Can't Browse files

[Isaac]

When I try to save or browse for a file, nothing happens. When I click "Save
as..." on a program, nothing happens. If I click "Browse" on a website,
nothing happens. When I first got this computer, it worked fine. I don't know
when the problem first arose.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Isaac.

We'd love to help you, but there is SO MUCH that you haven't told us. :>(

Like: Which version of Vista? Are you an Administrator, and logged in as
such? Are you trying to save a file using Windows Explorer, or Internet
Explorer, or Word or ???

Most likely, though, you are trying to save files to the wrong places. For
example, Vista now enforces the rule that program data must not go into the
Program Files folder. And nobody but the Administrator should be able to
create folders or save files in the Root of the system drive, typically C:\.
And WinXP folders like "My Computer" do not exist in Vista except as
"junctions" pointing the way to the new locations that Vista uses.

While it doesn't directly answer your question, you might find some insight
in this KB article:
Common file and registry virtualization issues in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927387

If you give us more details of your computer and what you are trying to do,
we probably can help you do it.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)

 

[Isaac]

I'm using Windows Vista Home Basic, and I am logged in as an Administrator. I
tried to do a couple things. I tried to save a file on the program Audacity
(audio program), and nothing came up. I also tried to export the file, but
nothing came up for that either. I also tried to browse for an image on a
website on Internet Explorer in order to post a picture, but nothing came up
either. I tried to test saving a Word file, but discovered that Word will not
open. I don't know if I'm trying to save things to the wrong place, because I
don't seem to get a chance to save them to any place. Thanks for your time.

 

[alta47]

Most likely, though, you are trying to save files to the wrong places.
For example, Vista now enforces the rule that program data must not go
into the Program Files folder.

Why is that?

And WinXP folders like "My Computer" do not exist in Vista except as
"junctions" pointing the way to the new locations that Vista uses.

Why? I don't get it. It's my computer and I can't move files and folders
around and arrange them to be where I want them to be?

Here's a related example:

I have several different computers that I use. All but one have XP. This
one that I am using now has Vista. If I connect my digital camera to any of
my other computers which have XP, a program runs and I get to decide where I
want to stores the pictures that I am importing from my camera. If I
connect the camera to this computer with Vista, it just imports the pictures
to who-knows-where. Then I search and search and try to figure out where my
pictures landed on my computer. If I try to find them using what I thought
would be something like the Windows Explorer that I have on every other
computer that had XP on down to Windows 3.1, it doesn't work -- Why? --
because Vista decided that I don't need that function, or I shouldn't have
that function, or I am too stupid to know where I want my files to go.

It really is disgusting.

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, alta47.

Well, I'm an accountant - and retired at that. Not a techie of any kind.
So I can't answer all your questions. And they didn't let me help write
Vista, so I can't explain everything they did there, either. But I've been
using Vista for nearly three years, since it was in the last year or so of
beta testing, and have run nothing much but Vista Ultimate x64 since it went
RTM in November 2006. So my mindset is not the same as yours. I've almost
forgotten WinXP. :^}

To me, it seems that Vista is like WinXP with security. The best rough
analogy might be like adding a lock to your front door, and then being angry
because now you can't get in without a key. You didn't need a key before -
but neither did a burglar. Now a key is needed and the burglar doesn't have
one - but you do. All you have to do is learn how and when to use it.

As for storing files in protected folders, it may be more like the rule that
you should not store rat poison alongside sugar in your pantry. It's just
too easy to grab the wrong white powder when you are in a hurry or
distracted.

Those are not perfect analogies, of course, but maybe they illustrate the
points.

Why is that?

See the poison-in-the-pantry analogy. C:\Program Files should be for the
files that actually run the program - like Notepad.exe. The Memo that you
write with Notepad should not be in Program Files. By default, Notepad will
offer to save your .txt file in YOUR Documents folder
(C:\Users\alta47\Documents), but you can easily click Save As... and put it
into X:\MyStuff - or almost any other location you choose. It will strongly
resist if you try to put your document into Program Files, saying that you
don't have permission. If you REALLY want to put it into Program Files, and
if you have the Administrator credentials, then you can start Notepad by
right-clicking Run as Administrator and furnishing the password. Having
shown that you "have the key", you can then "put the poison in the pantry"
if you insist.

want to stores the pictures that I am importing from my camera. If I
connect the camera to this computer with Vista, it just imports the
pictures to who-knows-where. Then I search and search

Have you looked in C:\Users\alta47\Pictures?

Where did YOU tell Vista to put the pictures it Imports? You didn't say
which photo software you are using, but in Vista's Windows Photo Gallery,
click File | Options | Import and in the Import to: box, see where it says
it will put photos that it imports. If you don't like the default (YOUR
Pictures folder), then Browse to the one you want to use.

You can use Vista's Search if you know any part of the filename - like DSCN
or .jpg or .avi.

When all else fails, you can always use methods that have worked ever since
MS-DOS. Open a Command Prompt window and use the good old DOS command:
Dir - with switches and parameters to look for what you need. In the
Command Prompt window, type the command followed by /? to see what I call a
"mini-Help file" showing how to modify the command.

For example:
Dir C:\ /s/a

That will list every file on Drive C:. It starts in the Root ("\") and
lists files and folders, including all subfolders ("/s"), and all files
("/a"), even those with Hidden or System attributes. You'll probably have
time for a cup of coffee while this lists scrolls!

Or Dir C:\Users\alta47\*.jpg /s

This should show every JPEG file in your own user account. Many other Dir
variations are possible; just spend some time exploring. Once you've
located the proper directory (folder), then you can browse to it with
Windows Explorer or open it in Windows Photo Gallery or other application.

It really is disgusting.

You can rant about Vista and stay ignorant of its features. Or you can
learn how to use its strengths. The choice is yours.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail 2008 in Vista Ultimate x64 SP1)