1. Task Manager/Registry Editor/Tools -> Folder Options disabled.

2. Search window opens while double-clicking on drives.

3. "Cannot find copy.exe" Error while double-clicking on drives.
4. Folder opens in a new window?
5. A sub-folder with the same name is created under parent folder.
6. My Documents/My Computer opens automatically at windows startup.
7. "NTLDR missing" Error at system startup.
8. "Hal.dll is corrupt or missing" Error at system startup.
9. "Windows\System32\config\system file missing or corrupt" Error at system startup.
10. Not able to boot into Windows 2000/XP/2003 after installing Windows 98.
11. Windows XP Boot loader related problems, like adding/removing entries.
12. ScanDisk starts running at windows startup.
13. "CMOS checksum error. Defaults loaded." Error at system startup.
14. How to reset system BIOS password?
15. "Stand By" option is greyed out in shutdown dialog box and I can't use it.
16. Windows Login Screen has changed to "Classic Logon Box" automatically.
17. A strange process "ctfmon.exe" running in background.
18. How to recover lost Firefox bookmarks?
19. How to reset the corrupted windows icons?
20. How to make Desktop icons text background transparent?
21. How to get Windows XP Common tasks (Left-side pane in explorer) back?
22. "Copy To"/"Move To" dialog box opens automatically while right-clicking on Start ->
Open.
23. Can't set "Show Hidden files/folders" option in "Tools -> Folder Options".
24. Accidentally deleted "mspaint.exe"/"notepad.exe"/etc. file, how to get it back?
25. Taskbar is showing only icons in opened application buttons not showing text.
***************************************************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
1. In my windows Task Manager/Registry Editor/Tools -> Folder Options has been
disabled. I'm getting warning message that "It has been disabled by Administrator". How
can I enable it again?

Sol: Pls visit following threads:

TUTORIAL: All Kinds of Restrictions for Windows XP/2003

SOLUTION: Folder Options not available in Tools Menu!

-------------------------

2. Whenever I double-click on any drive/folder in My Computer, a Search window opens.

Sol: Open regedit and goto following keys one by one:

Code:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
In right-side pane, delete the "Default" key. If it doesnt work then delete the key "find" under
both.

-------------------------

3. Whenever I double-click on any drive in My Computer, I get following error message:

Quote:
Cannot find copy.exe. Make sure you have typed the name correctly and then try again.

Sol: Enable "Show hidden files" option in "Tools -> Folder Options" and then search for
"Autorun.inf" file in all drivers and if you get them in root of any drive (e.g. in C:\, D:\ and so on),
delete them.

-------------------------

4. Whenever I double-click on any folder in My Computer, it opens in a new window even I

have selected the option "Always open folders in same window" in "Tools -> Folder
Options".

Sol: Copy following code and paste it in Notepad then save the file with name "vishal.reg"
(including quotes). After it run the file and confirm the action:

Code:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore]
"BrowserFlags"=dword:00000022
"ExplorerFlags"=dword:00000021

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\command]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74
,00,25,\
00,5c,00,45,00,78,00,70,00,6c,00,6f,00,72,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,
78,00,\
65,00,20,00,2f,00,65,00,2c,00,2f,00,69,00,64,00,6c,00,69,00,73,00,74,
00,2c,\
00,25,00,49,00,2c,00,25,00,4c,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\ddeexec]
@="[ExploreFolder(\"%l\", %I, %S)]"
"NoActivateHandler"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\ddeexec\application]
@="Folders"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\ddeexec\ifexec]
@="[]"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\ddeexec\topic]
@="AppProperties"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open]
"BrowserFlags"=dword:00000010
"ExplorerFlags"=dword:00000012

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\command]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74
,00,25,\
00,5c,00,45,00,78,00,70,00,6c,00,6f,00,72,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,
78,00,\
 65,00,20,00,2f,00,69,00,64,00,6c,00,69,00,73,00,74,00,2c,00,25,00,49,
00,2c,\
00,25,00,4c,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec]
@="[ViewFolder(\"%l\", %I, %S)]"
"NoActivateHandler"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec\application]
@="Folders"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec\ifexec]
@="[]"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec\topic]
@="AppProperties"

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\explore]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\open]

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell\open]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell]
@="none"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell]
@="none"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell]
@=-

-------------------------

5. Whenever I open a folder, another folder with the same name is created under it.

Sol: Your system is infected by a variant of Indonesian virus called Brontok/Rontokbro. It

creates a sub-folder in a folder with same name. Most of the times it comes from mobile memory
cards. Scan with a good anti-virus and remove the virus.

