Setup Programs in the Online Services Folder May Not Function Correctly (232266)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
This article was previously published under Q232266

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to use the Setup programs located in the Online Services folder on your desktop, you may receive the following error message:
The item filename that this shortcut refers to has been changed or moved. The nearest match, based on size, date, and type, is: 'nearest match'. Do you want this shortcut to point to this item?

CAUSE

This problem can occur if any of the following conditions exists:
  • There is an Online~1 folder in the Program Files folder.
  • You upgraded to Windows 98 Second Edition after you renamed or deleted the Online Services folder.
  • You uninstalled Online Services using the Add/Remove Programs tool before upgrading to Windows 98 Second Edition.

RESOLUTION

To work around this problem, use either of the following methods:

Method 1

  1. If the Online Services folder is open, close it.
  2. In Windows Explorer, rename the Online~1 folder in the Program Files folder to OLSTemp.

    For information about how to rename a folder, click Start, click Help, click the Index tab, type renaming, and then double-click the "Renaming folders" topic.

    NOTE: Do not rename the folder directly to the correct long folder name. Doing so may cause shortcuts to programs in the folder not to work.
  3. Rename the Online Services folder to OLS-OLD.
  4. Rename the OLSTemp folder you created in step 2 to Online Services.
  5. Quit Windows Explorer.

Method 2

  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  3. Click the Windows Setup tab.
  4. Click to clear the Online Services check box.
  5. Click Apply.
  6. After the "Updating System Setting" dialog box is displayed, click to select the Online Services check box.
  7. Click OK.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

The Program Files folder may contain a folder called "!$!$!.me" with shortcuts for the Online Services programs. When you attempt to run any of the programs in the "!$!$!.me" folder, the appropriate Online Service program starts.

For information about how to rename folders in the Program Files folder, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

188162 Incorrect Folder Names in Program Files Folder

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/6/2002
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB232266
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.