custom order of Desktop icons messed up, would restoring registryfix it?

[MEB]

Re: custom order of Desktop icons messed up, would restoring registry fix it?

"SlickRCBD" <spamyourself@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:VcqdncMUS-QyiEHanZ2dnUVZ_h6hnZ2d@comcast.com...
| I had just changed my screen resolution on my older win98 computer
| before starting a movie to play it full screen without slowdowns when
| the computer promptly crashed by locking up on the BSOD. After hitting
| the reset button, when the computer booted up again, the screen
| resolution was far lower than I thought possible. It was at least as low
| as 320x240, if not lower. It looked like magnifier was in use, except
| that the whole screen was repesented in this reduced space. With some
| difficulity because the option I needed was off the screen, I was able
| to adjust the display settings to fix things, but this messed up the
| custom order of my desktop icons to a seemingly random order. I've spent
| a lot of time optimizing them. It has persisted after a reboot. Would
| restoring one of the automatic registry backups fix this? I haven't done
| anything that would make any significant changes to the registry in at
| least a month (aside from this problem), and figuring I turn the
| computer off every night, restoring the registry shouldn't hurt
| anything, or so I hope.

SHORT ANSWER:

NO, this likely will not restore your previous ICON placement. I would
suggest you get one of the tools that save Desktop placement such as
WinTidy.

Explained:

Windows saves the desktop settings {registry, etc.} [resolution, frequency,
and placement] upon shutdown, or when the settings are changed by you, or
some application or program [temporarily]. The last setting saved was
whatever that resolution and placement was EVEN IF OFF SCREEN [like a
virtual desktop in space].
A bad shutdown, generally leaves the desktop garbled, e.g., with nothing at
what you had originally. This then becomes the new default desktop settings.
A program like WinTidy will replace the ICON placement after you reset the
screen size and resolution.

--

MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
_________

 

[SlickRCBD]

I had just changed my screen resolution on my older win98 computer
before starting a movie to play it full screen without slowdowns when
the computer promptly crashed by locking up on the BSOD. After hitting
the reset button, when the computer booted up again, the screen
resolution was far lower than I thought possible. It was at least as low
as 320x240, if not lower. It looked like magnifier was in use, except
that the whole screen was repesented in this reduced space. With some
difficulity because the option I needed was off the screen, I was able
to adjust the display settings to fix things, but this messed up the
custom order of my desktop icons to a seemingly random order. I've spent
a lot of time optimizing them. It has persisted after a reboot. Would
restoring one of the automatic registry backups fix this? I haven't done
anything that would make any significant changes to the registry in at
least a month (aside from this problem), and figuring I turn the
computer off every night, restoring the registry shouldn't hurt
anything, or so I hope.

 

[MEB]

Re: custom order of Desktop icons messed up, would restoring registry fix it?

"SlickRCBD" <spamyourself@127.0.0.1> wrote in message
news:R8Wdnf-IUe-aukHanZ2dnUVZ_jydnZ2d@comcast.com...
| MEB wrote:
| >
| > SHORT ANSWER:
| >
| > NO, this likely will not restore your previous ICON placement. I would
| > suggest you get one of the tools that save Desktop placement such as
| > WinTidy.
| >
| > Explained:
| >
| > Windows saves the desktop settings {registry, etc.} [resolution,
frequency,
| > and placement] upon shutdown, or when the settings are changed by you,
or
| > some application or program [temporarily]. The last setting saved was
| > whatever that resolution and placement was EVEN IF OFF SCREEN [like a
| > virtual desktop in space].
| > A bad shutdown, generally leaves the desktop garbled, e.g., with
nothing at
| > what you had originally. This then becomes the new default desktop
settings.
| > A program like WinTidy will replace the ICON placement after you reset
the
| > screen size and resolution.
| >
| Actually, it did work. I just restored the oldest of the 5 backups and
| everything was back where it was.
| Remember, there are 5 registry backup files, and I assumed that #3 would
| be the FUBAR screen rez, #2 would be last night's restart when I fixed
| things, and #1 would be after I shut down just a few minutes ago. The
| dates given on the backups disagreed with my theory (they each had a
| different day going back to Tuesday), but I restored the oldest just to
| be safe. It's not like I've added any programs or changed any settings
| recently except for that little FUBAR that forced me, so I figured it
| didn't matter if I used #4 or #5.

