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Desktop icons and exe's changed to win default and .lnk



 
 
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  #1  
Old September 23rd 04, 05:48 AM
LuckyStrike
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Desktop icons and exe's changed to win default and .lnk

OS: W98se fully patched (except for net framework 1.1) / ~17 GB free space
(40 GB HD-D) / P4 2.0 GHz / 1 GB Sdram / IE6 SP-1 fully patched.

System was working fine, and then I decided to learn how to use Ad-Aware SE
Pro 1.05 with AdWatch. :-\\
I opened AdWatch and checked out its configurations and so forth. One option
was to permit it to run at start-up; I clicked that to see what was what,
and Regprot displayed "a new key (AdWatch) would be added to the Registry,
did I want that?" I decided no, and then also un-ticked the run AdWatch at
start-up. Not really understanding how it all worked, I decided to *close*
it after fooling with a few of its options.

When I "closed" AdWatch, it didn't close, but was then minimized to the
taskbar. No coaxing or method would actually serve to close it down. It
wasn't "running" as a process in the Systray either. It had run and was
present in Systray once (~1 week ago) when Ad-Aware SE Pro was first
installed, but I had chosen to not have it load at start-up. This was and is
the present status of AdWatch of which I am presently posting. So, anyway, I
had to Ctrl-Alt-Del AdWatch. It took a minute, but it did shut down. End of
that story.

I then tried to open other executable shortcuts, but nothing happened. I
clicked, but there was no other activity. Mind you, I have 68 desktop icons
of which 3 are "namespace" icons, 4 are "sort of temporary" but are not
shortcuts, and a few webpage shortcuts and two text files. You know how you
might temporarily place a notepad text or some saved webpage as a "create
shortcut" thing on your desktop. What I'm getting at here is that of the
several desktop icons I tried, nothing worked. I should have maybe tried
clicking every one of them, but I didn't. :-\\

Next: I then decided to re-boot and.... virtually every desktop shortcut
icon - whether they were standard OEM icons or Custom icons became the
Windows default icon. Ditto for the score of QL Toolbar icons as well.
Furthermore, all were changed to .lnk extensions. Excluded from this anomaly
were the My Computer, My Documents, Recycle Bin, Google shortcut, Teoma
shortcut, another help forum shortcut, and two or four folders which are in
C:\WINDOWS - such as an "Unzip folder", a "Desktop Folder", a "Files for
Editing folder", and the like. The latter three are not shortcuts. I was
going nuts, and became "unscientific". e.g. I should have clicked those
which still remained "normal", to see the results.

If I clicked any of the now default windows.lnk icons, it opened Filealyzer.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/f...zer/index.html

If I R-clicked any of these shortcutsPropertiesfind target the .exe's
were also default icons but maintained their correct extensions (IIRC),
therefore a left-click wouldn't open any of these programs.

So I searched around Google for a bit (amazed that the shortcut with it's
custom icon still worked), but found but few references, "how-to's" for XP
from so other forum. Decided to forgo on those, as there wasn't anything
which pertained to W98(se).
http://www.techsupportforum.com/arch...hp/t-8664.html

Then decided to try another re-boot (2nd try), same result, but as ZoneAlarm
Pro was loading, it brought up Filealyzer again as a Zapro.lnk file analysis
GUI. Tried one more re-boot after a period of ~ 5 minutes. Same deal... No
go on the icons. Then decided to try to get into DOS, by a restart in
MS-DOS, to do a Scanreg /restore. No dice! It too brought up a Filealyzer
GUI on the DOS program! OK, I'm thinking if I keep re-booting, I'm going to
soon be running out of useful Registry backups. (??)

Eventually I get into DOS by the F8 key method, and reluctantly try for a
Scanreg /restore. Two attempts (or was it three?) failed. Grrrrrr This
seems to *always happen* at the critical moment when you need the blasted
thing !!! Anyway, the 3rd or 4th try gets me a successful Registry back-up.
gleeful But I'm still somewhat worried, as on a few occasions (too many) a
successful Registry Restore did not fix the problem I was hoping it would.
UN-gleeful

OK, so as it is re-booting, I'm sitting there with my eyes closed in the
hope that when the Machine has completed its "thing", that all would be back
to normal. To my total and utter amazement, it had performed the hoped for
miracle! VBS (That's an absolute *first!* Praise the lawd!) :-D

So, my questions, after having written this mini-novel are.... What do you
think may have happened? Aside from the course of action I had pursued, was
there any other solution to fix this? Should I ever attempt to use AdWatch
again??? G ??

Thanks,
--

LuckyStrike

The best Tweak and your ally for IE = **Disable Active Scripting**
http://www.infinisource.com/techfiles/surf-safe.html
How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
------------------------------------------------------------


  #2  
Old September 23rd 04, 06:55 AM
Alan Edwards
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

This is what I would have suggested for the .lnk file problem:
(Sorry, LS, your post is too long for my short attention span)

I will give you a fix for the usual lnkfile problem
Make a file from the lines below called Link.reg and doubleclick it.
You can use Notepad to create it from this message. Don't retype it as
an error might occur. Copy it.
Ensure that REGEDIT4 is the first line and that your mail/newsreader
does not add a space to the end of any line.
Ensure the last line is blank.
If your Windows folder is other than C:\Windows then alter the file
accordingly.

You will need to restart Windows after this fix to see the effect.

----------Link.reg ----below this line
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk]
@="lnkfile"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellNew]
"Command"="C:\\WINDOWS\\rundll32.exe AppWiz.Cpl,NewLinkHere %2"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile]
@="Shortcut"
"EditFlags"=hex:01,00,00,00
"IsShortcut"=""
"NeverShowExt"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\CLSID]
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\IconHandler]
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\DropHandler]
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandl ers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandl ers\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
@=""

--------(end of link.reg-----

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html


In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "LuckyStrike"
om wrote:


Next: I then decided to re-boot and.... virtually every desktop shortcut
icon - whether they were standard OEM icons or Custom icons became the
Windows default icon. Ditto for the score of QL Toolbar icons as well.
Furthermore, all were changed to .lnk extensions.

  #3  
Old September 23rd 04, 03:09 PM
Buffalo
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"LuckyStrike"
[snip]
So, my questions, after having written this mini-novel are.... What

do you
think may have happened? Aside from the course of action I had

pursued, was
there any other solution to fix this? Should I ever attempt to use

AdWatch
again??? G ??

Thanks,
--

LuckyStrike


First, backup your Registry. (I always go to pure DOS when I use
scanreg /restore )
Second, get your computer running the way you want it to (without
AdAware or AdWatch) and then backup your Registry again.
Then, after a reboot and cleaning out your temp files etc, try
AdAwatch again.
This time , permit the reg key to be put in the Registry (copy the key
down if you like) and run AdWatch.
I wouldn't shut the program through ctrl-alt-del but through the
progam itself (may require a reboot to do this to keep it from
startup).
Send a letter to LavaSoft and/or go through their Q&A or forum.
I used to use AdAware Pro and the AdWatch feature without any major
problems.
Perhaps it was the refusal to allow the Registry key change that
snowballed everything into the problem you had.
One program interfering with another.


  #4  
Old September 23rd 04, 05:49 PM
LuckyStrike
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the reply and alternative solution. Sorry for the long post, but
I figured it was best to include *all details* and sequence of events as
they occurred rather than offering a cryptic post requiring further
questions from you (or anyone else). "Haaalllp... my icons changed!" bg

One question about the .Reg file:
paste

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandl ers\{00021401-0000-0000-C
000-000000000046}]
@=""

--------(end of link.reg-----

/paste

The location of the @="" differs from the previous Key entries of the reg
file in your post. It seems that it may serve to "close" the respective
entries.(?) I presume it is accurately displayed and not a fault of my OE
newsreader. (?)

Thanks again,
--
LuckyStrike

------------------------------------------------------------

"Alan Edwards" wrote in message
...
This is what I would have suggested for the .lnk file problem:
(Sorry, LS, your post is too long for my short attention span)

I will give you a fix for the usual lnkfile problem
Make a file from the lines below called Link.reg and doubleclick it.
You can use Notepad to create it from this message. Don't retype it as
an error might occur. Copy it.
Ensure that REGEDIT4 is the first line and that your mail/newsreader
does not add a space to the end of any line.
Ensure the last line is blank.
If your Windows folder is other than C:\Windows then alter the file
accordingly.

You will need to restart Windows after this fix to see the effect.

----------Link.reg ----below this line
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk]
@="lnkfile"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\ShellNew]
"Command"="C:\\WINDOWS\\rundll32.exe AppWiz.Cpl,NewLinkHere %2"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile]
@="Shortcut"
"EditFlags"=hex:01,00,00,00
"IsShortcut"=""
"NeverShowExt"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\CLSID]
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\IconHandler]
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\DropHandler]
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandl ers]


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandl ers\{00021401-0000-0000-C
000-000000000046}]
@=""

--------(end of link.reg-----

...Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html


In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "LuckyStrike" wrote:
Next: I then decided to re-boot and.... virtually every desktop shortcut
icon - whether they were standard OEM icons or Custom icons became the
Windows default icon. Ditto for the score of QL Toolbar icons as well.
Furthermore, all were changed to .lnk extensions.



  #5  
Old September 23rd 04, 06:09 PM
LuckyStrike
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Greetings Buffalo -
in-line

"Buffalo" wrote in message news:xOA4d.243583$mD.6465@attbi_s02...

"LuckyStrike"
[snip]
So, my questions, after having written this mini-novel are.... What

do you
think may have happened? Aside from the course of action I had

pursued, was
there any other solution to fix this? Should I ever attempt to use

AdWatch
again??? G ??

Thanks,
--

LuckyStrike


First, backup your Registry. (I always go to pure DOS when I use
scanreg /restore )


Check - Have done so. As far as Pure DOS goes, I was able to finally get
there, but not by the Restart in MS-DOS method. Repeated F8 taps were
successful in getting to DOS.

Second, get your computer running the way you want it to (without
AdAware or AdWatch) and then backup your Registry again.


Check - It is now running well again (sans Ad-Aware/AdWatch), and have
backed up the Registry.

Then, after a reboot and cleaning out your temp files etc, try
AdAwatch again.


Check - Re-boot accomplished; Entire cache cleared (Content.IE5; TIF's; TEMP
folder; and Java Cache)
Haven't re-tried Ad-Aware/Ad-Watch again as yet.

This time , permit the reg key to be put in the Registry (copy the key
down if you like) and run AdWatch.


Check - I'll try allowing the Reg key entry to be enabled, when I do as per
your suggestion. I can manage dealing with the key afterwards if I don't
want it to run at boot.

I wouldn't shut the program through ctrl-alt-del but through the
progam itself (may require a reboot to do this to keep it from
startup).


Check - It wouldn't close by any conventional means ("X" or FileClose) last
night. Hence the *need* to close with Ctrl-Alt-Del was called for.

Send a letter to LavaSoft and/or go through their Q&A or forum.


Check - Too lengthy to send a letter, but I am a member of the forum at
Lavasoft (some 200+ posts). There were no "Experts/Mods/Admins/Gurus" etc.
on-line last night when the incident occured. I know that in W98.gen
newsgroup, the "brains" never sleep. g

I used to use AdAware Pro and the AdWatch feature without any major
problems.
Perhaps it was the refusal to allow the Registry key change that
snowballed everything into the problem you had.
One program interfering with another.


Check - That seems to be a logical conclusion.

Heh! By the way, last night I also ran F-Prot for DOS first (when I was able
to finally get into DOS) just to check if something weird was afoot. Nothing
detected. I had no real reason to suspect any outside culprit, but you can
never tell.

Thanks for your input. s
--

LuckyStrike

The best Tweak and your ally for IE = **Disable Active Scripting**
http://www.infinisource.com/techfiles/surf-safe.html
How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
------------------------------------------------------------


  #6  
Old September 23rd 04, 09:08 PM
Buffalo
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"LuckyStrike" om
wrote in message ...
Greetings Buffalo -

[snip]
Check - Have done so. As far as Pure DOS goes, I was able to finally

get
there, but not by the Restart in MS-DOS method. Repeated F8 taps

were
successful in getting to DOS.


I'm sure you know that the Restart in MS-DOS is only a DOS window,
especially if you're the LuckyStrike that used to post here quite a
bit.
I know whenever I have a major problem that I can't figure out
quickly, one of the things I do is to restore the Registry.
I use a little batch file called RegBack and I save 14 copies of the
Registry.
I can also quickly restore the Registry that I just changed ,to back
to what it was. (I shut down every nite)
[snip]


This time , permit the reg key to be put in the Registry (copy the

key
down if you like) and run AdWatch.


Check - I'll try allowing the Reg key entry to be enabled, when I

do as per
your suggestion. I can manage dealing with the key afterwards if I

don't
want it to run at boot.


I think that can be handled within the AdWatch program itself, also.


I wouldn't shut the program through ctrl-alt-del but through the
progam itself (may require a reboot to do this to keep it from
startup).


Check - It wouldn't close by any conventional means ("X" or

FileClose) last
night. Hence the *need* to close with Ctrl-Alt-Del was called for.


I meant that if you did reboot, the program probably wouldn't have
started upon the next reboot.

Send a letter to LavaSoft and/or go through their Q&A or forum.


Check - Too lengthy to send a letter, but I am a member of the forum

at
Lavasoft (some 200+ posts). There were no

"Experts/Mods/Admins/Gurus" etc.
on-line last night when the incident occured. I know that in W98.gen
newsgroup, the "brains" never sleep. g


Well, you are way ahead of the game then.

[snip]




Thanks for your input. s
--

LuckyStrike


You're welcome
PS: Let us know if AdWatch works well for you or not.
There was an update to the Pro version very recently.


  #7  
Old September 23rd 04, 09:56 PM
Alan Edwards
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Hi LS,

No, the location of the @= is the same. It is always at the start of a
line and the one you mention (in the last line) is no different, apart
from it having a null value.
The penultimate data line starts with [
The last data line starts with @

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandl ers\{00021401-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
@=""

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html


In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "LuckyStrike"
om wrote:

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the reply and alternative solution. Sorry for the long post, but
I figured it was best to include *all details* and sequence of events as
they occurred rather than offering a cryptic post requiring further
questions from you (or anyone else). "Haaalllp... my icons changed!" bg

One question about the .Reg file:
paste

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandl ers\{00021401-0000-0000-C
000-000000000046}]
@=""

--------(end of link.reg-----

/paste

The location of the @="" differs from the previous Key entries of the reg
file in your post. It seems that it may serve to "close" the respective
entries.(?) I presume it is accurately displayed and not a fault of my OE
newsreader. (?)

Thanks again,


  #8  
Old September 23rd 04, 10:15 PM
LuckyStrike
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Yeah Buffalo, we do know each other; it is I, the one and only true original
LS that used to post here as you've stated. :-D Just as a note on my
"absence" he It is primarily due to the "heady, and getting headier"
nature of the questions/problems for you/me/we long-time devoted W98 users.
My ability to help is seriously curtailed as I am still a beginner. The
questions are mostly out of my depth at this point. So, in an effort to
still contribute what I can and know something about, I've "moved" to forums
where my limited knowledge may be of use to some. ;-)

OK, moving along in-line:

"Buffalo" wrote in message
news:e3G4d.10278$He1.6422@attbi_s01...

"LuckyStrike" om
wrote in message ...
Greetings Buffalo -

[snip]
Check - Have done so. As far as Pure DOS goes, I was able to finally

get
there, but not by the Restart in MS-DOS method. Repeated F8 taps

were
successful in getting to DOS.


I'm sure you know that the Restart in MS-DOS is only a DOS window,
especially if you're the LuckyStrike that used to post here quite a
bit.


Well, here I am again baffled. When I use "restart in MS-DOS mode", a full
DOS screen appears, and after about 15 secs or so, the mouse is "searched
for" and recognized, as well as a VGA driver (IIRC). Then I get a prompt of
C:\WINDOWS on the fully black DOS screen, and not a lesser Windows Dos box.
Some references; correct me if you feel I am wrong:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...99111116313539
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chdos.htm
http://www.geocities.com/politalk/win95/dos.htm#dosmode
Using this, but choosing DOS rather than Safe-Mode.
http://www.geocities.com/one_human/tips2.html#safemode

I know whenever I have a major problem that I can't figure out
quickly, one of the things I do is to restore the Registry.
I use a little batch file called RegBack and I save 14 copies of the
Registry.


I'd heard of, and saved a link (somewhere) on that little item. If I recall
correctly, there may have been a minor issue (a drawback, if you will)
concerning the possible results of doing this (?)

I can also quickly restore the Registry that I just changed ,to back
to what it was. (I shut down every nite)
[snip]


Tell me more about he restoring it back to the previous back-up instead of
the selected one. Do you mean to do a second Scanreg /restore and selecting
a different .cab?


snip I can manage dealing with the key afterwards if I
don't want it to run at boot.

I think that can be handled within the AdWatch program itself, also.


Yes, I recollect that as well.

I wouldn't shut the program through ctrl-alt-del but through the
progam itself (may require a reboot to do this to keep it from
startup).


Check - It wouldn't close by any conventional means ("X" or

FileClose) last
night. Hence the *need* to close with Ctrl-Alt-Del was called for.


I meant that if you did reboot, the program probably wouldn't have
started upon the next reboot.


Probably true, but then there was also that possibility of "Because you
didn't shut down Windows properly, there may be errors... blah-blah...
Scandisk" due to the fact that AdWatch was still "running" (?), which I
wanted to avoid. Of course, I had no idea of what was about to happen, and
might add, that the subsequent running of Scandisk may have "saved the day".
:-\\

Send a letter to LavaSoft and/or go through their Q&A or forum.


Check - Too lengthy to send a letter, but I am a member of the forum

at
Lavasoft (some 200+ posts). There were no

"Experts/Mods/Admins/Gurus" etc.
on-line last night when the incident occured. I know that in W98.gen
newsgroup, the "brains" never sleep. g


Well, you are way ahead of the game then.


Izzat so? VBS Depends on who the "competitors" are in that game. (Rule 1 -
They *have* to know less than I.) bg

Thanks for your input. s
--
LuckyStrike


You're welcome
PS: Let us know if AdWatch works well for you or not.
There was an update to the Pro version very recently.


Yeah Buffalo I will. I'm running A-AW SE Pro 1.05 (courtesy of Lavasoft for
whom I ended up doing quite a bit of beta-testing versions 1.04b4 through
1.04b9). This was due to a Freezing issue during scanning when "Scan IE
Favorites for Banned URL's" was enabled during use of A-AW SE Personal build
1.03. So, I ran quite a few versions using +debugf and stuff. This present
version works OK, but for a few minor glitches (for me). That's another
story. If you're interested in them (probably not. *grin*) I'll fill you in.

Thanks again from the 'ol LS. S
--

LuckyStrike

The best Tweak and your ally for IE = **Disable Active Scripting**
http://www.infinisource.com/techfiles/surf-safe.html
How to make a good newsgroup post:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
------------------------------------------------------------


  #9  
Old September 23rd 04, 10:19 PM
LuckyStrike
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

OK Alan, I *think* I've got that. ( '' " ) is equal to the null value.
Correct? Thanks very much; 'preciate it! S
--
LS
----------------
"Alan Edwards" wrote in message
...
Hi LS,

No, the location of the @= is the same. It is always at the start of a
line and the one you mention (in the last line) is no different, apart
from it having a null value.
The penultimate data line starts with [
The last data line starts with @


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandl ers\{00021401-0000-0000-C
000-000000000046}]
@=""

...Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html


In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "LuckyStrike"
om wrote:

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the reply and alternative solution. snip
One question about the .Reg file:
paste


[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile\shellex\ContextMenuHandl ers\{00021401-0000-0000-

C
000-000000000046}]
@=""

--------(end of link.reg-----

/paste

The location of the @="" differs from the previous Key entries of the

reg
file in your post. It seems that it may serve to "close" the respective
entries.(?) I presume it is accurately displayed and not a fault of my OE
newsreader. (?)

Thanks again,




  #10  
Old September 23rd 04, 11:12 PM
Alan Edwards
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Nearly right.
" " would be a space.
"" is a null value

....Alan

--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems
http://dts-l.org/index.html

In microsoft.public.win98.gen_discussion, "LuckyStrike"
om wrote:

OK Alan, I *think* I've got that. ( '' " ) is equal to the null value.
Correct? Thanks very much; 'preciate it! S


 




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