Solved Can not run programs/invalid locations/errors

I am using a lenovo PC. Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit service pack 2. 4GB DDR3 RAM. My computer is messed up. The speed is much much slower. The theme WAS windows vista aero, but it is now the classic windows theme. There are only 2 items in the desktop (recycle bin and network magic folder) When I start my computer and get to the desktop I get this error message "Location Not Available C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop refers to a location that is unavailable. It could be on a hard drive on this computer, or on a network. Check to make sure that the disk is properly inserted or that you are connected to the internet or your network, and then try again. If it still can not be located the information might have been moved to a different location." I can not do system restore because every time I try I get the message "There are no backups on this computer".(I had backups yesterday, but now it says I do not) For almost any program I try to run it says "the dependency or service group failed to start". I can get my computer into safe mode and the programs do work there. I was not able to do a system restore during safe mode either. I ran a full system scan with Norton 360 during safe mode but it only found tracking cookies and I removed them. That is what is happening to me right now. What happened right before this happened is the following: I wanted to use my PS3 controller for my PC so I downloaded this program from the link provided: "http://www.motioninjoy.com/download" I downloaded the "Version 0.4.0002" "64bits Windows vista,Windows 7: site 1". Then I followed the steps on this site : "http://www.motioninjoy.com/help/sixaxis-dualshock-3-driver-install-instructions" . Apparently this was some type of driver which I clicked OK to when windows asked me if I wanted to install it. I got to step 6. So what I was supposed to do was restart my computer and press F8 to get to the startup thing screen. Also something you should know, I downloaded windows updates and I needed to restart for them to take effect, so the updates were applied during this restart. Then as it said in the instructions I chose the "Disable Driver Signature Enforcement" option. As it was showing me the "welcome" screen it also said that the updates were taking effect. As my computer took me to my desktop, I noticed the problems. All the problems listed above are what was happening. I could not even access event viewer. I could open up Norton 360 from the little part of the taskbar at the bottom right of the screen. I did a diagnostic and it said that my CPU speed was very slow and I should consider upgrading to a new one(it never said this before) Also it said that the number of logical CPU's active was 4. It was after this that I rebooted in safe mode and changed the start bar so I could access the "Run" and the administrative options part of the computer. This also was the time when I ran the norton 360 scan. I also removed "motionjoy" ( the program I was in the process of installing). I am not sure if by removing it via control panel it also removed the driver I installed with it. I also ran "regcure" and it fixed about 390 things (this is normal). Then I restarted my computer on normal mode and all my desktop icons which I had before were now there. Also the "run" and administrative options were now on my "start bar". I am still unable to use programs and keep on getting the "the dependency or service group failed to start" error. Also since this problem started I have had no internet connection to my computer but the wireless still works around my house. Now, I do not receive the error message "Location Not Available C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop refers to a location that is unavailable. It could be on a hard drive on this computer, or on a network. Check to make sure that the disk is properly inserted or that you are connected to the internet or your network, and then try again. If it still can not be located the information might have been moved to a different location" when I start up my computer. I am still unable to use programs. When I tried to check the event log in safe mode it gave me this error message "Event log service is unavailable. Verify that the service is running"
Please help, If any information is needed just post. Thank you in advance for all your help.

Hi and welcome to the forums .

I would first and foremost recommend you do a system restore using the Vista Installation Disk (http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76905-system-restore-how.html), hopefully this will fix any registry based problems caused by corruption, malware etc.

This may fix your PC but if it doesn't or some things still aren't right (and if you are able to perform this) I would recommend first a check for viruses using Malware Byte's Antimalware (Malwarebytes, click on the free version link), this will find and hopefully remove any malware or viruses.

The next thing I would recommend is to attempt a repair install (http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html), if it's still not working. This will patch, replace or fix any damaged or missing system files that are required for Windows to run correctly.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Oli

The problem is Fixed! I used the Recovery CD and it all got fixed. Thank you for your time and help.

I'm glad I could help and that you fixed your problem.

As you are new to the forum I thought you might like to know how to mark threads as solved as well as the uses of some of the other buttons.

To the top right of this post you will see 3 icons. An orange (+), a set of scales and a red and white warning triangle.

The orange (+) or blue (-) denotes whether a user is on or offline (orange = on, blue = off).

The scales are used to give rep points; click this button if someone has helped you significantly or solved your queries (only give this to posts that you think really deserve it).

The red and white warning triangle is used to denote either an abusive post OR to mark a thread as solved (just put solved in the box that comes up and the admins or moderators will mark it solved).

I'll mark it solved for you this time.

Oli