Okay, I stand corrected in this case.. thanks for posting the resolution.

--

MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
_________

 

[SlickRCBD]

MEB wrote:
>
> SHORT ANSWER:
>
> NO, this likely will not restore your previous ICON placement. I would
> suggest you get one of the tools that save Desktop placement such as
> WinTidy.
>
> Explained:
>
> Windows saves the desktop settings {registry, etc.} [resolution, frequency,
> and placement] upon shutdown, or when the settings are changed by you, or
> some application or program [temporarily]. The last setting saved was
> whatever that resolution and placement was EVEN IF OFF SCREEN [like a
> virtual desktop in space].
> A bad shutdown, generally leaves the desktop garbled, e.g., with nothing at
> what you had originally. This then becomes the new default desktop settings.
> A program like WinTidy will replace the ICON placement after you reset the
> screen size and resolution.
>
Actually, it did work. I just restored the oldest of the 5 backups and
everything was back where it was.
Remember, there are 5 registry backup files, and I assumed that #3 would
be the FUBAR screen rez, #2 would be last night's restart when I fixed
things, and #1 would be after I shut down just a few minutes ago. The
dates given on the backups disagreed with my theory (they each had a
different day going back to Tuesday), but I restored the oldest just to
be safe. It's not like I've added any programs or changed any settings
recently except for that little FUBAR that forced me, so I figured it
didn't matter if I used #4 or #5.

 

[Tawny Port]

Re: custom order of Desktop icons messed up, would restoring registry fix it?

> Okay, I stand corrected in this case.. thanks for posting the resolution.
>
> --
>
> MEB
> http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
> _________


hi meb,,,, love your blog links.

since the o/p was talking about 'rb' backup/restore situations, i have a poser that i was hoping you
could assist with, as i have lost any trace of that function let me explain.
if i go to 'msconfig', the option of haveing the reg backup done, simply isnt there any more, and i
am buggered if i know what happened to it or how to make it good again.
i did a simulated test as if i was going to restore from any given point, and the last one i have is
about a year or so ago...... any ideas?

 

[Buffalo]

Re: custom order of Desktop icons messed up, would restoring registry fix it?

SlickRCBD wrote:
> MEB wrote:
>>
>> SHORT ANSWER:
>>
>> NO, this likely will not restore your previous ICON placement. I
>> would suggest you get one of the tools that save Desktop placement
>> such as WinTidy.
>>
>> Explained:
>>
>> Windows saves the desktop settings {registry, etc.} [resolution,
>> frequency, and placement] upon shutdown, or when the settings are
>> changed by you, or some application or program [temporarily]. The
>> last setting saved was whatever that resolution and placement was
>> EVEN IF OFF SCREEN [like a virtual desktop in space].
>> A bad shutdown, generally leaves the desktop garbled, e.g., with
>> nothing at what you had originally. This then becomes the new
>> default desktop settings. A program like WinTidy will replace the
>> ICON placement after you reset the screen size and resolution.
>>
> Actually, it did work. I just restored the oldest of the 5 backups and
> everything was back where it was.
> Remember, there are 5 registry backup files, and I assumed that #3
> would be the FUBAR screen rez, #2 would be last night's restart when
> I fixed things, and #1 would be after I shut down just a few minutes
> ago. The dates given on the backups disagreed with my theory (they
> each had a different day going back to Tuesday), but I restored the
> oldest just to be safe. It's not like I've added any programs or
> changed any settings recently except for that little FUBAR that
> forced me, so I figured it didn't matter if I used #4 or #5.

Yes, I have done the same thing before, only I choose the newest one that
still had the icons correct when I booted that day.
Certain programs, such as some mentioned earlier, will save the icon
placement and are less hassle to use than restoring the Registry.
Happy to hear it worked for you also.

 

[MEB]

Re: custom order of Desktop icons messed up, would restoring registry fix it?

