My user profile Documents 'owned' by LocalService in My Computer

[Guest]

When viewing My Computer in XP Pro (SP2) I have 3 document folders shown; at
the top is "My Documents" which displays all my documents. At the bottom of
the list there are "Shared Documents", "UserA Documents" and "Ken's
Documents"

If I click on Ken's Documents (that's me) it shows a directory that isnt
mine. If I examine the properties of said folder it belongs to 'LocalService'
and not me...

What has happened and can I fix it ?

(Background: I had been having issues with a secondary hard drive that
was failing causing the system to run very slowly or hangup and it took for
ever to shut the computer down.. I have now replaced that failing hard
drive. I also have had a couple of messages saying part of the registry
(User?) had to be replaced)

Thanks

Ken

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

See Help and Support and search for "take ownership"

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308421

 

[Guest]

Doug - Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure that that is the issue - I will
certainly try. I may have misled you on the 'Properties' bit of my question.

If I look at the Properties it says that Ken's Documents is located in :
"C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\My Documents"
when in fact it should be pointing to
"C:\Documents and Settings\Ken\My Documents"

That's what I meant....

Thanks

Ken

 

[Shenan Stanley]

When viewing My Computer in XP Pro (SP2) I have 3 document folders
shown; at the top is "My Documents" which displays all my
documents. At the bottom of the list there are "Shared Documents",
"UserA Documents" and "Ken's Documents"

If I click on Ken's Documents (that's me) it shows a directory that
isnt mine. If I examine the properties of said folder it belongs to
'LocalService' and not me...

What has happened and can I fix it ?

(Background: I had been having issues with a secondary hard
drive that was failing causing the system to run very slowly or
hangup and it took for ever to shut the computer down.. I have
now replaced that failing hard drive. I also have had a couple of
messages saying part of the registry (User?) had to be replaced)

See Help and Support and search for "take ownership"

HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=308421

Doug - Thanks for the reply. I'm not sure that that is the issue - I
will certainly try. I may have misled you on the 'Properties' bit of
my question.

If I look at the Properties it says that Ken's Documents is located
in : "C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService\My Documents"
when in fact it should be pointing to
"C:\Documents and Settings\Ken\My Documents"

That's what I meant....

Right click on My Documents on your desktop and select properties. Under
the target tab, try restore default first.. If that does not redirect
properly - change it manually.

 

[Guest]

Hi
Thanks for the quick reply.

However both of you have missed the point..."My Documents" is correct and
points to the correct directory.

It is what is contained within the LocalService User profile that is not
correct.
When I look in the Directory structure for LocalService user I see a
directory called Ken's Documents.......this is what I am referring to.

My guess is that what is supposed to appear in here is the currently signed
on user's "My Documents" directory or pointer to that directory. Instead what
we have is a pointer to a directory that isnt mine. THis directory is
probably normally hidden but I have everything visible.

It would be useful if I could show a screen print of what I mean.

Thanks

Ken

 

[Shenan Stanley]

When viewing My Computer in XP Pro (SP2) I have 3 document folders
shown; at the top is "My Documents" which displays all my
documents. At the bottom of the list there are "Shared Documents",
"UserA Documents" and "Ken's Documents"

If I click on Ken's Documents (that's me) it shows a directory that
isnt mine. If I examine the properties of said folder it belongs to
'LocalService' and not me...

What has happened and can I fix it ?

Thanks for the quick reply.

However both of you have missed the point..."My Documents" is correct
and points to the correct directory.

It is what is contained within the LocalService User profile that is
not correct.
When I look in the Directory structure for LocalService user I see a
directory called Ken's Documents.......this is what I am referring to.

My guess is that what is supposed to appear in here is the currently
signed on user's "My Documents" directory or pointer to that
directory. Instead what we have is a pointer to a directory that isnt
mine. THis directory is probably normally hidden but I have
everything visible.

It would be useful if I could show a screen print of what I mean.

Well, when you said, " If I click on Ken's Documents (that's me) it shows a
directory that isnt mine. If I examine the properties of said folder it
belongs to 'LocalService' and not me...", that pretty much tells me whatever
shortcut you are using for your My Documents is wrong. heh

You can send a picture. My email works - try it.. Attach a JPG or
something (PRINT SCREEN, paste into MS PAINT, Save AS and attach to an EMAIL
to me..) so I can see what you mean. =)

newshelper.at.gmail.dot.net

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

I would hazard a guess that somehow, a copy got placed there. By default, there are no My Documents folders in the LocalService profile (C:\Documents and Settings\LocalService). Just Application Data, Cookies and Local Settings.

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Hi Ken,

Fix the DocFolderPaths for your profile. Open Regedit.exe and navigate to
the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DocFolderPaths

In the right-pane, double-click "Robert" and set it's value as follows:

C:\Documents and Settings\Robert\My Documents

Ref my post:
http://groups.google.co.in/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support/msg/2a83ec436fa03127

--
Ramesh, MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

Windows XP Newsgroup Setup Instructions for Outlook Express:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroupsetup.mspx

 

[Guest]

Shenan

Thanks for the reply - unfortunately I missed your offer of being able to
send a screen print !
However Ramesh has given the correct fix - I just tried it and it worked.
I appreciate your help.
Thanks

Ken

 

[Guest]

Doug - thanks for that..
I appreciate your help.

It certainly got rid of the wrong entry.
However Ramesh has given the correct fix - I tried it just now and it works
fine

Thanks

Ken

 

[Guest]

Hi Ramesh .

I appreciate your help and a big thank-you for your suggestion because it
has fixed the issue.

Thanks

Ken

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

You're welcome Ken!

--
Ramesh, MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com

Windows XP Newsgroup Setup Instructions for Outlook Express:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/newsgroupsetup.mspx