Icons disappearing with error messages and being sent to Recycle Bin

[robhull]

I am going nuts with this problem and maybe you guys are the only ones who can help. Even Answers.Microsoft.com hasn't been able to give me a solution that works.

Here's the problem:

Every time I start my computer and I click on an icon (on the desktop or in the Start menu), the icon disappears and this error message shows up about a dozen times:"Could not find this item. This is no longer in C:\...Verify this item's location."

I've done all of the following and none of them have worked:

• System Restore before certain Microsoft updates
• I get the same problem in Safe Mode
• The problem gets worse when I create another user account and use that account instead of the Administrator account
• I've replaced Avira antivirus with Microsoft Security Essentials and ran a full scan
• I've tried a Clean Reboot
• Full scans using Avira, Malwarebytes, Spybot Search & Destroy ClamWin, and various Microsoft downloadable fixes
• Windows Command Processor (CMD) > sfc /scannow
• Adding, changing, and subtracting registry entries
• Yelling and swearing at it...

I have Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit on an HP G60 Notebook with 3GB RAM with Pentium Dual Core T4300 @ 2.10GHz

The strange thing is about ten minutes after getting these icons disappearing and error messages, the system seems to return to normal. This morning I started the computer, let it run for 20 minutes without touching anything. Then I clicked on an icon and get the same problem: it gets sent to the Recycle Bin with the error messages.

Oh, and when I go to the Recycle Bin and click on the icon or document to restore it, I get a message asking me if I really want to delete it (??)

Thanks for your help or pointing me in the right direction.

 

[Kaktussoft]

The problem gets worse when I create another user account and use that account instead of the Administrator account
=>how do you mean with "gets worse"? It doesn't work at all on ALL shortcuts(?)

"Could not find this item. This is no longer in C:\...Verify this item's location."
=>is that the file you're trying to open? can you open the file in explorer?

 

[robhull]

Hi Kaktussoft,

Thanks for your reply...

When I go into another user account and I click on any icon, I get this error message:

"FILE ACCESS DENIED. You'll need to provide administrator permission to delete this file."

And that message window keeps automatically duplicating dozens of times so that the drop shadow becomes a a sooty black border. This happens when I click on any icon just one time. So, to answer your question, this is the result on any shortcut, document, or program icon.

When I click on a file or folder icon in Explorer (as an Administrator), the same problem happens: the icons disappear and go straight to the Recycle Bin with the same error messages ("Could not find this item....").

 

[Kaktussoft]

What happens if you run that exe file in explorer, so NOT the shortcut?
And what happens if you open a xls, doc etx file (not shortcut) in explorer? Do you have to doubleclick or singleclick in that case?

Right click on an shortcurt. What option is bold there?

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

I don't normally suggest this because it seems like I'm taking the easy route to solve your problem, but in view of the things you have already tried I'd be inclined to go for a clean install.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

I'm assuming of course that you have a Windows DVD. If not, it'll be a factory restore you'll need to carry out.

 

[Kaktussoft]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html
Take the reg file of the LNK extension. give it a try

 

[robhull]

When I right click on an icon, the icon disappears, the normal context menu pops up, and when I click on Open, I get the "can't find" error message again. The first time this problem happened I did go into the Programs folder via Windows Explorer and anytime I clicked on a program directory/folder, say Skype, it would disappear and get sent to the Recycle Bin. So the problem happens with shortcuts, folders, documents, and executables.

The other day (after I had this problem) I installed Stardock's free Object Dock. It sets up your desktop icons along the bottom of the desktop, similar to Mac OS. When I clicked on any of those icons, the program would open. I have Windows Explorer on Object Dock and when I opened Windows Explorer and clicked on any icon, say a video, it would disappear, get sent to the Recycle Bin, and of course the error message.

I can't do the Clean Install because I don't have a Windows disk. And I'd rather not do a Factory Restore. This disappearing icon problem only happens in the first ten minutes or so after start-up, or I should say the first ten minutes after using the computer.

