Giveaway of the Day Forums

1. 

   NolafromNZ
   Member

   There is probably a simple answer to my problem, but it is driving me crazy. I want all my photos in 'My Pictures' and other photo folders, to view as thumbnails. However, I want all my program files, downloads files, etc to view as icons.

   I'd like to get really fancy (lol) and have my downloads folder view in groups. But, I don't want any other folder to do so. And I want these 3 options to be there permanently, so that every time I open the folders, things are how I like them.

   I start off with things the way I want them, after hours of work on my part, but next time I boot up the laptop, they have all changed again. And recently, when I changed the folder options on 'My Pictures' to view as thumbnails, every folder now views as thumbnails. I have got 'Remember each folder's view settings' ticked in Tools/Folder Options. But XP doesn't!!

   Is this possible, or am I wishing for the moon here? Or, does everyone else have this already and are wondering what the heck my problem is? I have tried googling for an answer, but didn't get anywhere. If anyone can help, or commiserate, I would appreciate hearing from you.

   BTW I've got Windows XP Home SP2 and I'm using the Windows Explorer, but I am not averse to trying another explorer program if that would help. I'm also not averse to Registry hacks.

   Posted 16 years ago #
2. 

   RunesageMagik
   Member

   Nola
   My PC uses WinXP Home/SP2, too, and if I understand you correctly, my display is set up the way you want - some folders (those containing shortcuts to appls or URL shortcuts to the web open in List or Details view), while some like My Docs sub folders (My Nawty Pictures) open in thumbnail.

   I recently experienced an inexplicable retention of settings problem - every folder was defaulting to list and folders that used to open in a discrete corner were suddenly opening full screen. Turns out I was bumping into Windows' ridiculously low default bag limit ceiling. - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/813711

   Rather than following MSFT's steps, a simple option is to run Tweak #2 here -
   http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

   If you want more or less than 8000, you have to fiddle with the hex code (on a lark, I did and it worked fine) Be interested to know if it solves you problem, too.

   Thanks mostly to certain game downloads and monitor resolution mods, I also encounter the irritating glitch where the darn desktop layout gets fritzed; or sometimes just a single icon mysteriously disappears completely or teleports to the other side of the display. One of these utilities might be a lifesaver (well, a monitor saver, since I'd like to put my foot through the monitor when it happens) -
   http://www.midiox.com/html/desktop.htm
   http://www.desksave.de/

   Posted 16 years ago #
3. 

   BuBBy
   Teh adnim

   Once you have changed the default bag limit, as Rune mentioned-

   Two handy programs worth checking out:

   This utility displays the list of all folder settings saved by Windows. For each folder, the following information is displayed: The date/time that you opened it, the entry number, display mode (Details, Icons, Tiles, and so on...), the last position of the window, and the last size of the window.
   http://nirsoft.net/utils/shell_bags_view.html

   # Save and Restore Icon positions for each (or every) screen resolution
   # Transparent icon backgrounds or use any color
   # Select any color for icon text
   # Automatically hide icons when you don't need them and show them when you do
   # Automatically or manually select the best color for the text background
   http://www.sillysot.com/

   Posted 16 years ago #
4. 

   NolafromNZ
   Member

   Thank you both for your suggestions. I have already downloaded and installed Kelly's Corner's tweak no 2 into the registry and I will now redo all the folder views and see what happens. You can be sure I will report back Runesage with my results, but what happened to you sounds exactly the same as my problem. If it fixes this easily I will be so happy! For now, I have left it at 8000, will fiddle, if necessary, later.

   As to the desktop layout changing of its own volition, yes, that happens often, but I have been using desksave for a long, long time now - actually, ever since I learned about this program on a GOTD forum thread. I wouldn't be without it, it has saved me a lot of work.

   I have also downloaded ShellBagsView, Bubby and will give this a go too once I have the folders the way I want them. It will be very interesting to see the results and I can run this on a regular basis to see if things remain as I want them to.

   Thank you both very much, you have stopped me throwing my laptop across the room, I can tell you! I thought I was going nuts!!

   I'll be back !!

