IE favorites don't work

[Tim Collins]

I'm running Win2K professional, and IE 6.0

I cannot access the favorites in IE. The menu item is there, but no
shortcuts show, and I can't add favorites. Yet if I look in "Documents and
settings" in the file system, the favorites folder is there.

I'm the only one using this machine, but I do use a restricted account for
normal work. There appears to be no problem with the security settings on
the favorites folder. I do notice that the top level "favorites" folder is
set "read only", and cannot be changed from that (even logged on as
administrator). The subfolders are not read only. This is true of other
accounts too, but the favorites work in when IE is opened in those accounts.

This problem started all of a sudden--the favorites showed up before.

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Tim

Try clearing your TIF and see if that will help:

Safely Delete the Temporary Internet Files
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm


If these steps do not resolve your problem, please post back to this thread
with the details and any error messages.

Hope this helps

Jan
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

Please reply to the newsgroup so others may benefit.
How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Tim Collins]

Thanks for the suggestion, Jan!
Still doesn't work, however. There were no error messages. There are still
some cookies in the Temp Internet Files folder, but they don't amount to
much [I hate to delete them, though I guess they could be moved
temporarily]. The TIF folder is set to allow up to 300mb.

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Tim

'k....good to have that out of the way first in case it was the cause. I
don't see the version of Windows you are using, so I'll take a bit of a
guess around here. Try the following and see if it helps. Some may overlap
a bit, but, just address the ones that may apply in your situation:

Problems with the Favorites folder
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers3.htm#favorites

Tip 34 - Internet Explorer Favorites are missing/empty
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/IEFAQ.htm

or........

Favorites are missing

Courtesy of Remesh -

Open Registry Editor and navigate to this location:
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders]
In the right-pane, double-click "Favorites" and copy the value and post it
here.

The correct value should be: "%USERPROFILE%\Favorites"

or........................

Use FolderRedirector utility and reset the shell folder paths for Favorites
to the default values (both user shell folders and shell folders registry
keys)

Using FolderRedirector utility to redirect special folders in Windows XP:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/folderredirector.htm

or..

Display all the links on the favorites menu

Bookmark Wizard http://www.moonsoftware.com/freeware.asp
AMdead Link http://www.aignes.com/products.htm

I use Bookmark Wizard (Step 2 of 4 you have to check to add the url to the
end of the list)

You can also save this to floppy to carry around

also.....

Favorites not working

Tools - Internet Options - Programs - Reset Web Settings

or.........

Courtesy of Ramesh - MS MVP

This is most likely due to corrupt InternetShortcut or http file
association. "Reset Web Settings" fixes this symptom. Another option is to
run the command "regsvr32 /i shdocvw.dll" from Start/Run dialog.

Lost Faviorites Menu

Courtesy of Ramesh:

You need to edit the registry. See "Description of the Microsoft Windows
registry" article:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;256986

If you don't prefer editing the registry, use this utility and reset the
Favorites path to defaults.
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/RedirectFolders.htm

* Select Favorites from the listbox and note down the value there.
* Optionally, you can backup the current user shell folder settings by
clicking "backup ......." button.
* Select Favorites from the listbox and click "Restore default" button in
the right-side.

or.......

Show All Items on the Start Menu or Favorites Menu

http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...port/kb/articles/Q230/5/96.ASP&NoWebContent=1
or
http://snipurl.com/78sk


If these steps do not resolve your problem, please post back to this thread
with the details and any error messages.

Hope this helps

Jan
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

Please reply to the newsgroup so others may benefit.
How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Thanks for the suggestion, Jan!
Still doesn't work, however. There were no error messages. There are
still some cookies in the Temp Internet Files folder, but they don't
amount to much [I hate to delete them, though I guess they could be
moved temporarily]. The TIF folder is set to allow up to 300mb.

Hi Tim

Try clearing your TIF and see if that will help:

Safely Delete the Temporary Internet Files
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/delcache.htm


If these steps do not resolve your problem, please post back to this
thread with the details and any error messages.

 

[Alan Edwards]

Perhaps the Registry reference is pointing to the wrong folder?

You can change the value of Favorites in the Registry in these
two keys: (ignore the second if the value is not there)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

....Alan

 

[Tim Collins]

Thank you, Jan and Alan for your knowledgeable advice... I'm getting closer
to a solution!
Alan's suggestion, which is also in one of Jan's links, was to check the
registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

Although this appears to be the problem, changing the keys to the correct
value doesn't "stick".
By the way, when I'm logged onto another account, these keys appear to be
the correct values, whereas they are not correct when I'm logged on to my
usual account. That's why this does seem to be the problem. The incorrect,
existing value for "Shell Folders" is blank, the existing value for "User
Shell Folders" is "C:\WINNT\Favorites". The correct values (on other
accounts) are C:\Documents and Settings\<account name>\Favorites and
%USERPROFILE%\Favorites

One of Jan's links mentioned the problem of changes not "sticking":
"Sometimes, the Shell Folders path for Favorites may revert to the previous
setting. If so, disable any browser / favorites management software provided
by your ISP and reset the Shell Folders as above..."

BUT, I don't believe I have any "favorites management software", and did
close down IE while editing the registry. Puzzling...

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Tim

Thank you, Jan and Alan for your knowledgeable advice... I'm getting
closer to a solution!
Alan's suggestion, which is also in one of Jan's links, was to check
the registry entries:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User
Shell Folders

Although this appears to be the problem, changing the keys to the
correct value doesn't "stick".
By the way, when I'm logged onto another account, these keys appear
to be the correct values, whereas they are not correct when I'm
logged on to my usual account. That's why this does seem to be the
problem. The incorrect, existing value for "Shell Folders" is blank,
the existing value for "User Shell Folders" is "C:\WINNT\Favorites".
The correct values (on other accounts) are C:\Documents and
Settings\<account name>\Favorites and %USERPROFILE%\Favorites

One of Jan's links mentioned the problem of changes not "sticking":
"Sometimes, the Shell Folders path for Favorites may revert to the
previous setting. If so, disable any browser / favorites management
software provided by your ISP and reset the Shell Folders as above..."

BUT, I don't believe I have any "favorites management software", and
did close down IE while editing the registry. Puzzling...

Make a backup copy of the registry first (Export to another folder). After
you have made the change to the Registry try doing the following:

1. Save the new change
2. Export a copy of the new change to another folder and rename it.
3. Close the Registry and immediately reboot
4. Go back into the Registry and see if the change has stuck
5. If not, replace the registry with the one that you exported and renamed
6. Immediately reboot
7. Check to see if the change from the replacement Registry stuck
8. If not, then I suspect you have a 3rd party program, such as a parasite
or malware, causing it to fail, so do the following:

In addition to running your updated anti-virus program, you should do the
following to be sure none of these are present on your system. Although
you may have already run one or more of the programs, please do so again
according to the instructions below. Some variants of
malware can replicate themselves over and over if not removed properly.
Please follow all instructions carefully to be sure your system is
thoroughly cleaned:

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
Be sure to run CWShredder, Ad-aware and Spybot.
Also be sure to use the About:Buster here
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4289.html
http://www.atribune.org/downloads/AboutBuster.zip
AdAware se (Free)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/
the newest version of CWShredder (2.0) here:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3019.html
and the HijackThis. Please do not post your log to this
newsgroup, but to the SpywareInfo or the Aumha HiJackThis forums
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30, to allow the experts there to
evaluate your log and advise you of the necessary steps to clean your
system.

CAUTION!!!!! Before you try to remove spyware using any of the programs
below, download a copy of LSPFIX from any of the following sites:
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
(if your OS is Win2k or XP) The process of removing certain malware may kill
your internet connection. If this should occur, this program, LSPFIX, will
enable you to regain your connection.

Also, get a copy of WinsockFix Utility
http://www.dfwonline.net/files/WinsockFix.zip
or
WinsockXPFix available at:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
and
WinsockXP Fix- WinXP
http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html
Also, with instructions, at
http://www.iup.edu/house/resnet/winfix.shtm
also
From LavaSoft- all versions of Windows-
http://digital-solutions.co.uk/lavasoft/whndnfix.zip
also ....
(NOTE: It is reported that in XP SP2, the command netsh winsock reset
will fix this problem without the need for these programs.)

Also.........

Courtesy of Jim Byrd -

Download Sysclean.com, from Trend Micro, here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp along with the latest pattern
file, here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp
Be sure to read the "How-to" info here:
http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/tsc/readme.txt
You might also want to get Art's updater, SYS-UP.Zip, here for future
updating of these: http://home.epix.net/~artnpeg/.
(If you download and use the updater from the beginning, it will
automatically handle downloading the other files. Place them in a dedicated
folder after appropriate unzipping, and then run. This scan may take a long
time, as Sysclean is VERY extensive and thorough

and......