"Tawny Port" <tawn@vatnearyou> wrote in message
news:u%23xpflBiIHA.4076@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
| > Okay, I stand corrected in this case.. thanks for posting the
resolution.
| >
| > --
| >
| > MEB
| > http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
| > _________
|
|
| hi meb,,,, love your blog links.
|
| since the o/p was talking about 'rb' backup/restore situations, i have a
poser that i was hoping you
| could assist with, as i have lost any trace of that function let me
explain.
| if i go to 'msconfig', the option of haveing the reg backup done, simply
isnt there any more, and i
| am buggered if i know what happened to it or how to make it good again.
| i did a simulated test as if i was going to restore from any given point,
and the last one i have is
| about a year or so ago...... any ideas?
|

What version of MSINFO are you using?

Are you set at Normal Startup in MSCONFIG?

IF you are set to Diagnostic or Selective, then you may have disabled the
backup. Did you check in the Startup Tab to see if you disabled -
ScanRegistry - C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun : which provides both the
bad shutdown/corrupted registry scan and backup once a day when rebooted?

Several "tweak" programs may disable certain functions, such as the ability
to modify various settings or control panel items. Even to the point of
removing the buttons or ability of those buttons. Do you have anything like
that installed?

Did you or someone else, perhaps, modify the computer's policies?
How about ActiveX entries in the registry [or manually modified or added
ActiveX controls]?
{Hmm, seems I remember this associated with an old Microsoft update that
kill this, anyone remember that issue?}

There are several other potential issues, including registry
modification/fixes, but please first answer these questions so the group can
better help you.
What's this key show?
___________
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSInfo\Tools\ScanReg]
@="Registry Checker"
"command"="scanregw.exe"
"description"="Runs the Windows Registry Checker"

___________

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
--
_________

 

[Tawny Port]

Re: custom order of Desktop icons messed up, would restoring registry fix it?


> | hi meb,,,, love your blog links.
> |
> | since the o/p was talking about 'rb' backup/restore situations, i have a
> poser that i was hoping you
> | could assist with, as i have lost any trace of that function let me
> explain.
> | if i go to 'msconfig', the option of haveing the reg backup done, simply
> isnt there any more, and i
> | am buggered if i know what happened to it or how to make it good again.
> | i did a simulated test as if i was going to restore from any given point,
> and the last one i have is
> | about a year or so ago...... any ideas?
> |
>
> What version of MSINFO are you using?

version of 'msinfo'?? o/s is 98se.
>
> Are you set at Normal Startup in MSCONFIG?
>
> IF you are set to Diagnostic or Selective, then you may have disabled the
> backup. Did you check in the Startup Tab to see if you disabled -
> ScanRegistry - C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun : which provides both the
> bad shutdown/corrupted registry scan and backup once a day when rebooted?

am set to selective, but havent disabled backup. in startup tab, there is no option to
enable or disable, as scanregw.exe/autorun isnt there anymore,, (if that was what used to
be in msconfig,,, has been so long since i have seen it there i am not sure if it is logged
as scanregw.exe /autorun,, in other words, i've forgotton because it has been so long.


>
> Several "tweak" programs may disable certain functions, such as the ability
> to modify various settings or control panel items. Even to the point of
> removing the buttons or ability of those buttons. Do you have anything like
> that installed?

only tweak ui,, but that has been here since day 1.
>
> Did you or someone else, perhaps, modify the computer's policies?
> How about ActiveX entries in the registry [or manually modified or added
> ActiveX controls]?
> {Hmm, seems I remember this associated with an old Microsoft update that
> kill this, anyone remember that issue?}

no, no issues like that.

>
> There are several other potential issues, including registry
> modification/fixes, but please first answer these questions so the group can
> better help you.
> What's this key show?
> ___________
> REGEDIT4
>
> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\MSInfo\Tools\ScanReg]
> @="Registry Checker"
> "command"="scanregw.exe"
> "description"="Runs the Windows Registry Checker"

yes,,,,,, exactly like that,,,,, is nested damn deep too.

this happened quite a while back meb,,, and it may (may) have something to do with something
that 'spybot' told me was a problem and should be removed,,,,, to whit i would have said 'okay'.
but even then, i am guessing,,,, but sure would be happy if i could get this sorted.


