Windows Nags/Annoyances I'd Love Clearing Up

[Michael M]

Have a few lingering Windows XP annoyances I am trying
to clean up.
1) Have tried for 2+yrs to get windows folders/files to
open up *consistently* in the way I format them. Their
behavior seems to be very capricious, more often than not
changing according to the roll of the dice. About 75% of
the time my preference is Icon View, sorted by type, shown
in groups; 15% Details sorted by type in groups and the
remaining 10% (for graphics) as Thumbnails sorted by size.
I sense that customize folder and/or sub-folders
in "View" impacts this, but have never seen documentation
on how customization effects the other view choices. ie.
While in Picture View, have adjusted Thumbs to Icons,
customized folder and sub-folder to documents closed
window and when reopened, view goes to tiles.
Have used Hold Ctrl> Close, Hold Shift> Close, as
well as several view permutations w/ sporadic
success/failure.

2)Since the complete viral annhillation and subsequent
reformatting of my OS I run 2 hard drives- one w/ as an XP
OS , basic progs/utilities, and docsback-up. I mention
this, because I think it relates to another recurring,
intermittent problem at start up. I get two alternating
versions of the command line? (B/W screen) approx. every
4th boot-up. One screen has a windows driver file is
missing NTFS? and try repair/recovery by entering "r" .
The other states system didn't shut down correctly and
gives Safe Option/s and hit "Enter" to start Win.
Normally. I always recover w/o a problem (I believe Bios
is set to go to 2nd HD designated "D:\" if problem
w/ "C:\" occurs) but not sure. Regardless, it makes me
somwhat queazy to see the "trouble" screens so often and
would like to correct. Win Update says my drivers are OK.
Where should I start tracing this bug?

3)In Internet Options, despite my wishes, Outlook Express
assigned itself NewsGroup client and there is no option to
correct. I have moved OE to the bcckup HD (against Windows
objections) but still can't assign my normal NewsClient .
Any directions?

4)Would prefer to limit system pop-ups to files and not
have them on menus or task bar, but recall reding in PC
Mag? that this can't be done. Agree w/ that?

This all may seem trivial, but there are also other little
annoyances I am working on or have cleared up and in toto,
theres alot of wasted motion and time and would love to
resolve issues. Don't know if other OS's would present the
same amount, albeit, different difficulties, but
ultimately the liittle nags have me thinking about change.

 

[Taurarian]

If you have not comfortable with editing the registry suggest you have a
look at:
Increase Folder View Options Limit: (Line 2):
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

How to fix this annoying problem:
The Default for Windows XP is to remember the view settings for the 400
most recently used folders.

The Folder information is stored in the registry by these two keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell
and
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam
These keys can be modified to force XP to remember more folder settings.

1. Open Windows Explorer and go to Tools--Folder Options--View Ensure that
"Remember each folder's view settings" is checked.

2. Open Regedit and go to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell. Right-click
on "Shell", then follow to New--Key--DWORD Value. Name this item "BagMRU
Size" (without quotation marks, but with a space between BagMRU and Size).
Double-click BagMRU Size, give it a Decimal value of 2000, then click OK.

3. Now go to HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam. Create another
BagMRU Size DWORD Value for "ShellNoRoam". Again, give it a Decimal value of
2000, then click OK.

4. You will have two "BagMRU Size" values equal to 0x000007d0 (2000).

5. Close the registry and reboot.

Windows XP will now remember 2000 folder view settings instead of 400
You could also try higher values if you so desire.


Note you can save the registry key first by:
On the File menu, click Export.
In the File name box, type SaveKey, and then click Save.
Or create a system restore point prior to editing.
Note: If the registry key is not there, you can simply create one by going
edit > new.



http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;322756
HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows XP
Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may
require you to reinstall your operating system. Use the information provided
at your own risk.

 

[Lou]

-----Original Message-----
Have a few lingering Windows XP annoyances I am trying
to clean up.
1) Have tried for 2+yrs to get windows folders/files to
open up *consistently* in the way I format them. Their
behavior seems to be very capricious, more often than not
changing according to the roll of the dice. About 75% of
the time my preference is Icon View, sorted by type, shown
in groups; 15% Details sorted by type in groups and the
remaining 10% (for graphics) as Thumbnails sorted by size.
I sense that customize folder and/or sub-folders
in "View" impacts this, but have never seen documentation
on how customization effects the other view choices. ie.
While in Picture View, have adjusted Thumbs to Icons,
customized folder and sub-folder to documents closed
window and when reopened, view goes to tiles.
Have used Hold Ctrl> Close, Hold Shift> Close, as
well as several view permutations w/ sporadic
success/failure.

2)Since the complete viral annhillation and subsequent
reformatting of my OS I run 2 hard drives- one w/ as an XP
OS , basic progs/utilities, and docsback-up. I mention
this, because I think it relates to another recurring,
intermittent problem at start up. I get two alternating
versions of the command line? (B/W screen) approx. every
4th boot-up. One screen has a windows driver file is
missing NTFS? and try repair/recovery by entering "r" .
The other states system didn't shut down correctly and
gives Safe Option/s and hit "Enter" to start Win.
Normally. I always recover w/o a problem (I believe Bios
is set to go to 2nd HD designated "D:\" if problem
w/ "C:\" occurs) but not sure. Regardless, it makes me
somwhat queazy to see the "trouble" screens so often and
would like to correct. Win Update says my drivers are OK.
Where should I start tracing this bug?

3)In Internet Options, despite my wishes, Outlook Express
assigned itself NewsGroup client and there is no option to
correct. I have moved OE to the bcckup HD (against Windows
objections) but still can't assign my normal NewsClient .
Any directions?

4)Would prefer to limit system pop-ups to files and not
have them on menus or task bar, but recall reding in PC
Mag? that this can't be done. Agree w/ that?

This all may seem trivial, but there are also other little
annoyances I am working on or have cleared up and in toto,
theres alot of wasted motion and time and would love to
resolve issues. Don't know if other OS's would present the
same amount, albeit, different difficulties, but
ultimately the liittle nags have me thinking about change.
.
I have Powertoys for xp installed and went to

explorer/customizations and increased folders to 40000.
Just checked my registery like other post said and 40000
were there just thought this might be easier.

 

[MichaelM]

-----Original Message-----
If you have not comfortable with editing the registry suggest you have a
snip<

TX for quick and excellent reply. I am compfortable in the
registry and am going there to make change. Any ideas on
other prob?

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----
If you have not comfortable with editing the registry suggest you have a
snip<

PS I'm really getting tired of these idiot Spammers who
are so impolite as to leave their caps on when visiting
other peoples homes. Some people must thrive on being
despised.