BleepingComputer.com: Invalid Drive J : \

I have Windows XP Media Center Edition. Version 2002 Service Pack 3. When I try to install the adobe reader update I get an error message: Invalid Drive J:\
When i try to install other softer like Office 2007 i get the same message. The computer shows that the hard drive is Local Disk (C:)
I found the error on the adobe website error 1327. The instructions are :

Choose Start > Run.
In the Open box type Regedit and click OK.

Browse to the following keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
# Verify the drive, path, or variables are valid for each of the keys.
For each of these keys on the right hand side there is a Data column. Each entry that refers to a variable or a path name - each value needs to refer to a valid drive, path or variable. These path names may be unique to your individual PC - to restore the defaults it may be necessary to examine a known working machine, or contact a Microsoft Windows technician for additional help.

I can run the Regedit and open the registry editor but I am not sure what I am looking for or what I should change. I can see the folders and open them. I do not want make things worse.
Thank you.

This post has been edited by grg.clny: 08 January 2011 - 10:56 PM

Do you have a J drive?

In my registry, all of the entries to the far left (for these paths) are (%USERPROFILE%\Desktop) for example.
No refs to drives.

This post has been edited by FrankOtheMountaiN: 08 January 2011 - 11:16 PM

I followed this file path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders

I do not see a reference to any drive either.

The J drive is the Disconnected Network Drive.

Do you use it? I don't use mapped drives. Is it possible to unmap it, then try your installation, and then map it back after?

I do not think I use it. I do not know anything about "mapped drives" ? Not sure how to unmap.
I inherited this used laptop for christmas.

That would just be a shortcut to a folder or drive on another computer.
If you didn't make it, then you don't need it.

You can just go to "my computer" on the desktop (if you have that!) and see if J is listed there.

Or get there from start box on taskbar.

Is there a J drive there? Just right click on it, then select disconnect.

This post has been edited by FrankOtheMountaiN: 09 January 2011 - 09:25 AM

On my desktop there is a folder shortcut named "old c drive" ?
When I go to my computer I see :Local Disk (C:) and Disconnected Network Drive (J:)
I right clicked on "Disconnected Network Drive (J:)" and clicked on Disonnect
A window opened with the message: The network connection could not be found.
Not sure what all this means
thanks for the help.
I would restore this computer but i am not sure what i would lose or how to do it. I do not have anything stored on here but i do not know what software i would lose?

This post has been edited by grg.clny: 09 January 2011 - 10:10 AM

start box/run/ (type this in box and hit enter:) cmd

copy and paste this in the command prompt window:

Net use * /delete /y

then hit enter. This should remove all mapped network drives.


When cmd prompt opens up it will have a line like this:
C:\Documents and Settings\Frank (Yours won't say frank) That's just where you are at the moment.
So the whole command will look like this, minus the frank (your id will be there)

C:\Documents and Settings\Frank>Net use * /delete /y (hit enter)
(it may shoot a warning that your network drives will be gone, that's ok, because that's what we are doing.


I just created 2 network mapped drives, ran the above, and they vanished.

This post has been edited by FrankOtheMountaiN: 09 January 2011 - 11:23 AM

I typed cmd in the run window.
The dos (i think that is what it is called) window opened.
it showed something like this:
C:\Documents and Settings\(name)>
I copied and pasted the comand: Net use * /delete /y (hit enter)
I then received this message:There are no entries in the list.

Ok! I have to make a disconnected network drive and try to delete it. Back soon.

I made one on another PC, mapped it, then I deleted it.
When I went to connect to it it under "my computer" it gave me errors.
I just right clicked on it and selected "disconnect" and it was deleted.

I know that wasn't working for you.

This post has been edited by FrankOtheMountaiN: 09 January 2011 - 12:03 PM

OK I will standby.

Well, I'm no expert on this subject, and searching the net shows it is a prickly problem. It probably had something to do with the PC being part of a domain, and if it is running login scripts.

I would go to control panel and try to create a new user(with administrator rights) under user accounts, hopefully the account you are on now is an administrator acct.
Try that and see if things get more normal. Otherwise, I cant really think of anything else, I'm sorry.

As far as installing programs, you can usually change the install path of an installation at the beginning. If the default path says J, then change it to C.

I tried the other disk that came with Office 2007 and entered the Product key code and it shows that it is currently installing. I do not know what to do if i cannot update other software. I have never done anything with users accounts but i will try that and see what happens.
.........Well it was installing but now the progress bar has stopped moving??

Let it sit. Office 07 takes awhile to install.

It did install. I am not sure what is going on if i have trouble again i will look at the user accounts.
thanks. I cannot complain about a free laptop for christmas.
Thank you