>
> ___________
>
> --
> MEB
> http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
> --
> _________
>
>
>

 

[MEB]

Re: custom order of Desktop icons messed up, would restoring registry fix it?

"Tawny Port" <tawn@vatnearyou> wrote in message
news:e22b24piIHA.2396@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
|
| > | hi meb,,,, love your blog links.
| > |
| > | since the o/p was talking about 'rb' backup/restore situations, i have
a
| > poser that i was hoping you
| > | could assist with, as i have lost any trace of that function let
me
| > explain.
| > | if i go to 'msconfig', the option of haveing the reg backup done,
simply
| > isnt there any more, and i
| > | am buggered if i know what happened to it or how to make it good
again.
| > | i did a simulated test as if i was going to restore from any given
point,
| > and the last one i have is
| > | about a year or so ago...... any ideas?
| > |
| >
| > What version of MSINFO are you using?
|
| version of 'msinfo'?? o/s is 98se.
| >
| > Are you set at Normal Startup in MSCONFIG?
| >
| > IF you are set to Diagnostic or Selective, then you may have disabled
the
| > backup. Did you check in the Startup Tab to see if you disabled -
| > ScanRegistry - C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun : which provides both
the
| > bad shutdown/corrupted registry scan and backup once a day when
rebooted?
|
| am set to selective, but havent disabled backup. in startup tab,
there is no option to
| enable or disable, as scanregw.exe/autorun isnt there anymore,, (if that
was what used to
| be in msconfig,,, has been so long since i have seen it there i am not
sure if it is logged
| as scanregw.exe /autorun,, in other words, i've forgotton because it has
been so long.
|
|
| >
| > Several "tweak" programs may disable certain functions, such as the
ability
| > to modify various settings or control panel items. Even to the point of
| > removing the buttons or ability of those buttons. Do you have anything
like
| > that installed?
|
| only tweak ui,, but that has been here since day 1.

Stopped using that years ago due to issues related to its use, such as when
a registry gets corrupted and rebuilt, some of TweakUI's settings may become
permanent, without the ability to change them through the application/cpl.

| >
| > Did you or someone else, perhaps, modify the computer's policies?
| > How about ActiveX entries in the registry [or manually modified or
added
| > ActiveX controls]?
| > {Hmm, seems I remember this associated with an old Microsoft update that
| > kill this, anyone remember that issue?}
|
| no, no issues like that.
|
| >
| > There are several other potential issues, including registry
| > modification/fixes, but please first answer these questions so the group
can
| > better help you.
| > What's this key show?
| > ___________
| > REGEDIT4
| >
| > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared
Tools\MSInfo\Tools\ScanReg]
| > @="Registry Checker"
| > "command"="scanregw.exe"
| > "description"="Runs the Windows Registry Checker"
|
| yes,,,,,, exactly like that,,,,, is nested damn
deep too.
|
| this happened quite a while back meb,,, and it may (may) have something to
do with something
| that 'spybot' told me was a problem and should be removed,,,,, to whit i
would have said 'okay'.
| but even then, i am guessing,,,, but sure would be happy if i could get
this sorted.
|
|
| >
| > ___________
| >
| > --
| > MEB

1. Search your disk for scanregw.exe, it should be found in
{drive}:\{Windows - whatever}.

2. Search the registry for - scanregw.exe /autorun - using regedit or your
favorite reg-editor. If not found use the below to re-add it to the
registry.

3. Copy below to text only editor like notepad, including the blank line.
-----
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run]
"ScanRegistry"="C:\\WINDOWS\\scanregw.exe /autorun"

----
Name this scanauto.reg and run/merge or manually add into the registry if
scanregw was not found in the above key,

4. Check this key also
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\AutorunsDi
sabled]

5. Also check the registry for any * -run * entries, though likely you may
have chosen to delete the Key. You might check to see if you backed it up
before deletion.

This will add the key back into the registry which will make the backups
when the system is shutdown/restarted once a day or whenever done [and
auto-scanning for a good registry at every startup].

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
--
_________

 

[Bill in Co.]

Re: custom order of Desktop icons messed up, would restoring registry fix it?

I'm pretty sure it will - yes.