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Windows XP - Hard drive issues


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Guest Polish Don
Posted

My PC had some virues and now, after I've cleaned it off, when I try to open

my hard drive C: or D:, I get a "browse program" window

 

How can I fix this ?

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Guest Malke
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

Polish Don wrote:

> My PC had some virues and now, after I've cleaned it off, when I try to

> open my hard drive C: or D:, I get a "browse program" window

>

> How can I fix this ?

 

If the computer is truly clean, then right-click each drive and choose Open.

Then look for an auto.inf file at the root of each drive and delete it.

 

Be sure the computer is clean:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Guest Polish Don
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

Problem is, I cannot open the drive c: or d: easily. If I double click, It

opens a "Select Program" window. If I try to explore, I get the same

response. The only way I can access is to right click on the start bar, and

select the C: drive from there. All files are in tact and the PC boots fine.

 

"Malke" wrote:

> Polish Don wrote:

>

> > My PC had some virues and now, after I've cleaned it off, when I try to

> > open my hard drive C: or D:, I get a "browse program" window

> >

> > How can I fix this ?

>

> If the computer is truly clean, then right-click each drive and choose Open.

> Then look for an auto.inf file at the root of each drive and delete it.

>

> Be sure the computer is clean:

> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

>

> Malke

> --

> MS-MVP

> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

>

>

Guest Malke
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

Polish Don wrote:

> Problem is, I cannot open the drive c: or d: easily. If I double click,

> It

> opens a "Select Program" window. If I try to explore, I get the same

> response. The only way I can access is to right click on the start bar,

> and select the C: drive from there. All files are in tact and the PC boots

> fine.

 

Open it in any way that works and look for an auto.inf file as I already

told you. If you have the computer set to hide file extensions (example is

the .inf in "auto.inf") then set it to show these from Folder Options>View

tab, uncheck "Hide file extensions....".

 

If there is no auto.inf on either drive, the computer is either not really

virus/malware-free and/or the operating system has been damaged. What you

do next depends on that and your level of technical skills.

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Guest Polish Don
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

Well,

 

I'm checking a perfectly good PC that is identical (make/model/OS) that

works fine in this regard and there is no Auto.inf on that PC either. Both

PC's have Windows XP Media Edition 2002 SP3

 

"Malke" wrote:

> Polish Don wrote:

>

> > Problem is, I cannot open the drive c: or d: easily. If I double click,

> > It

> > opens a "Select Program" window. If I try to explore, I get the same

> > response. The only way I can access is to right click on the start bar,

> > and select the C: drive from there. All files are in tact and the PC boots

> > fine.

>

> Open it in any way that works and look for an auto.inf file as I already

> told you. If you have the computer set to hide file extensions (example is

> the .inf in "auto.inf") then set it to show these from Folder Options>View

> tab, uncheck "Hide file extensions....".

>

> If there is no auto.inf on either drive, the computer is either not really

> virus/malware-free and/or the operating system has been damaged. What you

> do next depends on that and your level of technical skills.

>

> Malke

> --

> MS-MVP

> Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

> FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

>

>

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

>I'm checking a perfectly good PC that is identical (make/model/OS) that

>works fine in this regard and there is no Auto.inf on that PC either. Both

>PC's have Windows XP Media Edition 2002 SP3

 

My guess is that the file association / action that's normally

supposed to open your C: or D: has been disassociated or damaged and

the only way to fix it would be to manually do it by seeing the file

associations on a working PC and compare them to the broken PC or

maybe to do a repair install using a slipstreamed SP3 CD for your MCE.

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Guest Polish Don
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

The other PC is virus free and acts properly

 

"Polish Don" wrote:

> Well,

>

> I'm checking a perfectly good PC that is identical (make/model/OS) that

> works fine in this regard and there is no Auto.inf on that PC either. Both

> PC's have Windows XP Media Edition 2002 SP3

>

> "Malke" wrote:

>

> > Polish Don wrote:

> >

> > > Problem is, I cannot open the drive c: or d: easily. If I double click,

> > > It

> > > opens a "Select Program" window. If I try to explore, I get the same

> > > response. The only way I can access is to right click on the start bar,

> > > and select the C: drive from there. All files are in tact and the PC boots

> > > fine.

