Missing start items

Compaq notebook Armada 7400 /64 MB/6 GB /Win98.
Can someone help please? There is a blank space in the startup menu where these items should be: Shut down, log off, run, Help, Find, Settings, Documents, Favorites, Programs. I can shutdown with alt-F4, and access the control panel in Windows explorer, and put shortcuts to programs on the desktop, but the user is complaining there is a fault. These items are not in the Windows\Start menu folder. Where are they?