WinXP no longer remembers some settings such as default browser

[~~~ .NET Ed ~~~]

I have a strange problem with my WinXP SP1 installation, it was ok until
recently I have been noticing this annoying problem. I know the computer is
virus free (that is a fact), and my account is a Limited Account.

I have also installed FireFox web browser . Every time it starts up it
asks "FireFox is not the default browser. Would you like to make it the
default web browser?". I press OK. Logoff and Logon to the same account
again.
When I start FireFox it asks the same question again, the system no longer
remembers the default browser. In fact even when I click on a link it starts
up IE instead of FF which is supposed to be my default browser.

I have also noticed that certain programs (an editor) also is unable to
remember certain settings, even Visual Studio seems to forget things.

I know some months ago the magnificent Logitech Product Support (pun
INTENDED) asked me to give the limited account full rights on the
HKLC\Software\CurrentControlSet\Enum (well, something like that, it was the
current control Enum tree). I did. Well now I have tried removing those
rights, put them back on again (no longer remember if the limited account
should have rights on this) but makes no difference. Only like I said,
certain programs now suffer form amnesia!.

Is there perhaps some almighty registry key that could be the culprit of the
problem?

Thx,
E.

 

[Joseph Meehan]

I have a strange problem with my WinXP SP1 installation, it was ok until
recently I have been noticing this annoying problem. I know the computer
is
virus free (that is a fact), and my account is a Limited Account.

"I know the computer is virus free (that is a fact)" famous last words.

I have also installed FireFox web browser . Every time it starts up it
asks "FireFox is not the default browser. Would you like to make it the
default web browser?". I press OK. Logoff and Logon to the same account
again.
When I start FireFox it asks the same question again, the system no longer
remembers the default browser. In fact even when I click on a link it
starts
up IE instead of FF which is supposed to be my default browser.

I have also noticed that certain programs (an editor) also is unable to
remember certain settings, even Visual Studio seems to forget things.

I am going to guess this is the result of some security features -
settings of one or more programs you have installed.

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

I think it might help to 'toggle' the registry setting for the default
browser (at least)
e.g.
Set Firefox as default.. Open IE, tools menu, Options, program tab, and
change the checkbox for '"IE should check to see if it is the default
browser" checkbox. You want to set it to checked, restart, open IE, tell it
yes, default. Uncheck the box, OK, restart, set firefox to default again,
then open IE, to see if it asks for default.

If you toggle these setting off and on, I think you might clear the error.

 

[~~~ .NET Ed ~~~]

Tried that, no result. So where is it that Windows stores these defaults?
Obviously while no "error" is being produced it is failing to successfuly
write these new defaults.

I also set the IE to not check if it was a default. Rebooted the machine and
started IE and to my dismay the option was AGAIN automatically checked!.
Then I unchecked it again, exited the program. Started the program again and
there it was, it was checked again! there must be some place where I am not
getting enough permissions to save the settings and yet that it simply does
not produce any error on its inability to write.

I hope I get this problem solved, I am getting pretty tired of having to
work with a "disabled" Windows XP and re-installing is definitely not an
option.

Thx,
Emilio

 

[Mark L. Ferguson]

If you have SP2 installed there is a new app on the start menu to set
program defaults. start/all programs, see area at the top