> >

> > Open it in any way that works and look for an auto.inf file as I already

> > told you. If you have the computer set to hide file extensions (example is

> > the .inf in "auto.inf") then set it to show these from Folder Options>View

> > tab, uncheck "Hide file extensions....".

> >

> > If there is no auto.inf on either drive, the computer is either not really

> > virus/malware-free and/or the operating system has been damaged. What you

> > do next depends on that and your level of technical skills.

> >

> > Malke

> > --

> > MS-MVP

> > Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

> > FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

> >

> >

Guest Polish Don
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

Ok, How do I fix it? How/where do I find the file associations ?

 

"Thee Chicago Wolf" wrote:

> >I'm checking a perfectly good PC that is identical (make/model/OS) that

> >works fine in this regard and there is no Auto.inf on that PC either. Both

> >PC's have Windows XP Media Edition 2002 SP3

>

> My guess is that the file association / action that's normally

> supposed to open your C: or D: has been disassociated or damaged and

> the only way to fix it would be to manually do it by seeing the file

> associations on a working PC and compare them to the broken PC or

> maybe to do a repair install using a slipstreamed SP3 CD for your MCE.

>

> - Thee Chicago Wolf

>

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

>Ok, How do I fix it? How/where do I find the file associations ?

 

Start by opening a session of Windows Explorer or My Computer. From

the top, click Tools > Folder Options. Now, you'll see the "File

Types" tab. These are all the file extensions and associated actions

with files and devices (i.e. CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Physical Drive, etc.).

You'll want to look specifically at "(NONE) File Folder", "(NONE)

Folder",and "(NONE) Drive" associations. Highlight one, and click the

Advanced button. Drive should only have "Find" as an action, if not

add it. File Folder should only have "Find" as an action, if not add

it. Folder should have "Open" and "Explore" as actions, if not add

them.

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

>Ok, How do I fix it? How/where do I find the file associations ?

 

Additionally, from the browse program menu, you can scroll down and

choose explorer or browse your C:\Windows\... folder for it and when

you choose it, you'll see a check-box down on the bottom that says

"always use this program to..." or some such message. Try that as

well.

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Guest Polish Don
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

ok,

 

I tried the tools option, they show the proper find/explore as stated. I

cannot set Windows explorer as default in the use program window

 

"Thee Chicago Wolf" wrote:

> >Ok, How do I fix it? How/where do I find the file associations ?

>

> Start by opening a session of Windows Explorer or My Computer. From

> the top, click Tools > Folder Options. Now, you'll see the "File

> Types" tab. These are all the file extensions and associated actions

> with files and devices (i.e. CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Physical Drive, etc.).

> You'll want to look specifically at "(NONE) File Folder", "(NONE)

> Folder",and "(NONE) Drive" associations. Highlight one, and click the

> Advanced button. Drive should only have "Find" as an action, if not

> add it. File Folder should only have "Find" as an action, if not add

> it. Folder should have "Open" and "Explore" as actions, if not add

> them.

>

> - Thee Chicago Wolf

>

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

>I tried the tools option, they show the proper find/explore as stated. I

>cannot set Windows explorer as default in the use program window

 

The last thing I can think of is to try the registry fix from Doug

Knox's web site to fix Drive associations:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

 

Look for the link "Drive Association Fix (Restores default settings

for hard drives)".

 

Beyond that, I don't know what else to say.

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Guest Polish Don
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

Well,

 

I tried that. It installed an line "Expore from here" in the tools menu,

but I still cannot enter the drive by double click. I created a new item

"Open 2" that works in the right click menu, which opens the drive fine, but

I cannot make it the default for the double click. (even when set to default

in the tool menu)

 

 

"Thee Chicago Wolf" wrote:

> >I tried the tools option, they show the proper find/explore as stated. I

> >cannot set Windows explorer as default in the use program window

>

> The last thing I can think of is to try the registry fix from Doug

> Knox's web site to fix Drive associations:

> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

>

> Look for the link "Drive Association Fix (Restores default settings

> for hard drives)".

>

> Beyond that, I don't know what else to say.

>

> - Thee Chicago Wolf

>

Guest Polish Don
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

Problem is that "set as default" box is ghosted out. I cannot select that.

 

"Thee Chicago Wolf" wrote:

> >Ok, How do I fix it? How/where do I find the file associations ?

>

> Additionally, from the browse program menu, you can scroll down and

> choose explorer or browse your C:\Windows\... folder for it and when

> you choose it, you'll see a check-box down on the bottom that says

> "always use this program to..." or some such message. Try that as

> well.

>

> - Thee Chicago Wolf

>

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

>Problem is that "set as default" box is ghosted out. I cannot select that.

 

Yeah, I was hoping it wasn't as by default it should be allowed to be

manipulated or changed from being explorer.exe.

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

>I tried that. It installed an line "Expore from here" in the tools menu,

>but I still cannot enter the drive by double click. I created a new item

>"Open 2" that works in the right click menu, which opens the drive fine, but

>I cannot make it the default for the double click. (even when set to default

>in the tool menu)

 

Using regmon to monitor what explorer.exe does when I double-click my

C: drive, I see it query HKCR\DRIVE and HKCR\FOLDER keys. I compared

my settings there to the .reg fix from Knox's web site and it's the

same. So perhaps it's you HKCR\Folder associations that off. Here's

what I see in mine:

 

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder]

@="Folder"

"EditFlags"=dword:000003d2

"TileInfo"="prop:Size"

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\DefaultIcon]

@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\

 

00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,73,00,68,00,\

 

65,00,6c,00,6c,00,33,00,32,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,33,00,00,00

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell]

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore]

"BrowserFlags"=dword:00000022

"ExplorerFlags"=dword:00000021

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\command]

@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\

 

00,5c,00,45,00,78,00,70,00,6c,00,6f,00,72,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,\

 

65,00,20,00,2f,00,65,00,2c,00,2f,00,69,00,64,00,6c,00,69,00,73,00,74,00,2c,\

00,25,00,49,00,2c,00,25,00,4c,00,00,00

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\ddeexec]

@="[ExploreFolder(\"%l\", %I, %S)]"

"NoActivateHandler"=""

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\ddeexec\application]

@="Folders"

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\ddeexec\ifexec]

@="[]"

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\ddeexec\topic]

@="AppProperties"

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open]

"BrowserFlags"=dword:00000010

"ExplorerFlags"=dword:00000012

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\command]

@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\

 

00,5c,00,45,00,78,00,70,00,6c,00,6f,00,72,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,\

 

65,00,20,00,2f,00,69,00,64,00,6c,00,69,00,73,00,74,00,2c,00,25,00,49,00,2c,\

00,25,00,4c,00,00,00

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec]

@="[ViewFolder(\"%l\", %I, %S)]"

"NoActivateHandler"=""

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec\application]

@="Folders"

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec\ifexec]

@="[]"

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\open\ddeexec\topic]

@="AppProperties"

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex]

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ColumnHandlers]

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ColumnHandlers\{0D2E74C4-3C34-11d2-A27E-00C04FC30871}]

@=""

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ColumnHandlers\{24F14F01-7B1C-11d1-838f-0000F80461CF}]

@=""

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ColumnHandlers\{24F14F02-7B1C-11d1-838f-0000F80461CF}]

@=""

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ColumnHandlers\{66742402-F9B9-11D1-A202-0000F81FEDEE}]

