WinKey+E = (null)

[wernertk]

Hi all.

Windows XP Home SP3

I hope someone can help me out with this one:

After installing Service Pack 3, I'm getting "Windows cannot find '(null)'.
Make sure you typed the correct name correctly, and then try again. To search
for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search"
when I use the WinKey+E to open Explorer, and download torrents from
beta.legaltorrents.com from within Firefox. I don't use Internet Explorer 7
that much.
I have tried the reg key from windowsxp.mvps.org/ie/905915.htm, but that did
not help.

Can someone please give me an idea at least of what is going on with my poor
XP

 

[wernertk]

EDIT:

Forgot to add something. Before I used the regkey from
windowsxp.mvps.org/ie/905915.htm, I got an error message "parameter is
incorrect" when pressing the WinKey+E and no Windows Explorer. After the
regkey, I got the above error message, and still no explorer.

 

[David Webb]

Google found this link to a possible fix for your problem.

http://www.pctools.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-29720.html

Do not try to manually edit your registry, simply copy and paste the text into a
notepad file, save it as "x.reg", and then merge it into your registry.

Be sure that the first line reads:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec\topic]
@="AppProperties"

And there's a space after the last line.

 

[wernertk]

Great Stuff

My Explorer opens now when I use WinKey+E !!
Thank you so much!

Still getting the "Windows cannot find '(null)'.
Make sure you typed the correct name..." message as well. Any idea how I can
fool windows to tell it that it actually opened the explorer with files in
and not just that it found '(null)' ? xD

Google found this link to a possible fix for your problem.

http://www.pctools.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-29720.html

Do not try to manually edit your registry, simply copy and paste the text into a
notepad file, save it as "x.reg", and then merge it into your registry.

Be sure that the first line reads:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec\topic]
@="AppProperties"

And there's a space after the last line.

EDIT:

Forgot to add something. Before I used the regkey from
windowsxp.mvps.org/ie/905915.htm, I got an error message "parameter is
incorrect" when pressing the WinKey+E and no Windows Explorer. After the
regkey, I got the above error message, and still no explorer.

 

[David Webb]

Comments inline...

Great Stuff

My Explorer opens now when I use WinKey+E !!
Thank you so much!

Still getting the "Windows cannot find '(null)'.

What were you doing when you got that error message? Were you in Windows
Explorer? If so, give us some details.

Make sure you typed the correct name..." message as well. Any idea how I can
fool windows to tell it that it actually opened the explorer with files in
and not just that it found '(null)' ? xD

Google found this link to a possible fix for your problem.

http://www.pctools.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-29720.html

Do not try to manually edit your registry, simply copy and paste the text
into a
notepad file, save it as "x.reg", and then merge it into your registry.

Be sure that the first line reads:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec\topic]
@="AppProperties"

And there's a space after the last line.

EDIT:

Forgot to add something. Before I used the regkey from
windowsxp.mvps.org/ie/905915.htm, I got an error message "parameter is
incorrect" when pressing the WinKey+E and no Windows Explorer. After the
regkey, I got the above error message, and still no explorer.

 

[wernertk]

Thank yo so much for your time looking into this

I've been thinking the whole day what I did to have caused it. I was quick
to give SP3 the fault, and realized that this occurred about 2 days after
installing it. So SP3 is not the problem.

The only thing I can think of was I used a tweak program (PC Health
Optimizer) to hide a drive in My Computer called G:. This drive was created
by installing a Canon MP520 Printer, and seemed like a useless entry for me.

So I think the problem started turning the printer on/off and it could not
display the G: drive.

I only tweaked the hiding drive, and removing "Short-Cut to..." in the tweak
program.

So when I right-click the Start Button and click Explorer/Open, I don't get
the '(null)' error. It's only when I use WinKey+E, right-click My Computer
and clicking Explore. Maybe It's pointing to something in the registry that
My Computer should show, but can't. I'm gonna do some system restores, to
see if it fixes it

 

[David Webb]

Comments inline...

Thank yo so much for your time looking into this

I've been thinking the whole day what I did to have caused it. I was quick
to give SP3 the fault, and realized that this occurred about 2 days after
installing it. So SP3 is not the problem.

The only thing I can think of was I used a tweak program (PC Health
Optimizer) to hide a drive in My Computer called G:. This drive was created
by installing a Canon MP520 Printer, and seemed like a useless entry for me.

So I think the problem started turning the printer on/off and it could not
display the G: drive.

I only tweaked the hiding drive, and removing "Short-Cut to..." in the tweak
program.

So when I right-click the Start Button and click Explorer/Open, I don't get
the '(null)' error. It's only when I use WinKey+E, right-click My Computer
and clicking Explore. Maybe It's pointing to something in the registry that
My Computer should show, but can't. I'm gonna do some system restores, to
see if it fixes it

Your last paragraph is what I was looking for. When I perform the same steps
nothing happens except a screen blink since the folder tree is already expanded.
I assume that your folder tree is not expanded, if so, what happens when you
click on the + icon next to My Computer?

BTW, if you do any system restores, you'll most likely loose the registry tweak
you did to restore the Winkey+E function.

 

[wernertk]

System Restore did not fix it.

Something strange though. I wanted to see if adding virtual drives would
help, and when I added one (virtual cd drive) the "explore" option for My
Computer disappeared... When I right click My Computer, I can only open it.
There's no option to explore it.

Pressing WinKey+E gives me a "The Parameter is incorrect" error box, and
explorer does not open... mmm. Hope this can be of help. Adding the regkey
entries in the link you provided earlier, gives back to option to "explore"
My Computer.

 

[David Webb]

Since your original post implied that SP3 started these problems, why not try
uninstalling it and revert back to SP2?

If all is well afterwards then reinstall SP3 but be sure to deactivate your
anti-virus app before doing so.

Other than that, I'm out of ideas.

Good luck!

 

[wernertk]

Thanks David.
I was thinking that XP needs a format as well, so I'm gonna do a fresh
install today
Should fix up the error, I'm sure.

Thanks again for your help and time you took looking into this with me. Just
hoped that we could've figured out what caused it
Regards

 

[David Webb]

Problems such as yours are usually the result of installation and/or removal of
3rd party applications and the use of registry cleaners. Stay away from registry
cleaners.

Although Windows XP's System Restore does restore the registry and can get one
out of a jam once in a while, I've found that sometimes the required restore
point is not usable.

After your reinstallation of WinXP, I recommend that you look into running ERUNT
to backup and restore your registry beyond what is done via System Restore. It
also includes a registry optimizer tool.

ERUNT
http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

I use the Autoback.exe tool that is supplied in the current version of ERUNT.
This backs up the complete registry during system startup. By default it saves
30 days worth, each one in its own dated folder. I limit mine to the last 7
days. This automatic routine solves the problem of the occasionally forgotten
System Restore backup task. ERUNT backups can easily be restored from within
Windows or the Recovery Console.

Good luck!