I am constantly getting the error message 

"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the 
appropriate permissions to access the item."

when I try to access nearly anything from the start menu or the My computer folder. 
On the desktop and some folders when I click nothing happens. The only thing working 
are some of my audio files. 

I have tried booting to the dos prompt to fix the registry with the  scanreg /fix 
command but that did not seem to help the problem. Since I can't even get regedit 
to work (keeps asking me what file to open it with) I do not know what to do and 
I could use some help. Thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

>I found this article in support.microsoft http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=264481


On Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 6:07 pm, JcChesh wrote:
>I am constantly getting the error message
>
>"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the
>appropriate permissions to access the item."
>
>when I try to access nearly anything from the start menu or the My computer folder.
>On the desktop and some folders when I click nothing happens. The only thing working
>are some of my audio files.
>
>I have tried booting to the dos prompt to fix the registry with the scanreg /fix
>command but that did not seem to help the problem. Since I can't even get regedit
>to work (keeps asking me what file to open it with) I do not know what to do and
>I could use some help. Thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I have the same problem. I cannot access anything from the Start menu but Run and Programs. Desktop icons not working, other than anti-virus programs/scans. Explorer error comes up each time I try to access: explorer has caused an error in helper101.dll


On Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 6:07 pm, JcChesh wrote:
>I am constantly getting the error message
>
>"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the
>appropriate permissions to access the item."
>
>when I try to access nearly anything from the start menu or the My computer folder.
>On the desktop and some folders when I click nothing happens. The only thing working
>are some of my audio files.
>
>I have tried booting to the dos prompt to fix the registry with the scanreg /fix
>command but that did not seem to help the problem. Since I can't even get regedit
>to work (keeps asking me what file to open it with) I do not know what to do and
>I could use some help. Thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I wasn't getting the helper error like you but other than being able to access some media files and open a few folders nothing else would execute. The microsoft help file was useless to me because DUH I didnt have anything open and nothing on the task bar etc. loaded at startup. How could you have a multiple file loading error if nothing loads or executes? I suspect something else was wrong. My only fix was using the dos prompt and the scanreg /restore command to take the registry back to the day I had reformatted the drive. Unfortunately I found out I had aquired a 4 bad sectors during this "cannot access" fiasco so I might have to buy a new drive soon. I really wish there was a place online that had clear answers to these wierd Microsoft errors. One tip for Sharon or anyone else getting strange errors: If you have a Sygate firewall, Norton, and Spysweeper DO NOT run them at the same time. I think that is what started my problems.


On Sunday, February 20, 2005 at 7:18 am, Sharon Slayton wrote:
>I have the same problem. I cannot access anything from the Start menu but Run and
>Programs. Desktop icons not working, other than anti-virus programs/scans. Explorer
>error comes up each time I try to access: explorer has caused an error in helper101.dll
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Same problem. The Microsoft help page is no use, as it suggests the problem is when trying to open multiple programs at the same time, but I am only trying to open one at a time, via start/programs menu, or double clicking shortcut icons. Something to do with a com.dll file corrupted?


On Sunday, February 20, 2005 at 7:18 am, Sharon Slayton wrote:
>I have the same problem. I cannot access anything from the Start menu but Run and
>Programs. Desktop icons not working, other than anti-virus programs/scans. Explorer
>error comes up each time I try to access: explorer has caused an error in helper101.dll
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Well, since I posted, I had to reinstall the entire ME operating system, wipe out the hard drive, etc. Virus scans and various other suggested solutions did not solve the problem. So, I went ahead...long process, but it's done. Hope you find an easier way!


On Saturday, February 26, 2005 at 9:34 am, Mike wrote:
>
>Same problem. The Microsoft help page is no use, as it suggests the problem is when
>trying to open multiple programs at the same time, but I am only trying to open one
>at a time, via start/programs menu, or double clicking shortcut icons. Something
>to do with a com.dll file corrupted?
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

hijackthis.exe will fix this problem however be careful what you delete.


On Saturday, February 26, 2005 at 9:44 am, Sharon Slayton wrote:
>
>Well, since I posted, I had to reinstall the entire ME operating system, wipe out
>the hard drive, etc. Virus scans and various other suggested solutions did not solve
>the problem. So, I went ahead...long process, but it's done. Hope you find an easier
>way!
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

If you have Norton Antivirus, uncheck "enable Microsoft office protection" (or something along those lines of those words). Then reboot. Let me know if this works. Mitch


On Saturday, February 26, 2005 at 9:34 am, Mike wrote:
>
>Same problem. The Microsoft help page is no use, as it suggests the problem is when
>trying to open multiple programs at the same time, but I am only trying to open one
>at a time, via start/programs menu, or double clicking shortcut icons. Something
>to do with a com.dll file corrupted?
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Unfortunately, me, and it sounds like others, can't run hijack this to try and fix the problem. No .exe, .zip etc. will run for me.


On Thursday, March 3, 2005 at 1:32 pm, Andy wrote:
>hijackthis.exe will fix this problem however be careful what you delete.
>
>
>

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

I find this is usually related to anti-virus software. Boot into safe mode and disable your security software using msconfig. I realize this thread is very old, but it still pops up promenently on Google.


On Thursday, February 17, 2005 at 6:07 pm, JcChesh wrote:
>I am constantly getting the error message
>
>"Windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the
>appropriate permissions to access the item."
>
>when I try to access nearly anything from the start menu or the My computer folder.
>On the desktop and some folders when I click nothing happens. The only thing working
>are some of my audio files.
>
>I have tried booting to the dos prompt to fix the registry with the scanreg /fix
>command but that did not seem to help the problem. Since I can't even get regedit
>to work (keeps asking me what file to open it with) I do not know what to do and
>I could use some help. Thanks

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

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