NOTE: If you can not download these programs from the Internet, if your PC
has CD read capabilities, go to another computer with CD-ROM burning
capabilities. Create a folder on the hard drive of the other computer called
HOLD, download the programs to that folder, then burn that folder to a CD.
Copy the HOLD folder to your HD and then install the programs from there
and run them. After you have IE access again, update all programs where
possible to get the latest definitions and run them again in Safe Mode to be
sure there are no lingering items on the system.

also...........

Additional information on how to protect your PC:
The Parasite Fight http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
More security tips at http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups: http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

So how did I get infected in the first place?
http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.ph...ghlight=&sid=53751d8ff5915261af727df08e66ce0d
or
http://snipurl.com/980t

If these steps do not resolve your problem, please post back to this thread
with the details and any error messages.

Hope this helps

Jan
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

Please reply to the newsgroup so others may benefit.
How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

 

[Tim Collins]

Hi Jan,
It may take me a few days to work through all your helpful suggestions, but
here's an intermediate report!

Curiously, on first running Regedit today, I noticed that one of the
registry entries, the one which was blank before, is now "stuck" on the
value "C:\WINNT\Favorites" instead. So it changed, but not to the value I
changed it to. Also, Internet shortcuts put in *that* folder do show up in
IE. (It still would be nice to point to the correct folder, but I guess I
could move my shortcuts).

I tried editing the registry, exporting, rebooting, importing, rebooting.
Even though I have temporarily put my account in the Administrators' group,
part way through the importing process it gave an error message to the
effect "cannot access registry". However it had gotten far enough to import
the edited changes, which did not stick after rebooting. Maybe I'll try
exporting/importing just those branches. Also I'll try your other
suggestions. I do normally run logged on to a restricted user account, which
I hoped (naively?) would help protect me from malware.

Thanks!

 

[Tim Collins]

The solution turns out to be very interesting (at least to me)...and I would
not have found it without Jan's help!

I noticed in the "User Shell Folders" branch, that all the entries were of
type "REG_EXPAND_SZ", but the Favorites entry was REG_SZ. Also, on the other
user accounts, where the favorites menu is OK, the Favorites entry was of
type REG_EXPAND_SZ.

Unfortunately, it did not seem possible to edit the "type" of registry data,
or to enter a new item of the correct type. What did work was to export this
branch of the registry, then edit the exported text file, duplicating one of
the REG_EXPAND_SZ entries but changing the name to "Favorites". The exported
data was all Hex, but after importing the edited file back in, it was easy
to change the data to the correct value of %USERPROFILE%\Favorites. After
rebooting, this value and the value in the "Shell Folders" branch remained
correct, and I have my favorites back! Whew.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Jan Il]

Hi Tim

The solution turns out to be very interesting (at least to me)...and
I would not have found it without Jan's help!

I noticed in the "User Shell Folders" branch, that all the entries
were of type "REG_EXPAND_SZ", but the Favorites entry was REG_SZ.
Also, on the other user accounts, where the favorites menu is OK, the
Favorites entry was of type REG_EXPAND_SZ.

Unfortunately, it did not seem possible to edit the "type" of
registry data, or to enter a new item of the correct type. What did
work was to export this branch of the registry, then edit the
exported text file, duplicating one of the REG_EXPAND_SZ entries but
changing the name to "Favorites". The exported data was all Hex, but
after importing the edited file back in, it was easy to change the
data to the correct value of %USERPROFILE%\Favorites. After
rebooting, this value and the value in the "Shell Folders" branch
remained correct, and I have my favorites back! Whew.

Thanks again for your help.

You're very welcome! I'm glad to hear you were able to resolve your
problem. Good job!!

Thank you for posting back and letting us know what worked for you, and for
the benefit of other readers who might have a similar problem.

Jan
Smiles are meant to be shared,
that's why they're so contagious.

 

[Tim Collins]

One last comment:
I realize now that if I had been using regedt32 instead of regedit, I could
certainly have deleted the previous Favorites entry and created a
replacement entry of type REG_EXPAND_SZ. Because I was using regedit, it was
necessary to use the trick of exporting that branch of the registry, editing
the text file, and importing the edited file.