C drive problem
 

Last time I tried to defrag my computer it crashed, and the icon for my C drive has been missing. Also, I cannot access it by double clicking. Everytime I double click my C drive, it gives me a window that says:

"Program Not Found
Windows cannot find setup.exe
This program is needed for opening files of type 'File'."


But I can access it by right clicking "Open."

I've tried searching for "setup.exe," but I'm not even sure what setup program I'm looking for. For a while it was directed to "setup.exe" for a driver for my cd-rom. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you all for your time!

Edit: I'm running Windows 98 on an old Compaq Presario. Here's a pic that might help:
<img src="http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=1199108c-54eb-5834-18c0-4875140b2352&size="

Re-Edit:
Ok, I now know that it has to do with <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;228903&Product=w98" target="_new">the file not being associated with the correct program.</a> I'm up to step 2 in the suggest resolutions, but I have no idea how to reassociate it back to being recognized as a "drive."

I'm puzzled...

Try looking at the contents of the drive by using RightClick->Open and see if there is a file called 'autorun.inf' or the sorts....

Do you have the original install disks? Sometimes it's better to backup your data and just reinstall everything.

The install disk for Win98? I think I should have it. But just in case, I should go use the search feature on TFP for downloadable links.

What would be the easiest way to backup my files? Burn them to CD? Copy to an external hard drive? Osmosis?

I'm stumped as well.

I found a couple of answers related, but not exactly your problem. This means they probably won't work, but what the hell?

They suggest running sfc (system file checker) from the command box.
They also suggest that TweakUI should be able to repair icons, associations so on, so forth. It does it in WinXP, albiet poorly.

It's been a while since I've bumped around in 98, but the 'file' would have to be associated with windows explorer, right?

Maybe you can shift/right-click to "open with" and browse for windows explorer....

If all else fails and you had the install disks, I'd just re-install. I know you can do an in-place install which would overwrite all the system files, but leave most of your stuff alone.

Yeah, it's supposed to open with Explorer. But I have no idea how to set it up that way.

Luckily I can still get to it through shift/righ click "open as." It's taking some time to getting used to, but it still works. I'll probably get around to backing up/reinstalling everytihng this weekend. Thank you everyone for all of your help! :)

Possibly swen infection
 

I've seen Swen to that to a computer before, it rewrites how windows interprets certain executables. Check out sarc.com and look up swen and how to remove it, there are a few registry entries you have to change from dos before you can do anything in windows, like say running the removal tool.

Set the file type with the program to execute setup.exe...

In other words: OPEN With explorer.exe

( The program is needed for opening files of "Type": SETUP.EXE
is EXPLORER.EXE, not IEXPLORER.EXE.)

Did you try this ?

Yes, I found and opened it. It says:

[autorun]
open=setup.exe
icon=setup.exe

But I'm not exactly sure what to do with this. Help please?

Did you try scanning it for viruses yet? Like the one I mentioned above, Swen?

I've been scanning it with AVG, but it hasn't picked up anything. But thanks for your help, and that goes to everyone else too.

Try scanning it at housecall.antivirus.com

Why is there an autorun.inf on your hard drive? I'd delete it, seems like the culprit to me.