deleted shortcuts

Win Me did this all by itself? :)
Are you sure you didn't uninstall the software?
Can you find the program's actual folder and executable file?

The folder where you need to put the shortcuts at is "c:\windows\start menu\programs" or in your profile folder located "C:\windows\profiles\yourlogin\start menu"

If you do use a login user name and password check and see if you have the folder "c:\windows\profiles" You may have a folder named the same as you login and a backup Look through these folders to see if a copy of the start menu folder is there. Look in there in the "all users' folder there may be a copy of the same program shortcuts as what was in your original. Copy that folder or it's contents and paste into the folder with your login name.

Have you tried the restore feature of Win ME if you go back to a date that's previous to the problem Win ME will politely put the icons back.

Also look in "C:\windows\recent" shortcuts may be there that work.

I'm afraid you deleted the programs, not the shortcuts. Using Windows Explorer, look at My Computer, Local Drive [usually C:], Program Files, and see if you can locate the programs that are not running properly. If they aren't there, look in the Recyle Bin and see if you can Restore them.

In future, when delete what you think are shortcuts, be sure to read the entire screen prompt and verify that the application itself is not being deleted.

If you've emptied your Recycle Bin, your only remaining avenue for recovery would be a valid backup disk. Good luck.