   Posted 16 years ago #
5. 

   NolafromNZ
   Member

   Bugger!! I thought I had entered Karen's tweak into the registry but I hadn't, and when I double click on the file, it just opens up in Notepad. I can't seem to get it to go into the Registry by doubleclicking and choosing import. I even tried other reg files that I've got and the same thing is happening with them too, only opening up the Notepad. What am I doing wrong Rune? I have done this before to enter stuff into the registry, but can't this time.

   Posted 16 years ago #
6. 

   BuBBy
   Teh adnim

   Nola - you need to right click and save the files to your hdd - then you can rename them in explorer, before double clicking on them

   eg. on the site they might be called changeme.reg.txt
   You need to drop the .txt and rename to changeme.reg

   That's all. The .txt and notepad workaround is just as a safeguard so some muppet doesn't go and click on all the links and destroy their system.

   Posted 16 years ago #
7. 

   NolafromNZ
   Member

   Bubby, the file is being saved as a .reg file (with the funny blue pineapple shape sitting on an angle, on a sheet of paper icon) but is still opening into Notepad. And so are all my other .reg files that I exported from the registry as unlock backups. I don't know if they always did this because I have never tried reimporting them, but they sure are only opening in Notepad now.

   So, my next question is, I don't have a ShellNoRoam under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ Can I create one by going into View/New/Dword ? I'm not super confident making registry changes, however I have changed HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell as per Karen's tweak.

   As for HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\E - I have no E, so same question here, do I create it via View/New/Dword ?

   Posted 16 years ago #
8. 

   BuBBy
   Teh adnim

   Firstly - go to http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm to download the "Reg File Association Fix"

   To import a .REG file from the command line use the following command:

   regedit.exe /s file

   The /s means the file will be silent merged to the Registry. If the /s parameter is omitted the user will be asked to confirm the operation.

   In Windows 98, Windows 95 and at least some configurations of Windows XP the /s switch also causes regedit.exe to ignore the setting in the registry that allows administrators to disable it.

   --

   Or if you aren't comfortable with the command line - you can import a reg file in regedit

   All you need to do is the following:
   1. Click Start, Run, type in: RegEdit.exe
   2. In Registry Editor click File, Import, then browse to the .reg file fix.
   3. Done

   Posted 16 years ago #
9. 

   NolafromNZ
   Member

   Bubby you have to be the smartest man in the universe!!! For some reason, the first option - using the command line, which comes easy to an old dos 6.2 girl, didn't work. However, your second option - via the start/run command worked a treat and now my reg files are working on a double click again.

   Thank you so much, I'm away now to fix up all my folder views, then check them with your other handy prog - shellbagsview.

   It's 8.15pm here in NZ, so I've got 3/4s of an hour before the game giveaway is up, I'll see how much I can get done before then. Give yourself 10 pats on the back, I would if I could, but I can't so I won't. You are very patient with someone who's brains are fried and I'm very grateful to you once again.

   Posted 16 years ago #
10. 

    aRenegade
    Member

    On those occasions when I feel like throwing my PC out the window because it was misbehaving, I’ve found these sites helpful to soothe my frustration with their tips, hints, and troubleshooting remedies. These are the promo’s.

     Annoyances.org - The most complete collection of information assembled for and by actual users of Microsoft Windows. http://www.annoyances.org/

     Computer Hope.com - The location for free online computer support and computer related information. Computer Hope has been designed to assist all types of computer users with any of their computer related questions as well as a great location to learn more about your computer, its hardware, and software. http://www.computerhope.com/

     PC Hell - It's that place you visit when your personal computer is driving you insane with problems, glitches, and so on. To try to soothe the frustration, they provide tips, hints, and troubleshooting remedies - http://www.pchell.com/index.shtml

    Posted 16 years ago #
11. 

    graylox
    Moderator

    Thanks, aRenegade, I did not know the computerhope link.
    A question, what shall I do when my only (online)puter is so annoyed that it can not reach the place of hope anymore? I think then it will go directly through the window into hell. :)
    - and I will jump afterwards :(
    graylox

    Posted 16 years ago #

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