-------------------------

6. Whenever I start my computer, My Documents/My Computer opens automatically at

windows startup.

Sol: Open regedit and goto:

Code:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

In right-side pane, change value of "Userinit" to:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\userinit.exe
NOTE: If you have windows installed in other drives, then change C:\ to that drive label.

Now goto:

Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Ad
vanced

In right-side pane, change value of "PersistBrowsers" to 0

Now log off windows and it should solve the problem.

-------------------------

7. When I start my computer, I get error message:

Quote:

NTLDR is missing
or
Quote:

Boot: Couldn't find NTLDR

Sol: Boot using Windows Setup CD and enter into "Recovery Console" by pressing "R". Now
Log into windows installation and enter admin password. Now give following commands at
prompt:

copy x:\i386\ntldr c:\

copy x:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\

Where "x" is your CD drive, change it acc. to your system.

-------------------------

8. When I start my computer, I get error message:

Quote:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
<Windows root>\system32\hal.dll.
Please re-install a copy of the above file.

Sol: Boot using Windows Setup CD and enter into "Recovery Console" by pressing "R". Now
Log into windows installation and enter admin password. Now give following commands at
prompt:

Attrib -H -R -S C:\Boot.ini
Del C:\Boot.ini
BootCfg /Rebuild
Fixboot
-------------------------

9. When I start my computer, I get error message:

Quote:

"Windows\System32\config\system" file missing or corrupt

Sol: Boot using Windows Setup CD and enter into "Recovery Console" by pressing "R". Now
Log into windows installation and enter admin password. Now give following commands at
prompt:

copy %windir%\Repair\system %windir%\System32\Config

If it doesnt work, then again boot into "Recovery Console" and give following commands:

fixmbr
bootcfg /scan
bootcfg /rebuild
fixboot

-------------------------

10. I have Windows 2000/XP/2003 installed in my system and yesterday I installed

Windows 98 over it, after that I'm not able to boot into Windows 2000/XP.2003. I'm not
getting option to select the OS.

Sol: Windows 98 has overwritten the boot loader. Boot using Windows Setup CD and enter into
"Recovery Console" by pressing "R". Now Log into windows installation and enter admin
password. Now give following commands at prompt:

fixmbr
bootcfg /scan
bootcfg /rebuild
fixboot

-------------------------

11. When I start my system, I'm getting 2 entries for windows XP in the boot loader. How
can I remove the duplicate entry?

OR

How can I change the default OS in windows boot loader?

OR

How can I change the entry labels in windows boot loader?

OR

How can I change the boot loader time? Its set to 30 seconds and I want to change it.

Sol: There are several way. You can follow any of following:
A. Type "sysdm.cpl" in RUN dialog box and press <Enter>. Now goto "Advanced" tab and click
on "Settings" button in "Startup & Recovery" section. Now click on "Edit" button and then you
can edit the boot loader time, labels, etc.

B. Type "msconfig" in RUN dialog box and goto "Boot.ini" tab and then you can change the
desired thing. If you want to remove the corrupt/non-working entries, then click on "Check all
boot paths" button.

C. Enable "Show hidden files/folders" and disable "Hide protected system files" options in
"Tools -> Folder Options". Now open C:\ drive and remove the READ-ONLY attribute of
"BOOT.INI" file from its Properties. Now open this file and then you can make your desired
changes.

-------------------------

12. Whenever I start my computer, Scandisk starts running even I proper shut down the
PC last time.

Sol: Do as following:

A. Open regedit and goto:

Code:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager

In right-side pane, change the value of BootExecute to:

autocheck autochk *

B. If the above trick doesnt help then give following commands in Command Prompt:

chkntfs /x drive_name

for e.g., if ScanDisk runs automatically for C: and D: drives, then give following commands one by
one:

chkntfs /x C:
chkntfs /x D:

-------------------------

13. When I start my computer, I get following error message:

Quote:

CMOS checksum error, defaults loaded.

Sol: Open the cabinet and look for a coin-sized battery in motherboard. Remove it and attach a
new one. The new battery will cost approx. 15-20 Rs.

-------------------------

14. I forgot my system BIOS password. How can I reset it?

Sol: Open the cabinet and look for a coin-sized battery in motherboard. Remove it and attach it
again after a few minutes. All BIOS settings will set to default and the password will also reset.

