Recently switched from an old 98SE desk-top to an XP Prof.-SP2 laptop. After I loaded XP and my various app's.
I started configuring the system to my liking. Everything looked and worked great and just as I wanted it to. Later on I did some additional configuring and "son-of-a-gun" something changed and darned if I can figure out what I did or where I did it. Could really use a bit of help here. Here is the problem.
When in My Computer and I double-clicked on an item (drive, folder, etc.) that item used to open right up and display whatever was in/on it. This was good.
Now when I double-click on the same item a new window opens as a SEARCH window with a left-hand pane with various search criteria. This is NOT good.
Can anyone tell me where to go and how to fix this problem. It's not a major deal but it is frustrating to me and I'd like to get back to where I was. Thanks. J.W. Spead ([color=#FF0000:1g46n5m4][size=50:1g46n5m4][i:1g46n5m4]~removed email address~[/i:1g46n5m4][/size:1g46n5m4][/color:1g46n5m4])
Hi JW - This is a common issue, to fix...go to 'Start/Run' and type in (or copy and paste): regsvr32 /i shell32
That is the quick/easy fix and should work...if not then please post back and we can give further directions.
cheers.....JIM
BTW JW: Not a good idea to publish your email address on a public forum...spammers will have a field day with it. I strongly suggest it be removed (edited out).
Hi JW, I removed your email address just for safety's sake. You can register your email address with the forum and have it email you if replies are made to a topic you like by subscribing to that topic.
Worst case, if you want someone to email you, please use a PM to whomever you would like to email you.
oh, and if Jim's suggestion does not work for you, please let us know.
Carry on.
Thanks to both of you for your response. I'll try Jim's suggestion tonight. Your right Ziggy on the e-mail address and I should have known better. Thanks for being a good guy.
Regards,
J.W.S.
Tried Jim's suggestion and unless I'm doing something wrong, it did NOT work. To be sure that we are all on the same page are there any spaces in the sequence that you gave me? (I did not enter any. )
Got a dialog box in responce saying "Windows could not find regsvr32/ishell32"
What do I do now? As I said in my first post this is not a deal breaker but something that I would like to fix if possible. Please keep in mind that I'm NOT a super techie person.
Looking forward to your next suggestion. Thanks and Regards, J.W.S.
Hey JW - Yes there are spaces....the best way would be to copy and paste the command, as I have written it, into the run dialogue box. Just highlight the command in my original post; hold down the left mouse button and drag across the command until it, and it alone, is highlighted...then release the left mouse button, right click on the highlighted command and select 'Copy'. Now open 'Run', right click in the run dialogue box and select paste.
There is a space between 'regsvr32' and the forward slash and another between the 'i' and 'shell32'.....so the command is; [b:3dbysl9v]regsvr32<space>/i<space>shell32 [/b:3dbysl9v] with[b:3dbysl9v] <space>[/b:3dbysl9v] being one hit on the space bar.
Whenever you get that error message from Windows after trying to run a command it generally means it has been typed in wrong....these things are extremely syntax sensitive. Try again with the two spaces in the right spots and it should all come out OK....post back if not.
cheers.....JIM
Jim,
Tried it with the spaces and How About That? It worked! Thanks so much for your courtesy and help. Really appreciate it.
Oh, by the way, any reccomendations on brand of CD-RW or DVD-RW to use. Sager NP-2096 Notebook and either the Windows XP-Professional SP-2 built in burner or Acronis True Image. This for disk clone and back-up. Thanks again.
Best Regards,
J.W.S.
Hi JW - Glad all is well again....that solution usually does the trick, which is a good job coz if it doesn't, the follow up steps can get a tad involved.
Not quite sure about your question re CD-RW/DVD-RW brands.... I am in Oz (Australia) and, guessing you are in the good ol' U.S. of A, brand names may well differ. My advice is always to use reputable brands...buying cheap discs from discount stores often proves to be false economy. Also, even though re-writable discs have the advantage of being re-usable they are not the most reliable nor easiest of blank media to use...I prefer CD-R or DVD-R. (Ziggie or Dave, being U.S. citizens, may have some more definitive advice).
If you are going to use Acronis for creating backup images (which is a great way to go) you really should invest in a second hard drive, either internal or external USB. The average backup image of my system is about 25gigs (even when compressed) and a DVD only holds 4.7gigs maximum.
I am a great fan of Acronis and use it all the time, I don't worry about incremental, differential or any other 'ential' backups but rather just use it for creating entire images....here is what I do: Once all my favourite software is installed but while the system is still quite new I create an initial image, then two months later I create another image and then another after a further two months. From then on, every two months, I replace the oldest image (except for the initial image) with an updated one. This means I always have 3 images on hand to go back to if disaster strikes, the original plus two more....with the most recent being somewhere between 1 day and 2 months old. That system will always get anyone out of trouble and, at the same time, minimises the risk of file corruption.
I use a 250gig USB external hard drive for saving images but you could easily get away with a 160gig drive and still have a little space left over for additional backup of personal data (photos, docs, etc.). I think I paid around $90.00au for my 250gig (2.5") USB external drive, so they are not that expensive and, IMO, together with Acronis represent terrific value for backup/insurance.
I cannot stress enough the importance of maintaining a system of regular backups, including entire system backups (images). Disaster can hit anyone at any time and precautionary steps can, and do, save a lot of heartache (and expense). As the Boy Scouts always say...be prepared!!
Anyway, glad I could help out.....anytime mate,
cheers....JIM
P.S. For further information and a guide on the basics of image creation using Acronis, check out the article (on Acronis 2009) in the November 2008 issue of the DCT news letter here:
https://davescomputertips.com/newsle ... 081115.php
I prefer Memorex for CDs and DVDs. They rarely let me down.
I've tried the cheap generic ones and they only result in frustration (nothing worse than spending 3 hours burning a full DVD only to find it doesn't work).
and yes, my DVD burner is slooooooooow.
--zig
Jim & Ziggy;
Thanks so much for all the good advice. Nice to find a couple of guys who are friendly, don't make fun of you because you don't know all the answers, etc. Really appreciate.
If I'm not being a pest, I have one more question at this time. My XP Start Menu (I use the Classic Style). My program sub-menu sometimes opens in full (this is what I like and want) but sometines only opens with the last few programs that I have accessed. (Hate that). Is there a way/a place that I can make it happen "My Way?"
Have been on 98SE machine for the past six [6] years and have gotten used to a full menu when I click on it.
Thanks again guys. Will try to leave you alone to answer other folks questions for a while.
Best Regards,
J.W. Spead
Hey JW- Nobody could ever be a 'pest' here by simply asking questions and seeking answers (least of all your good self)...that's what we are here for.
I think your start menu problem may be due to one specific option being enabled; i.e. "Use Personalized Menus". This feature is [i:39i0xfb7]supposed[/i:39i0xfb7] to help with congestion by displaying frequently used programs only and 'hiding' the shortcuts for programs which are not used very often. Try this:
Right click on any blank/empty space in the Taskbar and select [b:39i0xfb7]Properties[/b:39i0xfb7]. Click on the [b:39i0xfb7]Start Menu[/b:39i0xfb7] tab and and then on the [b:39i0xfb7]Customize[/b:39i0xfb7] button. Under 'Advanced Start menu Options', scroll down to the last option which should read...[b:39i0xfb7]Use Personalized Menus[/b:39i0xfb7]. If there is a checkmark (tick) in the adjacent box, left click on that box to remove the checkmark, then click OK and OK. That will disable the option and your start menu should now always display all the programs.
cheers....JIM
Hey Jim,
Darn, but you're good. That worked perfectly. Thanks a bunch. Oh, by the way I do fully intend to purchase an external USB Hard Drive and do all my back-ups on that.
Have A Great Day,
J.W.
Hey JW - You are most welcome mate...glad it worked for you. Pleased to hear you are gunna invest in a USB ext. hard drive too...they really are great for backing up images and data.
cheers now....JIM
P.S. Actually JW, I have had a great day...I play lawn bowls and my team and I won a local prestigious competition, got a great big silver cup and all!!...We are the champions my friend...LOL
[quote="ozbloke":2wdb4yfa]I play lawn bowls and my team and I won a local prestigious competition, got a great big silver cup and all!!...We are the champions my friend...LOL[/quote:2wdb4yfa]
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WiseTioga, Welcome to the forum. We hope you stick around!
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