MUST READ: Frequently Asked Problems with Solutions

[Vishal Gupta]

Guys!

I have seen lots of ppl starting new threads for already discussed problems in many forums. We always ask them to search in forum or post the existing thread links.

So I decided to make this thread. I have tried my best to cover all frequently asked problems with their solutions. :)

I request all members to go through this thread first and then post their problems.

All problems covered in this thread:

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.

26. Orkut.com, Youtube.com and Firefox is blocked in the system.

27. I have forgotten my Windows Administrator password. How can I reset / recover it?

So here we start:

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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: Please visit following threads:

All Kinds of Restrictions for Windows 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista

How to Enable Tools -> Folder Options and Registry Editor in Windows

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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:

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.

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

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.

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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:

[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]
	@=-

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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. Also download HijackThis and scan your system with it in Safe Mode, then fix following entries:

C:\WINDOWS\system32\SSVICHOSST.exe
	F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=Explorer.exe SSVICHOSST.exe
	O4 - HKCU\.\Run: [Yahoo Messengger] C:\WINDOWS\system32\SSVICHOSST.exe
	O7 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Pol icies\System, DisableRegedit=1

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

Sol: Open regedit and goto:

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:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

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:

NTLDR is missing

or

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:

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:

"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:

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:

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:

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 drop 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:

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:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

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:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics

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

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26. Whenever I open "www.orkut.com" or any folder with the name "orkut", I get following error with a scary laugh:

Orkut IS BANNED, orkut is banned you fool The administrators didnt write this program guess who did?? r r MUHAHAHA!!

Sol: Pls visit following thread:

[solution] Orkut.com, Youtube.com and Firefox has been Blocked in System

————————-

27. I have forgotten my Windows Administrator password. How can I reset / recover it?

Sol: Pls visit following link:

How to Reset / Recover Forgotten Windows Administrator Password?

I'll keep this thread updated with more frequently asked problems.

[Vishal Gupta]

Not a single comment? :(

Actually I want to update the thread but I found I can't edit it.

[Dencandy]

Many of us are having problems posting. See the thread "Cannot Post..." in Forum Related Issues. New posts seem to work, so does Quick Reply but not Reply (for some); Quote doesn't work for many. Admin all seem to be on holiday (or are very busy trying to sort it out).

Thanks for the post Vishal Gupta. The only one that affects me is No. 17: ctfmon.exe. But before I remove it I'd like to know what it is. Maybe someday I'll need it back.

Some more explanations with some of the other suggestions is also advisable. But thanks again for the hard work you must have put into this long list.

[andsome]

Many of us are having problems posting. See the thread "Cannot Post..." in Forum Related Issues. New posts seem to work, so does Quick Reply but not Reply (for some); Quote doesn't work for many. Admin all seem to be on holiday (or are very busy trying to sort it out).

Thanks for the post Vishal Gupta. The only one that affects me is No. 17: ctfmon.exe. But before I remove it I'd like to know what it is. Maybe someday I'll need it back.

Some more explanations with some of the other suggestions is also advisable. But thanks again for the hard work you must have put into this long list.

Plenty on here about that.

[Vishal Gupta]

@Dencandy

thanks for your kind words. :)

Regarding to ctfmon.exe, you can use CTFMON-Remover to enable/disable it:

CTFMON-Remover: Remove the Annoying ctfmon.exe from Windows

I wanted to include it in first post too but I can't edit.

[Dencandy]

Thanks for the info andsome and Vishal. Since it doesn't seem to adversely affect anything, I think I'll leave it as it is. I already talk to my computer sometimes, may be one day I'll want it to give a response.

[Dencandy]

I've just remembered that ctfmon.exe is listed by Start Up Inspector. I stopped it loading some time ago. By dissabling it from S.U.I. rather than by permanently removing it I can easily get it running again if I decide I would like to use it. For those who are interested, ctfmon.exe deals with Speech Recognition, among other things. Make sure it's not cftmon.exe which is a trojan.

[Vishal Gupta]

How can I edit my posts? I want to update this thread with some more FAQs but there is no Edit button available. Please enable members to edit their own posts.

[AlanHo]

How can I edit my posts? I want to update this thread with some more FAQs but there is no Edit button available. Please enable members to edit their own posts.

I think you may have to subscribe to the forum - £7.50 per year.

It gives you greater posting priviliges, access to the private lounge, a Subscriber badge under your name and a consequent sense of superiority over plain common members

[Vishal Gupta]

^^ If its so, then its strange. "Edit" feature is a very basic thing in forums and I never found any forum which doesnt allow members to edit their own posts. Many times we make mistakes while typing our posts, so its really a basic thing. I hope admins will enable it for members.

[andsome]

How can I edit my posts? I want to update this thread with some more FAQs but there is no Edit button available. Please enable members to edit their own posts.

