Desktop appearance change and newly empty files.

[Guest]

I am using Windows XP SP2.

I was trying to change a word document into a pdf. It was taking a long
time and nothing seemed to be happening. After several starts and stops I
managed to change the file. However, a window briefly appeared (1-2 seconds)
that I was unable to read. After this lightning fast window disappeared all
of the icons on my desktop were framed in blue and the text box was also now
filled in with blue. I thought this was strange but the system still
functioned. It just looked funny. This went along for about 12 hours during
which time I shut down three times as I had to move my laptop. After turning
on the laptop this last time I discovered that after double-left-clicking on
the desktop icons, I am unable to see any files in the folder icons displayed
on the desktop and a search box pops up. But if I right-click and then click
open, the files are there and accessible. I don't get it.
As part of my feeble attempts to right this situation I tried to restore the
system. I went back 1 day and I was shown a display box that said the
restoration could not occur. I tried to go back 2, the 3, then 4 and finally
after going back 5 days it restored. To no avail. I am still looking at
icons with a blue shadow or frame around them.
Anyone able to help? Thank you.--
HELP

 

[Ron Badour]

The search box opening is probably a file folder association problem. To
check this, open Explorer, click on tools, folder options and file types
tab. Click on File Folder and click the advanced button. Is find in bold
face type (means it is the default)? If so, go to:
http://www.dougknox.com/ and on the left, click on Win XP Fixes. Scroll
down to File Association Fixes and click it. Scroll down to Folder
Association Fix and download it. This will give you a .reg file in a .zip
file. Unzip the .reg file and double click it to restore the default
association for a file folder.

I've not heard of the blue icon problem before and have little to offer on
it. Have you tried right clicking a shortcut, select properties, on the
shortcut tab click Change Icon and try assigning a different icon (note,
make sure of the location of the existing icon so you can change back).
Make any difference?

 

[Guest]

All is fine and correct with your message up until the point you suggest the
www.dougknox.com/. When I click on that link all I get is a window that says
http 404 not found. So I can't go any further there. Thank you.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

All is fine and correct with your message up until the point you
suggest the www.dougknox.com/. When I click on that link all I get
is a window that says http 404 not found. So I can't go any
further there. Thank you.

Copy this line into your address bar of your Internet Browser:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

Visit that site and continue with the instructions...

 

[Ron Badour]

Strange--I clicked the link in the posted message and Doug's site opened
right up. Shenan's instructions should work around the problem.

 

[Guest]

Okay. I was able to get the folder association file to download. I opened
it and followed the instructions. I then tried to double-click on a folder
on my desktop. No change. A search box still appears. I restarted my
computer. No change.

 

[Elmo]

Okay. I was able to get the folder association file to download. I opened
it and followed the instructions. I then tried to double-click on a folder
on my desktop. No change. A search box still appears. I restarted my
computer. No change.

This simple reg fix, from Kelly's Korner doesn't seem to be included in
Doug Knox's reg fix. Maybe it'll help.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/folderopenssearch.reg

 

[Guest]

That did it. Everything is back to normal in regards to opening folders with
a double-left click. Thank you all very much. Now if I could just get rid
of the annoying blue shadow/frame on the icons and the blue text box the
world will be as one. Thanks again.

 

[Nightowl]

That did it. Everything is back to normal in regards to opening folders with
a double-left click. Thank you all very much. Now if I could just get rid
of the annoying blue shadow/frame on the icons and the blue text box the
world will be as one. Thanks again.

Mark, when you say you have a "blue frame" round the icons, do you
really mean around the icon (the picture/symbol) or around the icon
text, the title saying what it is?