Although my PC appears to be working OK, I have found that several programs have disappeared from the START - All Programs, list. I have checked explorer and the programs are still there. Can anyone help me to re-instate the programs to my start list? (Even windows items like system tools, defrag etc are missing!)......Thanks

You can try a system restore.

Also:

As to System Tools try this:

http://windowsxp.mvps.org/Accessories.htm

As for "regular" programs you can try:

Method 1: create new shortcuts
Search for the executable program of the application (e.g., winword.exe,
frontpg.exe, etc.). Right-click the application, choose Send to and then
the
Desktop (create shortcut) option. This will place a shortcut on the
desktop.

Create any additional shortcuts necessary. To create a
shortcut in
the Start>Programs menu, follow these steps:
1. create a shortcut as explained above
2. hold a right-click on the icon and drag the shortcut and hold it over the
Start
button until the Start menu appears
3. drag the shortcut up and hold it over the Programs menu until the
Programs menu
appears (again, with the right-click button still pressed)
4. hold the shortcut over the Programs menu and drop it off
5. choose the option to Move Here

WOW!! An answer within 30 minutes. Thanks for the link to restore System Tools, this worked fine. I'll create new shortcuts as described - wonder why they disappeared in the first place?
Thanks again Jephree
PS System Restore didn't work!

Hard to say what happened from here

Are you the only user? Were these programs installed for all users?

The missing Sys Tools & Restore are more troubling.

First reactivate Restore by turning it off then back on.

Have you run a Virus Scan? Do you use "Cleaners"? Did you add any new software or updates? Windows Updates?

You might want to run hijack this & post a log in the hijack this section.

please follow owen's Instructions and then post your log in the Spyware, Adware, Viruses and HijackThis Logs section.

Originally Posted by tontomactavish

Although my PC appears to be working OK, I have found that several programs have disappeared from the START - All Programs, list. I have checked explorer and the programs are still there. Can anyone help me to re-instate the programs to my start list? (Even windows items like system tools, defrag etc are missing!)......Thanks

This is what worked for me when I lost MS Office from my start menu ALL PROGRAMS list.
From start menu click Set Program Access and Defaults.
Click Change or Remove Programs
Select "missing" program
Click Change or remove button
Click Reinstall or Repair
Check radio button detect and repair errors in my ****** installation
That will allow you to also check radio button restore my start menu shortcuts
Click install. This will take a few minutes on a large program like MS Office.
When complete you should have your shortcut back. NOTE: This will not remove existing files.