@=""

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ColumnHandlers\{F9DB5320-233E-11D1-9F84-707F02C10627}]

@="PDF Column Info"

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers]

@="NetWareServerMenu"

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\DragDropHandlers]

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\DragDropHandlers\{BD472F60-27FA-11cf-B8B4-444553540000}]

@=""

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers]

@="NetWarePage"

 

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\{b8777200-d640-11ce-b9aa-444553540000}]

@=""

 

If you're feeling brave and know what you're doing, you can export

your current HKCR\Folder key to a reg file, and import my settings to

see if it works.

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Guest Thee Chicago Wolf
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

>Yeah, I was hoping it wasn't as by default it should be allowed to be

>manipulated or changed from being explorer.exe.

 

I meant to say "shouldn't"

 

- Thee Chicago Wolf

Guest Donald Anadell
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

 

"Polish Don" <Polish Don@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:DD498C97-EAF5-4171-AE0E-4F4391FCC2AC@microsoft.com...

> My PC had some virues and now, after I've cleaned it off, when I try to

> open

> my hard drive C: or D:, I get a "browse program" window

>

> How can I fix this ?

 

Any help here:

http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-11833-unable-to-open-d-by-double-clicking

 

Good luck,

 

Donald Anadell

Guest Polish Don
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

It Worked !!!

 

But I'm still going to reformat the PC and reinstall everything, I think

it's for the best, since I had over 36 viruses on the PC + spyware and the

Antivirus had not updated since 1/2007.

 

Thanks again, all of you !

 

 

"Donald Anadell" wrote:

>

> "Polish Don" <Polish Don@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:DD498C97-EAF5-4171-AE0E-4F4391FCC2AC@microsoft.com...

> > My PC had some virues and now, after I've cleaned it off, when I try to

> > open

> > my hard drive C: or D:, I get a "browse program" window

> >

> > How can I fix this ?

>

> Any help here:

> http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-11833-unable-to-open-d-by-double-clicking

>

> Good luck,

>

> Donald Anadell

>

>

>

>

Guest Donald Anadell
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

 

"Polish Don" <PolishDon@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:6446CB14-4E41-4BF6-8562-5E8A5C6EEDFE@microsoft.com...

> It Worked !!!

>

> But I'm still going to reformat the PC and reinstall everything, I think

> it's for the best, since I had over 36 viruses on the PC + spyware and the

> Antivirus had not updated since 1/2007.

>

> Thanks again, all of you !

 

You're welcome Polish Don, and good luck.

 

Donald Anadell

 

>

>

> "Donald Anadell" wrote:

>

>>

>> "Polish Don" <Polish Don@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:DD498C97-EAF5-4171-AE0E-4F4391FCC2AC@microsoft.com...

>> > My PC had some virues and now, after I've cleaned it off, when I try to

>> > open

>> > my hard drive C: or D:, I get a "browse program" window

>> >

>> > How can I fix this ?

>>

>> Any help here:

>> http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-11833-unable-to-open-d-by-double-clicking

>>

>> Good luck,

>>

>> Donald Anadell

>>

>>

>>

>>

  • 2 weeks later...
Guest Kateperez
Posted

Re: Windows XP - Hard drive issues

 

Thank you Polish don for the question and Donald Anadell for the answer. I

had this same problem.

 

The fix worked like a charm!

 

"Donald Anadell" wrote:

>

> "Polish Don" <Polish Don@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:DD498C97-EAF5-4171-AE0E-4F4391FCC2AC@microsoft.com...

> > My PC had some virues and now, after I've cleaned it off, when I try to

> > open

> > my hard drive C: or D:, I get a "browse program" window

> >

> > How can I fix this ?

>

> Any help here:

> http://en.kioskea.net/forum/affich-11833-unable-to-open-d-by-double-clicking

>

> Good luck,

>

> Donald Anadell

>

>

>

>


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