Start Menu Prog Folders show as "empty"

I'm pretty much stumped on this one. I have a HP Pavilion N5415 laptop (XP HOme) that I suspect is virus infected. Anyway, all the program folders in the Start Menu show as empty. For example, if I try to access something on the menu: Start > Programs > Creative > empty Start > Programs > Musicmatch ...

Windows Software 5498 This topic was started by ,


data/avatar/default/avatar13.webp

149 Posts
Location -
Joined 2001-09-02
I'm pretty much stumped on this one. I have a HP Pavilion N5415 laptop (XP HOme) that I suspect is virus infected. Anyway, all the program folders in the Start Menu show as "empty". For example, if I try to access something on the menu:
 
Start > Programs > Creative > empty
Start > Programs > Musicmatch > empty
 
Anything I try to view in the Start Menu shows as empty, except Norton & Adaware, the 2 programs I've added since receiving the pc. I scanned it with Norton 2004, & also from sarc.com & trendmicro.com too, but found nothing. Adaware found a few pieces of junkware, but only the usual stuff.
 
The programs are still in their respective folders, & execute without issue. It's only the start Menu that is messed up. I tried googling but found mostly topics on how to clean up the Start Menu, nothing specific to my problem.
 
Thoughts?

Participate on our website and join the conversation

You have already an account on our website? Use the link below to login.
Login
Create a new user account. Registration is free and takes only a few seconds.
Register
This topic is archived. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast.