Cant open documents folder

Since a few days I'm having a weird problem with Vista.
Whenever I try to open my documents folder through the start menu (or
anywhere else for that matter) the window closes. Also, some links in
the start menu seem to be broken.
I can go to the documents folder through browsing c:/users/my name but
not directly if you know what I mean.
This is quite annoying since I can no longer use 'save' in most of the
programs I use (photoshop, premiere). When I choose 'save' it is
targeted towards going to the documents folder first but it fails and
the window closes again.

[image:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Iceblizzz/brokenfolders.jpg]

System recovery is not a solution, therefore I turn to you.
- Vista 32bit, SP1

Thanks


--
Zwaf

Hmmmm :rolleyes:

Malke
Mon Jul 07 05:05:30 PDT 2008

Zwaf wrote:

>
> Since a few days I'm having a weird problem with Vista.
> Whenever I try to open my documents folder through the start menu (or
> anywhere else for that matter) the window closes. Also, some links in
> the start menu seem to be broken.
> I can go to the documents folder through browsing c:/users/my name but
> not directly if you know what I mean.
> This is quite annoying since I can no longer use 'save' in most of the
> programs I use (photoshop, premiere). When I choose 'save' it is
> targeted towards going to the documents folder first but it fails and
> the window closes again.
>
> [image:
> http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/Iceblizzz/brokenfolders.jpg]
>
> System recovery is not a solution, therefore I turn to you.
> - Vista 32bit, SP1

Try a System Restore - not system recovery - to when things worked. To run
System Restore, go to the Start Orb and in the Start Search box type
"System Restore" without the quotes. System Restore will appear in the
Programs result. Click on it, allow the UAC prompt, and follow the wizard.


Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Zwaf
Mon Jul 07 05:33:17 PDT 2008


Oh lol sorry I meant system restore.
Windows magically removed all points before last friday so it aint an
option


--
Zwaf

Hmmmm :rolleyes:

Malke
Mon Jul 07 07:07:14 PDT 2008

Zwaf wrote:

>
> Oh lol sorry I meant system restore.
> Windows magically removed all points before last friday so it aint an
> option
>
>

[sigh] [taps Crystal Ball(tm) - is this thing on?]

The First Question of Troubleshooting: what changed between the time things
worked and the time they didn't?

The Second Question of Windows Troubleshooting: what is the malware/virus
status of the machine? If you think it is clean, what programs (and
versions) did you use to determine this?

Be sure the computer is clean:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Otherwise, since you haven't told us anything about your computer except
that it isn't working - and since my Crystal Ball(tm) apparently is on the
fritz - I can't guess. Windows doesn't "magically" do anything. The real
question is what did *you* do just before the problem occurred?

From your picture, it certainly looks like you've got registry keys in your
Start Menu instead of links. Did you run a registry cleaner?

I have notes about needing the following registry key if your Documents
folder is missing, but it doesn't sound like yours is missing. Here they
are anyway:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell
Folders]
"Personal"="C:\\Users\\YourName\\Documents" (Make sure you have the string
value "Personal")

But probably you should tell us the answers to the First and Second
Questions, especially since System Restore isn't available to you.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Zwaf
Mon Jul 07 07:58:17 PDT 2008


I requested help with my computer multiple times in the past and I kno
what info I should give you. The problem this time however is that
dont exactly know what caused it
What I do know is that I once had Nero7 installed on my pc, but the
used system restore to restore my computer before its install
This caused some serious problems like constant errors when accessin
media. Uninstalling Nero7 failed since it said 'it had already bee
removed' and 'uninstallation could not be completed'
I then download a thirdparty Nero removal tool. It indicated that Ner
was still present and I told it to remove it, once again more error
showed up, stating windows components crashing like svchost and rundl
(the tool was vista ready though)

I run a registry cleaner once a while, correct. But it was about
weeks before that problem showed up, which is quite odd

I'm currently looking in my registry and I found some chinese marking
in HKEY_CURRENT_USER, below 'system' and 'volitile environment'. Is tha
normal

I did locate the 'Personal' registrykey and it has the right value

I have Nod32 installed with all latest updates. A moment ago I ran
windows defender and nod32 scan and both showed up nothing

There might be someone else that could be interesting. All images i
'windows help' are gone. It only shows a red cross and some text abou
what the image was about
There might be more problems like these but havent come across the
yet

--
Zwa

Hmmmm :rolleyes:

Malke
Mon Jul 07 08:24:55 PDT 2008

Zwaf wrote:

>
> I requested help with my computer multiple times in the past and I know
> what info I should give you. The problem this time however is that I
> dont exactly know what caused it.
> What I do know is that I once had Nero7 installed on my pc, but then
> used system restore to restore my computer before its install.
> This caused some serious problems like constant errors when accessing
> media. Uninstalling Nero7 failed since it said 'it had already been
> removed' and 'uninstallation could not be completed'.
> I then download a thirdparty Nero removal tool. It indicated that Nero
> was still present and I told it to remove it, once again more errors
> showed up, stating windows components crashing like svchost and rundll
> (the tool was vista ready though).
>
> I run a registry cleaner once a while, correct. But it was about 2
> weeks before that problem showed up, which is quite odd.
>
> I'm currently looking in my registry and I found some chinese markings
> in HKEY_CURRENT_USER, below 'system' and 'volitile environment'. Is that
> normal?
>
> I did locate the 'Personal' registrykey and it has the right value.
>
> I have Nod32 installed with all latest updates. A moment ago I ran a
> windows defender and nod32 scan and both showed up nothing.
>
> There might be someone else that could be interesting. All images in
> 'windows help' are gone. It only shows a red cross and some text about
> what the image was about.
> There might be more problems like these but havent come across them
> yet.
>
>

Since you run a registry cleaner I can't help you. Your computer is in an
unknown state and there is no way for me to guess how to untangle it
without seeing the machine.

I like NOD32 but if the machine were in my shop, I'd be a lot more thorough
in checking for malware. I already gave you my link.

Perhaps someone else will have some suggestions for you. If you don't get
any answers, consider backing up your data and doing Vista's version of a
Repair Install. If that doesn't work, consider doing a clean
install/factory restore.

Repair Vista - http://vistasupport.mvps.org/windows_vista_repair_options.htm
Repair A Vista Installation Using The Upgrade Option Of The Vista DVD -
http://tinyurl.com/3b7yrj
For people who only have a restore image - Windows Vista Recovery Disc
Download:
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/

Good luck and I'm sorry that I was unable to help you.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

Zwaf
Mon Jul 07 08:53:24 PDT 2008


Its alright, thanks for trying

--
Zwa

Hmmmm :rolleyes: