Default Property not working on some windows.

[Slyke]

This problem is a little strange, when i right click a folder in the start menu and click "Open" nothing happens! The right click menu just disappears as if it was never there. The start menu still stays up.

I have also observed this behavior in Network Connections. When I double click on any connection, nothing happens, this is the same if I right click it and click "Status".

I have seen this in other place in the operating system too. Most things are working how ever though (Such as double clicking files in explorer, or opening up programs). If i find more places this is occurring then i will edit it here.

Would anyone have an idea on why this is happening... what i did to cause it... and most importantly how to fix this? I'd say it's something to do with the associations.

By the way I'm using XP professional, fully patched.

Thank you for your time B) .

[Scarecrow Man]

Try this

To resolve this problem, edit the registry to set the value data for the Default string value in the registry keys that are described in the "Cause" section of this article to none:

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).

2. Locate and then click the Default value under the following keys in the registry if this problem occurs with folders:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell

If this problem occurs with drives:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell

3. Click Modify on the Edit menu.

4. Type none in the Value data box, and then click OK.

5. Quit Registry Editor.

[Scarecrow Man]

Sorry. That one is for Directories only. This one may help in addition to that.

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_easy_file.htm

[Slyke]

I believe that is asking me to edit the default property of "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell".

I did that, but it still is not working :(. In fact this was already "none". There are also no other values in here bar the default. However there are 2 other keys called "cmd" and "find". I think that is normal though.

I also tried the drive one but no avail. Checked other settings near these ones (Such as putting "none" into the cmd key default), still hasn't fixed.

Edit:

That file didn't help either :(.

[Irene]

Scarecrow Man is far more expert than I, however, might I suggest..

Start >> Run >> type: cmd >> type: sfc /scannow

This command will replace any corrupt or missing Windows system files.

Please run Windows Update after running the above utility.

[Scarecrow Man]

I know what the problem is, and there is a fix for it, but its location has escaped me at the moment. It's a registry fix, if I remember correctly, most likely on http://www.dougknox.com/ or http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/

[Slyke]

Did the scan, nothing came back weird.

I had a look at those sites, and for a while i might add. I found Directory, Drive and Folder fixes, on Doug Knox's website, tried those, but it didn't fix the problem.

Is there any information you can give me for this problem that i may not know about yet? As it would help me solve it more quickly.

Thanks.

[Irene]

In a Google search, I found that someone had the same/similar problem.

The resolution was to:

Check the following.

Go to Start -> Control Panel and double click Taskbar and Start Menu.

Click on the Start Menu tab.

Hit the Customize button.

1. If you're using the XP style menu, click on the Advanced tab.

In the Start menu items box, make sure "Enable dragging and dropping" is

checked.

Click OK twice.

2. If you're using the Classic menu, look in the "Advanced

Start Menu options" box for "Enable dragging and dropping".

Make sure it's checked.

Click OK twice

Sorry not to be able to offer anything more positive, but it worked for them...

It might just work for you.

P.S. I just found another person who used this method and it worked. Look at both Classic and XP versions of the Startup menu. ;)

[Slyke]

I did that and it was already checked :(.

It's not just in the start menu, it's also when I try to view the "Status" of a network connection. Maybe they are 2 separate problems, don't know. Thanks for looking. I'm still searching too :).

[Irene]

I just search Kellys for right click.

Here's one which looked promising (Restore right-click properties)...

www.kellys-korner - Number 203 RIGHT

[Slyke]

No, It still didn't work :(.

Where can i find out what commands are being executed when i click "Open".

Or when i double click on a network connection, or when i right-click a network connection and click "Status". That may help narrow down the problem?

[Irene]

Where can i find out what commands are being executed when i click "Open".

Or when i double click on a network connection, or when i right-click a network connection and click "Status". That may help narrow down the problem?

This is definitely out of my scope, Slyke, but we do have some members who are likely to have experitse in this area.

You may need to wait a short while - they could possibly live in a different time zone or be at work.

I'll keep searching though. :D

[Scarecrow Man]

What happens if you right click, and choose Explore instead of Open?

Your system may have a corrupted Explorer. Have you recently installed IE7, or perhaps IE8 BETA, or even uninstalled one of the two?

You may also find this useful - How to repair a Windows XP installation

[Slyke]

Hey thanks Irene :).

When i click "Explore" instead of "Open" nothing happens. So really they both do the same thing - Nothing.

I will try the installation right now.

No, the only thing i have done to the computer was add another network card into it. I really don't know when this problem started either :(. Just a few days ago when i tried to view the status of the Ethernet connection nothing happened.

[Slyke]

No, repair didn't fix it :(. Maybe if i can find out what both these menus are executing (or what an adapter executes) then i could fix it.

[Irene]

Scroll down to the 3rd post by Wesley Vogel 05-31-2007, 05:21 PM in the following thread, Slyke.

It may not be the final solution, but there is possibly useful information there. :D

http://www.howtofixcomputers.com/forums/wi...able-32099.html