My Docs folder problem after XP Home downgrade

[Penthor-Mul]

I recently installed XP Home over an XP Pro installation. As you can
guess the new install was not a clean install. I do not want to go back
at this time and do it right with an Fdisk. I just need help with an
unusual problem.

There were and still are 2 partitions on the HDD, C & E. In the
original installation I had My Docs moved to the E partition and it was
called “Daughters Documents” on that part. When I installed Home I
again moved the My Docs to part E but this time called it “Daughters
Documents on E”.

For some reason the new installation is still using the original
“Daughters Documents” on part E, in addition to using the newly created
“Daughters Documents on E”.

The address for each is:
The original Daughters Documents: My Computer\Daughters Documents
The new Daughters Documents on E: My Computer\E\Daughters Documents on E

Strangely, when I select the original “Daughters Documents” in Explorer,
in the address bar the folder is listed as “Daughters Documents on E”,
which is the name I gave My Docs on part E in the new Home install. So
now I have 2 identical My Doc folders on part E:, each with a different
name, but each behaving identically. When I delete or add a file to one
of the folders, it is automatically added to the other.

I’m sure some of you more experienced folks are shaking your heads and
rolling your eyes. And that’s OK. I also got a brief bit of amusement
when I realized what had happened. Now, short of a proper clean
install, is there a way to get rid of just one of these folders?

Penthor

 

[Claymore]

So now I have 2 identical My Doc folders on part E:, each with a different
name, but each behaving identically. When I delete or add a file to one
of the folders, it is automatically added to the other.

Hello Penthor,

From the above, one of these has to be just a shortcut to the other (or

both are shortcuts to the real folder), but with a different name.
Right-click on each and see what it says under Properties.

 

[Penthor-Mul]

Hello Penthor,

both are shortcuts to the real folder), but with a different name.
Right-click on each and see what it says under Properties.

That's a good idea. In Properties the original "Daughters Documents" is
listed as "Daughters Documents on E", which is the new one created for
the XP Home install. So I guess the original is now just a shortcut,
although it doesn't actually say shortcut in it's Properties, and there
are no little shortcut arrows on each icon as there are in other parts
of the system. Still, if I change something in the original version it
is also changed in the newly created version.

I would just start over with fdisk but the daughter is taking this
laptop to school with her when she heads back later today. There just
isn't enuf time.

Penthor

 

[DL]

You dont use Fdisk, you use the tools provided with the winxp installation
cd, to setup the hd

 

[Penthor-Mul]

You dont use Fdisk, you use the tools provided with the winxp installation
cd, to setup the hd

OK DL, point me to those tools please. I had expected to be given the
option to format the partition when I first installed XP Home, as is the
case with XP Pro. I didn't get that option. Can you tell me how to get
that option from the CD when I install Home?

Thanks for responding. I have not been able to find this same problem
with Google.

Penthor

 

[Shenan Stanley]

OK point me to those tools please. I had expected to be given
the option to format the partition when I first installed XP Home,
as is the case with XP Pro. I didn't get that option. Can you
tell me how to get that option from the CD when I install Home?

Thanks for responding. I have not been able to find this same
problem with Google.

When installing Windows XP Home Edition by booting from the CD/6 floppy
diskettes, you do get presented with the 'where do you wish to install'
question.

At that point - DELETE any and all partitions that you want. My
recommendation to ensure everything is gone is to then create twice as many
partitions as you intend to actually use and after it does so - reboot.
Start the install again and when it gets to that point (where it asks you
which partition ot install on) delete the partitions you created before and
create the layout you actually desire. You should be presented with a
Format option. Quick NTFS is usually fine - but you may want to do a full
to verify the drive is okay.

 

[Penthor-Mul]

When installing Windows XP Home Edition by booting from the CD/6 floppy
diskettes, you do get presented with the 'where do you wish to install'
question.

At that point - DELETE any and all partitions that you want. My
recommendation to ensure everything is gone is to then create twice as many
partitions as you intend to actually use and after it does so - reboot.
Start the install again and when it gets to that point (where it asks you
which partition ot install on) delete the partitions you created before and
create the layout you actually desire. You should be presented with a
Format option. Quick NTFS is usually fine - but you may want to do a full
to verify the drive is okay.

I did see the question about where to install. I chose an existing part
expecting it to give me the format option next. It didn't. And I
didn't notice any option to delete a part. I guess I missed it. Durn!!

But as I said, I do not have time right now to start over. And I
surmise from the responses here there is no way to get rid of the extra
My Documents. She'll live with it; just another item in the folder list
for now.

Penthor

 

[Claymore]

Hi again,

If you check the Properties and it shows a Target field, then it's a
shortcut. Try renaming it. These system shortcuts don't have the
shortcut arrow. If it's real annoying you can delete it if you want,
but make sure it's the shortcut you're deleting, and not the folder.

 

[Penthor-Mul]

Hi again,

If you check the Properties and it shows a Target field, then it's a
shortcut. Try renaming it. These system shortcuts don't have the
shortcut arrow. If it's real annoying you can delete it if you want,
but make sure it's the shortcut you're deleting, and not the folder.

Well, I no longer have access to the laptop. The daughter has "left the
building". However, the original "Daughters Documents" properties
listed the name or target (don't remember) as the new "Daughters
Documents on E". However, any changed I made in that original folder
was automagically duplicated in the new "Daughters Documents on E".
That included adding files, renaming files and deleting files. I don't
think there is going to be an easy fix.

Penthor

 

[Claymore]

Penthor,

I'm not sure you're getting it, or maybe it's me, for which I
apologize. If you click the shortcut it opens the "real" folder, so
naturally any changes you make there are reflected in both. If you make
a change to the "real" folder, then of course these changes are
reflected in the shortcut, which is only a shortcut to the folder where
you made the changes.
For example, normally when you open My Computer and you see My
Documents listed at the bottom, this isn't the My Documents folder, but
just a shortcut. The "real" My Documents is in the User's profile
folder.

 

[Penthor-Mul]

Penthor,

I'm not sure you're getting it, or maybe it's me, for which I
apologize. If you click the shortcut it opens the "real" folder, so
naturally any changes you make there are reflected in both. If you make
a change to the "real" folder, then of course these changes are
reflected in the shortcut, which is only a shortcut to the folder where
you made the changes.
For example, normally when you open My Computer and you see My
Documents listed at the bottom, this isn't the My Documents folder, but
just a shortcut. The "real" My Documents is in the User's profile
folder.

Yes, that is my understanding. And daughter will just have to live with
it for now....if she even notices it:0