desktop settings

[drtom]

I have XPP on an IBM laptop which all of a sudden one morning started to use the All Users desktop icons and background setting. I didn't change anything and there is only one user on the machine... me. I am an administrator and the guest account is off.
All of my desktop icons are listed under my username in My Computer but I cannot get the computer to use those settings. What has it done to me???
Thanks in advance

 

[linney]

Maybe your profile has become corrupted?
811151 - How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151

Have you tried System Restore?


These are for a "Common Tasks" issue: you could try them to see if they have any result on your current problem.

Click Start, Run and type "regsvr32 /i shell32". Restart Windows. If this does not help, download the fix from Doug Knox's site:

Removes Common Tasks from Desktop

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_commtask_desktop.htm

15. Remove Common Tasks from the Desktop

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=957714&page=1

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[drtom]

Hi Linny:
Of all the suggestions the first one I tried was boot into safe mode.
Interestingly at log on my user is not there, only the administrator account. It seems to me that the last time I booted into safe mode there was a choice between my account and administrator. Would that mean that the user has disappeared in Windows mind? The user file is still present in Explorer.
The desktop is black with no wallpaper and the icons present are those for "All Users".
Thanks

 

[drtom]

Hmmm...
- ran Doug Knox's fix, said it was OK
- ran Scandisk - no errors
- ran drive test on the hdd and it found bad sector - I didn't allow fix for the moment
- tried to run Sfc /Scannow - CD drive isn't seen by the computer; cannot access XP install CD.
- removed the hdd and reinstalled it. It solved the problem but I suspect that the fix it won't last
- Screen saver set to 60 minutes - activates in 10 minutes
- remove reinstall CD and it now can be seen by the computer
- try to run sfc... nothing happens. Black DOS window appears for 1/2 second and then disappears
- ran system restore and the correct desktop returned however, problems seem deeper than what is seen (or not
seen) on the surface.
Will watch and see what happens
Thanks for the input

 

[linney]

I think the thing that jumps out from your reply is the necessity to make sure you have backed up all your valuable data in case a complete format and re-install is required in the near future.

What you say about only the Administrator user on the Safe Mode Desktop Login makes me think that your normal user must have become a Limited User. You can check "Local Users and Groups" in Computer Management to see if and where your normal user is listed.

The System File Checker problem is a bit of a worry. Are you typing it in correctly with a space between SFC and /Scannow? If you type it in at a Command Prompt it might give you an error message that remains on the screen long enough to read it?

Have you got lots of red X's in your Event Viewer?

 

[drtom]

Thanks; back ups are a routine I learned long ago... the hard way. I maintain back up files on another computer just in case.
Yes, I usually make the sfc space mistake and then slap myself and re-enter it. It still doesn't reveal anything long enough that may be read.
I must admit, I didn't think of looking at the event viewer. The computer has been returned to the owner so I won't get a look at it until she returns home from school in a couple of weeks however, she is well versed in backing up everything.
Ultimately, I think it's going to be a reformat to clean everything up which in the end is likley the best / easiest option.
Thanks again.