Friday, November 21, 2008

Location is not available: C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\desktop refers to a location that is unavailable.

If you have anti-virus software installed and are simply looking for a solution, go to http://nw360.blogspot.com/2009/08/location-is-not-available.html.


This desktop issue has happened twice.

When I turned on my laptop, Vista takes an extended period of time to show you it is "preparing your desktop".

After the desktop appears, a message window pops up with the title ""Location is not available". The content is


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 cannot be located the information might have been moved to a different location.
Moreover, the desktop theme is changed to windows classic.

The solution is quite simple, reboot the PC. If this doesn't work, go to Last Known Good Configuration (advanced) when you start Vista. This option enables you to start Windows Vista with the last registry and driver configuration that worked successfully. How to access this startup option, please visit Windows Vista Advanced Boot Options.

If both approaches provided above are not working, try to restore/ recover your vista system. If you have Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) installed, start it and do the system restore or system recovery. Alternatively, you can access the System Recovery Options menu via the Windows installation disc. Refer to http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-US/help/2b3724d1-f4ad-5b26-16dc-3e9e66f4be5e1033.mspx for details.

As I pointed out, the cause may be the Norton anti-virus software. If all the approaches don't work, try to uninstall the software even under the circumstance that the desktop location is not available. Using Norton removal tool to make sure you have uninstalled Norton products completely. The Norton removal tool is available at http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039.

However, what caused this problem?
  1. It may be a software conflict.
  2. The software is associating with the system tightly.
  3. It may be an anti-virus software.
  4. The biggest suspect is Symantec/Norton security softwares.
OK, the cause of this issue still remains unknown, but I do think it is Symantec/Norton software. Suppose you have Symantec/Norton anti-virus software installed. Start your PC, when see the desktop, shut down the computer immediately. What will happen on next startup? Before using Norton anti-virus software, I didn't have this problem at all with McAfee total protection. Refer to the section above to get the information on how to uninstall Norton products.

Update: 25/08/2009

Some people left their comments here and it seemed their problems were not caused by Norton. However, the common point is that they are caused by the anti-virus software. Therefore, if you have this problem, uninstall your anti-virus software completely. Use the official uninstall tool if it is necessary. Then reboot your system. Now the problem should be solved. So far, I haven't met this problem using McAfee and Avira. If you would like to stick to your original anti-virus software, try to use different versions.

Where there is a major version of the anti-virus software released, especially Norton, I recommend uninstall the old version first then install the new one. DO NOT over install the new version on the old one.

28 comments:

  1. I HATE NORTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I HATE KRISTINA!!!!!!!!!!
    (Norton)

    ReplyDelete
  3. i tried it, but it is still remains the same.the last good known configuration (advanced) it doesnt work! i dont know what to do.is there any solution to solve this problem?

    ReplyDelete
  4. See the updated post above.

    ReplyDelete
  5. restore your system whit the safe mode.
    1- Restore whit the command: msconfig.exe bofore running your operating system.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Vista seems to have trouble dealing with directories that have a period in the name. ie: C:\A.S.K.

    It will not allow you to rename the directory, however, so use a more intiutive operating system (at least to fix the issue, if not going forward).

    Download and burn Ubuntu to a CD (www.ubuntu.com). From there, you can view your Windows drive, and rename/fix the file or directory that is causing the issue.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
    I thought my system was FUBAR, but the Last Known Good Configuration (advanced) thing worked for me.
    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  8. Norton is RUBBISH!! Nothing but trouble i agree with Kristina

    ReplyDelete
  9. i have this problem .... i did a system recovery uninstalled norton and everything else associated to norton, then installed kaspersky as my anti-virus... after 3 days of the computer working i am having the same problem?? is it because of kaspersky??? please advise

    ReplyDelete
  10. Try to use norton removal to uninstall norton.

    ReplyDelete
  11. If this doesn't work, go to Last Known Good Configuration (advanced) when you start Vista. This option enables you to start Windows Vista with the last registry and driver configuration that worked successfully.
    I did this and it works great TILL you shut off the computer. When I boot it back up it gives me the error message again. Is there away to get ride of the error without having to f8 everytime I boot up? Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi, do you have Norton products installed in your computer?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Having the same problem as above and not using Norton, but Norton did come on my system as a trial ver. Removed it and installed Kaspersky (which works great). Do not want to do a recovery yet. Any other suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi, Jean-Guy,
    Make sure you have uninstalled Norton completely. You can try the Norton removal tool at http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039. If it doesn't work, check the solution at http://forums.techguy.org/windows-vista-7/808717-solved-c-windows-system32-config.html. But according to the feedback, this solution is a perfect one.

    ReplyDelete
  15. go to your user directiry, copy the Desktop and paste it into the locatin that was in the error message. IF there is a Desktop in that folder already, overwrite it. That will fix the prob. you might have reset some personalizations.

    ReplyDelete
  16. i have the same problem lately and i'm very sure it is because of the Kaspersky Internet Security 2010. I used the Kaspersky IS 2009 since a year and everything was all right; a week ago i updated to the 2010 version and since then my laptop--sony vaio--often starts with blank profile. A reboot it seems fix the problem, but im considering downgrading the kaspersky since i have other issues with it--the internet connections have become remarkable slower. Anyway DO NOT uninstall windows because of this problem cuz its a service/software problem.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I dont have the fucking norton, but still fucked up with this fucking problem. How to fuck this fucking problem exactly, i dont want to be a mother fucker!?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hi,

    I was getting this error too and solved using the post under given on IToperationz.com
    http://www.itoperationz.com/2009/08/desktop-refers-to-a-location-that-is-unavailable/

    ReplyDelete
  19. F:\F refers to a location that is unavilable. 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 cannot be located, the information might have been moved to a different location.

    ReplyDelete
  20. what can i do to restore the folders

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have this same problem, will try the fixes you presented, but its not caused by antivirus. It was caused by changing hdd's while it was under hibernation. Windows got completely owned on both ends, and will try to fix tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  22. The kids installed an XP version of Zoo Tycoon on a Vista machine. When they tried to save the game in progress we received this same message. I have removed the anti-virus software, which was Norton, but the problem remains. When I attempted to use the System Recovery Tool, it stated there were no saved points. So, the machine is pointing to the wrong place (I have used System Restore before, and I think it creates a new mountpoint (?) every week). I've read about the possibility of 2 Desktop folders, or something like that, but I am not able to access "Computer" or the command line, DOS prompt or any other function that would allow me to view folders, files and locations. Is there some other way to view and manipulate this configuration?

    ReplyDelete
  23. I did a fresh load of Vista home pre and let the 82 updates install over night. Next morning it was in hibernation. Hit the power and it started up with this error. Don't let your computer hibernate when installing anything or it may just hose you OS

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hello! Could someone let me know what could i do with the same problem in window 7

    ReplyDelete
  25. I reboot my computer and it starts working normally.Thanks.......issue resolved

    ReplyDelete
  26. thank you.........

    ReplyDelete
  27. What if you've never had Norton Anti-Virus installed? I've only ever had Avast on my computer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, installing the latest version of Avast and updating your Windows system should should solve your problem.

      Delete