I'll try Default File Type Associations - Restore and see what happens.

Thanks.

 

[Kaktussoft]

so rightclick on any file or shortcut deletes the file/shortcut (even if you don't select anything in submenu?). Even folders. How the heck do you browse to the skype folder? You first have to browse to program files folder to see the skype folder. Is the program files folder not deleted if you do that?

 

[Kaktussoft]

After 10 minutes the problem disappears and everything is working as expected?

 

[robhull]

Yes, that's right. I was able to click on the Programs folder and open it but not on any of the individual programs. I only did that once. And yes, after about ten minutes or so everything returns to normal. (I have to restore any icons/documents/files/programs from the Recycle Bin though.) I can click on an icon and have it open the program or document with no problems. And I get no error messages when I turn on or turn off the computer.

 

[Kaktussoft]

Check to see if this problem is related to program files only! Most software and shortcuts point to that location.
Put a file for example test.txt (not a shortcut) on your desktop for example. Does it open normally? Is the problem account related? Login under another account and test. Or make a testaccount first

 

[robhull]

I've tried both of those before. Documents and executables disappear. I have Explorer++ on the desktop. It's a standalone (no need to install) software, similar to Windows Explorer. I would click on the icon to open, it would disappear, error message, etc. But the program would open! And then when I clicked on any file or folder in Explorer++, the same problems would occur: vanishing icon, error messages (always the same one, multiplied at least a dozen times).

The other day I created another user account "Testaccount" and that's when I said the problem was "even worse" than the administrator account. When I clicked on an icon, it wouldn't disappear but I'd get this message: "FILE ACCESS DENIED. You'll need to provide administrative permission to delete this file." And that message would automatically duplicate itself many times. Needless to say, I wasn't trying to delete anything. And in that test account, the computer froze. I had to unplug it to turn it off.

 

[robhull]

I've tried the various fixes and my icons/folders/documents, etc. are still getting deleted when I click on them after start-up. Surely, I can't be the only one in the world with this problem. Even Microsoft Answers couldn't help me. Any other ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks...

 

[richc46]

Same problem in safe mode, to me indicates a potential hardware problem; if so its probably memory
Guide to using Memtest86+ - Geeks to Go Forums

 

[robhull]

Okay, I'll try it. Thanks. I did run Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool and got the message: "No memory errors were detected." Maybe Memtest86+ will find something.

 

[Janny77]

Default File Type Associations - Restore
Take the reg file of the LNK extension. Worked on my situation on laptop too (samsung)

If that doesn't help would suggesting clean install from scatch, if that's not option then use repair install (almost same), or use your restore cd's and say Complete restore (naturally this will overwrite all data that you didn't have on backup cd's)

 

[richc46]

Okay, I'll try it. Thanks. I did run Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool and got the message: "No memory errors were detected." Maybe Memtest86+ will find something.

The test must be run for 8 passes. Then take a good stick and test each slot for 8 passes. We are talking overnight at least. This is a through test, if done correctly and if no errors are found we can look elsewhere.

Problem even in safe mode, I lean toward hardware.

Go to search type event viewer. In viewer go to adminstrative (left panel) look for errors at the time of the problem

 

[FliGi7]

I highly doubt that an action that happens upon clicking an icon is a memory issue. Memory corruptions would be causing other symptoms. You've got a screwed up system for whatever reason and it appears that the easiest solution is a repair install or a clean reinstall. I have a feeling you're going to spend way more time trying to track down this issue to no avail when you could instead just start over with a clean slate.

 

[richc46]

If you want to go with the idea that the system is screwed, you may want to go back with a system image. It will most likely solve the problem without the hassles of a reinstall. That is the purpose of system image.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/675-system-image-recovery.html

 

[robhull]

Thanks. Janny77: I tried that the other day (Default File Type LNK). Didn't work. I think I'm going to have to try the System Image Recovery, as FliGi7 says, I'm wasting more time trying to figure this out.