WinKey+E = (null)

[Guest 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 ;)

[Guest wernertk]

RE: WinKey+E = (null)

 

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.

[Guest David Webb]

Re: WinKey+E = (null)

 

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" <wernertk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:9E5AB610-A919-4A29-9BB5-CB2A413505C5@microsoft.com...

> 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.

[Guest wernertk]

Re: WinKey+E = (null)

 

Great Stuff :D

 

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

 

"David Webb" wrote:

> 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" <wernertk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:9E5AB610-A919-4A29-9BB5-CB2A413505C5@microsoft.com...

> > 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.

>

>

>

[Guest David Webb]

Re: WinKey+E = (null)

 

Comments inline...

 

"wernertk" <wernertk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:52DF9634-F856-49C3-9137-3A96899CE33A@microsoft.com...

> Great Stuff :D

>

> 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

>

> "David Webb" wrote:

>

>> 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" <wernertk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:9E5AB610-A919-4A29-9BB5-CB2A413505C5@microsoft.com...

>> > 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.

>>

>>

>>

[Guest wernertk]

Re: WinKey+E = (null)

 

Thank yo so much for your time looking into this :D

 

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 :p

[Guest David Webb]

Re: WinKey+E = (null)

 

Comments inline...

 

"wernertk" <wernertk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:9CDDE490-0824-41DB-B9B0-DFAB3CD603FF@microsoft.com...

> Thank yo so much for your time looking into this :D

>

> 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 :p

 

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.

[Guest wernertk]

Re: WinKey+E = (null)

 

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.

[Guest David Webb]

Re: WinKey+E = (null)

 

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" <wernertk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:6ABFE5D6-ECF2-4090-8854-48A23C5A9B81@microsoft.com...

> 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.

[Guest wernertk]

Re: WinKey+E = (null)

 

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 :p

Regards

 

"David Webb" wrote:

> 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" <wernertk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:6ABFE5D6-ECF2-4090-8854-48A23C5A9B81@microsoft.com...

> > 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.

>

>

>

[Guest David Webb]

Re: WinKey+E = (null)

 

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!

 

"wernertk" <wernertk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:5A2A98CF-DC1F-4BBB-A29C-F43555C9558C@microsoft.com...

> 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 :p

> Regards

>

> "David Webb" wrote:

>

>> 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" <wernertk@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:6ABFE5D6-ECF2-4090-8854-48A23C5A9B81@microsoft.com...

>> > 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.

>>

>>

>>