F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Notebooks Can't open, run, or get my programs working on this Lenovo computer right now.

Can't open, run, or get my programs working on this Lenovo computer right now.

Can't open, run, or get my programs working on this Lenovo computer right now.

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Splax67
Member
190
10-23-2026, 12:43 AM
#1
Hello. I have a problem with my Lenovo laptop (Ideapad 720S-14IKB). I found this forum while searching online, so I thought I'd post here. English isn't my native language, so sorry for any mistakes. A few days ago, while using the laptop, the screen suddenly went black and I got these words: "Default Boot Device Missing or Boot Failed. Insert Recovery Media and Hit any key. Then Select 'Boot Manager' to choose a new Boot Device or to Boot Recovery Media". I clicked Ok. I don't remember what happened after that, but I restarted the computer. This only happened once. Since then, I can use the computer, I can browse the internet, but I can't open or run most files and programs (I can't even open a Word document, notepad, snipping tool, etc.). For example, when I try to open Notepad, I get this message: "Network Error. Windows cannot access C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.Windows...\Notepad.exe. Check the spelling of the name. Otherwise, there might be a problem with your network. To try to identify and resolve network problems, click Diagnose". When I click Diagnose, I get "An error occured while troubleshooting: A problem is preventing the troubleshooter from starting". I can't download anything either. When I try to download something, I get this message: "The network path was either typed incorrectly, does not exist, or the network provider is not currently available. Please try retyping the path or contact your network administrator". And also the "Devices and drives" in the "This PC" folder now says "Windows (C: ) NTFS" and "LENOVO (D: ) 24.9 GB free of 24.9 GB". When I click on the NTFS one, it says "C:\ is not accessible. Access is denied". I tried to reset/reinstall the pc by removing everything, but it didn't fix the problems. I already had a backup of all my files so I'm not worried about that, but I am wondering if there is a way to fix this or if I have to buy a new laptop? Is there anything I can do? I've had this laptop since 2017 so I realize it's a bit old. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
S
Splax67
10-23-2026, 12:43 AM #1

Hello. I have a problem with my Lenovo laptop (Ideapad 720S-14IKB). I found this forum while searching online, so I thought I'd post here. English isn't my native language, so sorry for any mistakes. A few days ago, while using the laptop, the screen suddenly went black and I got these words: "Default Boot Device Missing or Boot Failed. Insert Recovery Media and Hit any key. Then Select 'Boot Manager' to choose a new Boot Device or to Boot Recovery Media". I clicked Ok. I don't remember what happened after that, but I restarted the computer. This only happened once. Since then, I can use the computer, I can browse the internet, but I can't open or run most files and programs (I can't even open a Word document, notepad, snipping tool, etc.). For example, when I try to open Notepad, I get this message: "Network Error. Windows cannot access C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.Windows...\Notepad.exe. Check the spelling of the name. Otherwise, there might be a problem with your network. To try to identify and resolve network problems, click Diagnose". When I click Diagnose, I get "An error occured while troubleshooting: A problem is preventing the troubleshooter from starting". I can't download anything either. When I try to download something, I get this message: "The network path was either typed incorrectly, does not exist, or the network provider is not currently available. Please try retyping the path or contact your network administrator". And also the "Devices and drives" in the "This PC" folder now says "Windows (C: ) NTFS" and "LENOVO (D: ) 24.9 GB free of 24.9 GB". When I click on the NTFS one, it says "C:\ is not accessible. Access is denied". I tried to reset/reinstall the pc by removing everything, but it didn't fix the problems. I already had a backup of all my files so I'm not worried about that, but I am wondering if there is a way to fix this or if I have to buy a new laptop? Is there anything I can do? I've had this laptop since 2017 so I realize it's a bit old. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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ben_dragon
Senior Member
259
10-23-2026, 08:23 AM
#2
You might get it wrong, but when you sign into your regular login spot, are you actually an admin? That's what I'd guess. So let's create a brand new account with full power to check if the problem still shows up.
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ben_dragon
10-23-2026, 08:23 AM #2

You might get it wrong, but when you sign into your regular login spot, are you actually an admin? That's what I'd guess. So let's create a brand new account with full power to check if the problem still shows up.

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hamzakhan19
Junior Member
20
10-23-2026, 06:16 PM
#3
The first thing I'd do is check CrystalDiskinfo, but since Windows isn't working well, I'll stick to what Punkcat told me instead.
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hamzakhan19
10-23-2026, 06:16 PM #3

The first thing I'd do is check CrystalDiskinfo, but since Windows isn't working well, I'll stick to what Punkcat told me instead.

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BlacksSteal
Member
211
10-24-2026, 04:56 AM
#4
Thanks for getting back to me. Yeah, that account is set up as admin, and when I made a fresh login it didn't work at all.
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BlacksSteal
10-24-2026, 04:56 AM #4

Thanks for getting back to me. Yeah, that account is set up as admin, and when I made a fresh login it didn't work at all.