (errors are noted by a red circle with an X in it.)

Check for these with the date of the updates and if you find any post them here. (or a screen shot if you would rather)

If there are no errors for the date of the update then we need to try something else:

Reboot in safe mode. If you aren't sure how to do that, just ask, its fairly simple.

Once booted fully into safe mode check if the icons work. If they do, then we need to restore the computer to a date previous of the updates, if they do not work we have other issues.