-------------------------

15. I re-installed my windows and now "Stand By" option is greyed out in shutdown dialog
box and I can't use it.

Sol: Install VGA drivers from your motherboard CD and the option will be enabled. If you don't
have the motherboard CD, then goto the manufacturer site and downlaod the required drivers.

-------------------------

16. My Windows Login Screen has changed to "Classic Logon Box". I want the new
Welcome Screen back.

Sol: Type "control userpasswords" in RUN dialog box or Open "User Accounts" in Control
Panel. Then click on "Change the way Users log on and off". Now check the option "Use
Welcome Screen". If you get following error:

Quote:

Uninstall client services for netware.

Then Open "Network Connections" and open Properties of your Internet Connection. Now goto
"Networking" tab and select "Client services on Netware" option and click on the"Uninstall"
button.

-------------------------

17. A strange process "ctfmon.exe" always runs in background and if I click on "End
Process" button, it restarts automatically.

Sol: Open Control Panel and goto Add/Remove Programs list. Now click on the Microsoft
Office entry and then click on "Change" button. Now select "Add/Remove Features" and click
on "Next". Now expand "Office Shared Features" and click on "Alternative User Input" and
then select "Not Available" and finally click on Update. It'll permanently remove that ctfmon.exe
and your problem will be solved.

-------------------------

18. I just noticed that all my Firefox Bookmarks have gone. The bookmarks list is empty.
How can I get them back?

Sol: Type "%appdata%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles" in RUN dialog box and then open the
"xxxx.default" folder (where xxxx will be random numbers and characters). Now open
"bookmarkbackups" folder and you'll get your bookmarks there. Now you can import them in
Firefox again.

-------------------------

19. My Windows is showing some wrong icons of files. How can I reset the corrupted
icons?

Sol: You can use any of following methods:

A. Download TweakUI from here and then click on "Repair Icons" in "Repair" section.

B. Open My Computer and goto:

C:\Documents and Settings\User_Name\Local Settings\Application Data

Replace C:\ with your system drive and "user_Name" with your username.
Now there'll be a HIDDEN file "iconcache.db", delete it and restart your system.

-------------------------

20. I'm using Windows XP and the desktop icons suddenly started showing an ugly
background rectangle behind the text. How can I make the text transparent?

Sol: Type "sysdm.cpl" in RUN dialog box and press <Enter>. Now goto "Advanced" tab, click
on "Setting" button in "Performance" section and enable the option "Use dark shadows for
icon labels on the desktop".

-------------------------

21. I'm using Windows XP and suddenly the Common tasks stopped showing in left-side
pane.

Sol: Open "Tools -> Folder Options" and enable the option "Show Common Tasks in folders".

-------------------------

22. Whenever I right-click on Start button and select "Open", a "Copy To"/"Move To"
dialog box opens automatically.

Sol: Open regedit and goto:

Code:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AllFilesystemObjects\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\

Now under this key, delete following 2 keys:

Copy To
Move To

-------------------------

23. I can't see Hidden files/folders in my computer. Even I enable the option "Show hidden
files/folders" in "Tools -> Folder Options", its automtically disabled again.

Sol: Open regedit and goto:

Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Ad
vanced

In right-side pane, change value of "Hidden" to as following:

1 - To show hidden files
2 - To not show hidden files

If it doesnt work, then scan your computer with an anti-virus software.

-------------------------

24. I accidentally deleted my "mspaint.exe"/"notepad.exe"/etc. file, how can I get it back?

Sol: You can use any of following methods:

A. Goto "%windir%\System32\DLLCache" folder and look for the file, if its there then copy it to
"%windir%\System32\" folder.

B. Insert your Windows Setup CD and goto "I386" folder. Now look for the same file, it'll present
there but the last letter of extension will be "_". e.g., u'll get "mspaint.ex_"/"notepad.ex_"/etc. Now
open Command Prompt and goto "I386" folder and give following command:

expand mspaint.ex_ mspaint.exe

expand notepad.ex_ notepad.exe
etc.

Now u can copy the file to "%windir%\System32" folder.

C. Give following command in Command Prompt:

sfc /SCANNOW

It'll automatically restore the files.

-------------------------

25. Suddenly my taskbar is showing only icons in all opened application buttons. I can't
see any text. How can I get back the full taskbar buttons?

Sol: Open regedit and goto:

Code:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics

In right-side pane, change the value of "MinWidth" to -2300

-------------------------

I'll keep this thread updated with more frequently asked problems...
__________________
Microsoft® MVP - Windows : Shell/User
Windows VISTA => Windows VIS(hal gup)TA

MW is BACK - http://www.merawindows.com/