I think you may have to subscribe to the forum - £7.50 per year.

It gives you greater posting priviliges, access to the private lounge, a Subscriber badge under your name and a consequent sense of superiority over plain common members

Even for subscribers the edit button is only available for a short time, I'm not sure how long for. :D

[doug]

If you wish to post the details please do so, or send a PM to one of the staff. On second thoughts it might be more obvious by starting a second thread with the date in the sub-title then people will see that you are posting a much later one. Provided it's not too great you can always ask one of the staff to edit your post for you.

[Vishal Gupta]

I can understand it and I agree with you but can you please tell us whats harm in providing "Edit" button for members? There seems no harm in enabling this option.

[AlanHo]

If you edit a post after other members have added to it - the edit may go unnoticed - or even worse, cause a subsequent post to appear irrelevant or silly.

I agree with the policy - if you wish to make a change, start a new post or ask mods for help to ensure that there is no confusion caused. I frequent another forum where the edit button is avaliable until such time as someone replies to the thread - it then vanishes.

[doug]

Don't load everything on the mods, there's others further up the chain like ADMIN or even himself way way up there like CRAIG.

[Vishal Gupta]

OK fine if everyone is against the Edit button but IMO "Edit" button must be enabled for all. We can't depend upon the staff for each thing. What if we want to edit lots of posts or if we want to make some minor changes in our post? Will not it become irritating for the staff?

At last it depends upon the forum staff what they think.

[doug]

No! With respect this is your - the members - forum. We on the staff try to ensure that it works for the members benefit. If there is a demand then please post a new thread asking for any changes, then depending on what the response is it will be considered. At the end of the day the staff will implement all reasonable requests!

[AlanHo]

OK fine if everyone is against the Edit button but IMO "Edit" button must be enabled for all. We can't depend upon the staff for each thing. What if we want to edit lots of posts or if we want to make some minor changes in our post? Will not it become irritating for the staff?

At last it depends upon the forum staff what they think.

So how do you answer my claim that if you edit a post after others have replied it can cause at best confusion and at worse make someone look daft if their reply is no longer valid after the post is edited.

Example

Original post :- Have you noticed how green the gras is this year

Reply by someone : It is probably a result of all the wet weather.

You edit the original post to : Have you noticed how brown and parched the grass is this year.

[andsome]

Ours is very green and very wet. :lol:

[Dencandy]

You're working very hard to help members with all sorts of problems Vishal. But the present edit policy is a good one: one brief opportunity immediately after the post and that's it. Otherwise people could be continuously changing what they've written which would make subsequent replies look silly. You can always post a correction referring to the post number you now want to change. That way history doesn't get re-written. :)

[D4\/!d]

That way history doesn't get re-written. :)

I agree. History should not be re-written.

Vishal Gupta, if you edit a post, I will not know. The changes will not be highlighted. I have no wish to read the whole thing through again.

If you have something more to say, do so in a fresh post that we can all see and choose to read or not.

[Vishal Gupta]

OK guys. I apologize for the whole conversation. I think I asked for something which I should not ask. Actually its a feature which is allowed to each and every member in approx. all online forums, thats why I asked for it here.

Its very handy feature. The main thing is about freedom. I feel like a handicap when I find that I'm not able to edit my own posts. I have all rights to edit my words whenever I want.

Regarding to the issue which everyone is talking about! Doesnt this problem happen in other forums where members can edit their posts? Every coin has two sides, so if there are advantages then there are some disadvantages too.

If a member edits his post, then whats harm? No one is saying to read that post again. He must edited his post to fix some mistake or may be to delete his words? Even in many forums members are allowed to delete their posts. What will you say about it?

There is an option in ACP to add "Edited on xxx by xxx" line whenever a post is edited, so one can know about an edited post.

Many times we may want to edit our posts, its not possible to ask the staff every time to edit them. Just my 2 cents.

[Irene]

You're working very hard to help members with all sorts of problems Vishal. But the present edit policy is a good one: one brief opportunity immediately after the post and that's it. Otherwise people could be continuously changing what they've written which would make subsequent replies look silly. You can always post a correction referring to the post number you now want to change. That way history doesn't get re-written. :)

I agree with Dencandy, Vishal.

Perhaps you could add a reply to the post which you wish to edit.

The benefit would be that your amendment would come to the top of the latest posts, whereas an edit would not bring it to the attention of anyone.

Don't give up! We are all grateful for any guidance.

[Watchful]

On another forum that I belong to, where the edit button was freely available, one member did delete all his comments - why, we don't know - but it then made nonsense of the thread and because of that, the edit facility was removed; much to the inconvenience of the other members :(

[artist]

On another forum that I belong to, where the edit button was freely available, one member did delete all his comments - why, we don't know - but it then made nonsense of the thread and because of that, the edit facility was removed; much to the inconvenience of the other members :(

Yes.

:D