Windows XP - settings do not save

[DTRutan]

I have a Toshiba laptop with Windows XP home. There is a problem with
saving settings on the laptop. Any changes to desktop or
configuration will not save. There isn't any error message and I have
ran NIS scan, Spybot and Updated windows. I have tried to create new
users with admin authority but nothing has worked. Any Ideas?

 

[R. McCarty]

Not always, but I've seen cases of where Norton Internet Security
on a machine will interfere with maintaining settings. By creating new
users you've eliminated the issue as being profile specific and verified
it's a system wide condition.
Without doing a Moe Howard "Eye-Poke" at Norton, I'd suggest a
different combination of security software ( Cheaper, Leaner and to
a degree more effective )
AV - AVG Free or NOD32 ( ~$39.00 )
Firewall - Zone Alarm Free
Real-Time Malware Blocking - Windows Defender
Any Norton Home product exhibits two common traits, it slows the
machine down and introduces a whole list of "Quirks" and issues the
machine wouldn't normally experience if it didn't have Norton on it.

 

[Rock]

I have a Toshiba laptop with Windows XP home. There is a problem with
saving settings on the laptop. Any changes to desktop or
configuration will not save. There isn't any error message and I have
ran NIS scan, Spybot and Updated windows. I have tried to create new
users with admin authority but nothing has worked. Any Ideas?

Try running the edit on Kelly's site:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Line 30: Windows XP Doesn't Save User Settings

See the top of the page for info on running the edit.

 

[PA Bear]

One or more options/settings in an ever-growing number of third-party
applications may be disallowing the change(s). These include but are not
limited to Ad-aware's Ad-Watch, *Spybot Tea Timer*, SpywareBlaster,
SpySweeper, Spyware Doctor, *Norton AntiVirus*, McAfee VirusScan and/or
Antispyware, and Zone Alarm (Free and Pro).

Here's something else about NAV that you may not be aware of:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/symantecdoc1.html