3rd party utility to force folder view?

  • Thread starter Thread starter StargateFanFromWork
  • Start date Start date
S

StargateFanFromWork

Through extensive research and quite a bit of help from this or another XP
ng over the last few months, determined that my system came to me corrupted
or something as none of the fixes or suggestions resolved the folder view
problem I've had from day one on my home computer.

Here at the office on the new WinXP system, just setting the view to what I
needed the first time, as I always did in Win98SE after a wipe/reinstall,
worked and no problems. But not so on my own computer and, indeed, on any
other WinXP home computer I've worked on over the years.

So, nothing ... the bags things, the TweakUI or whatever it was (can't
remember all the details as it's been a few weeks) ... since nothing helped,
am now looking for a script or a 3rd party utility that can be invoked,
something that will set my folder view to what I need. I don't care if I
have to run it each startup, I'll just stick a shortcut to the solution in
my startup menu.

Fortunately for me, saving the view as I need it at least saves the view,
almost as needed, till the next reboot. The name column always shrinks
eventually so it's not as stable as when I would do it in Win98SE and
forever after never have a problem. But at least the rest works between
reboots before going back to default after starting up again.

Can anyone suggest anything? Is there perhaps a switch that can set the
folder view? I get the single-pane view I prefer by using the /n switch in
the command prompt or in shortcuts or even in AutoIt scripting, but was
hoping to go the whole route in getting details view to show plus _only_
date modified, size and type. I don't need all the rest re graphics or
media displaying the details of the bitrate, etc., etc.

Thanks and any comments re this type of solution appreciated! :oD
 
See if any of this helps:
First create a shortcut of explorer on your desktop
Then right click and select Properties, select the Shortcut tab
Enter one of the sample options show below in the Target field, click Apply
then the OK button.
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n, C:\
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e, C:\
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /n, C:\FolderName
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe /e, C:\FolderName

Also see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307856/en-us
for interesting variations:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/start_explorer_in_c_drive.htm
more info: http://vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/explorershortcuts.htm
and still more: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=314853

Pick the option you like best.

JS
 
Unknown said:
What IS your folder view problem?
Click to expand...

It keeps going back to the default of large icon view after a reboot. I've
been going over a new set of googles that I've done on this and everything
suggested I've tried. However, something new came up. There have been a
couple of references that I'd not run across before that suggest my
particular problem may be due to a bug in the settings that is present with
SP1 that was supposedly fixed in SP2. There's a glimmer of hope there as
nothing, even the registry edits, has fixed this at home. I actually don't
know what SP my home computer has as I just used it right out of the box.
So I will definitely check this out when I get home.

In the meantime, just looking for an workaround to this. I found an
excellent WE replacement but in a recent upgrade, there are glitches in
shortcuts not opening to right drive that wasn't there before. In all other
respects it's a very superior freeware WE replacement but this behaviour
makes it difficult to work with consistently, even though this problem is
 
Thanks. I incorporated the /n switch in all my shortcuts this morning here
at the office but this is not a problem here so can't test. I'll try these
things at home because that's the system that doesn't change beyond
temporarily while current session is running.

I don't know how a shortcut will change the view and save it per session, as
I had to do each time I restarted my computer (recently went back to a
freeware WE replacement because I can only go for a few weeks before getting
fed up), but at least having the shortcuts work might be of some help. I
use the WdwKey+E a lot and that's been knocked out because of the WE
replacement but we shall see ...

Thanks! :oD
 
In control panel ---folder options---view---do you have 'remember each
folder view setting' checked?
 
Unknown said:
In control panel ---folder options---view---do you have 'remember each
folder view setting' checked?
Click to expand...

Thank you for asking re this, one in a line of steps to do to ensure folder
view is changed. However, as mentioned, all these tricks and suggestions
have been done. This along with everything else have not resolved the
problem all these months later. The "bags" registry edits, some buffers
things somewhere else (going by memory on this), TweakUI -- all in all,
about 12 steps were followed on the recommendation of various sources.
NOTHING fixes this.

I suspect, and I really hope that this is the case, that even though I
bought the computer last November, that they might not have SP2 installed
even though it came fresh out of the box new. The very first thing I did
was change the folder view and not once has it worked beyond the current
session. If it isn't this bug that's been hinted at, then I'm back where I
started from to try to fix this via WinXP.

However, I am really at this point, wanting to find a workaround scripting
type of solution. I've have tried for months and months, off and on, to try
to fix this in the usual manner. I see that others have done the same but
unlike me have resolved the problem. One person also suggested that
something came corrupted with the new system, or something. Well, this
computer didn't come with the XP discs, the cockroach company told me later
that all I had to do was restore and that they didn't give out XP with their
computers. Well, hell. A quick internet search yielded quite a few
instances where restore didn't work so I'm reluctant to go that route
because I'll really be stuck if it didn't work. I'll figure out how to get
a floppy-less computer to work so that I can load Win98SE before I go that
route. I have my Win98SE disk even if I don't have XP. With all the
headaches this home version of XP has given me, over the only two real
"problems" in Win98SE (hunting for drivers for all new devices and the
occasional crash, no big deal in the end), there ain't nothing that XP
offers me with its constant and niggling friggin little problems on a daily
basis, that Win98SE wouldn't cure <g>. I'm not a gamer and all the apps I
have work on that OS so it wouldn't be a hardship.

However, if I can find a scripting sort of workaround, at least navigating
efficiently and easily in XP would alleviate my frustration levels despite
all the other tedious little problems it throws up every day <g>.

So if anyone can suggest some sort of script that I can run on boot up, I'd
really, really appreciate it. I'm hoping for something along the lines of
the type of simplicity I've seen AutoIt accomplish, but I'll live with what
I can get. Even a batch file that would set the folder view to what I need
and want each time on startup would do the job. But I haven't a clue where
to start. So any ideas welcome.

Thanks! :oD
 
| Through extensive research and quite a bit of help from this or another XP
| ng over the last few months, determined that my system came to me
corrupted
| or something as none of the fixes or suggestions resolved the folder view
| problem I've had from day one on my home computer.
_____

Support for a Windows XP installation purchased with a computer is the
responsibility of the manufacturer. Especially, if as you state, the
problem was present out of the box. It shouldn't take more than a few days
to solve any Windows XP problem... and in your case the first step would be
to contact customer support at the manufacturer website. Even if the
response there is less than satisfactory, then at least you will have more
useful ways to describe the problem and the attempted fixes.

Phil Weldon

| Through extensive research and quite a bit of help from this or another XP
| ng over the last few months, determined that my system came to me
corrupted
| or something as none of the fixes or suggestions resolved the folder view
| problem I've had from day one on my home computer.
|
| Here at the office on the new WinXP system, just setting the view to what
I
| needed the first time, as I always did in Win98SE after a wipe/reinstall,
| worked and no problems. But not so on my own computer and, indeed, on any
| other WinXP home computer I've worked on over the years.
|
| So, nothing ... the bags things, the TweakUI or whatever it was (can't
| remember all the details as it's been a few weeks) ... since nothing
helped,
| am now looking for a script or a 3rd party utility that can be invoked,
| something that will set my folder view to what I need. I don't care if I
| have to run it each startup, I'll just stick a shortcut to the solution in
| my startup menu.
|
| Fortunately for me, saving the view as I need it at least saves the view,
| almost as needed, till the next reboot. The name column always shrinks
| eventually so it's not as stable as when I would do it in Win98SE and
| forever after never have a problem. But at least the rest works between
| reboots before going back to default after starting up again.
|
| Can anyone suggest anything? Is there perhaps a switch that can set the
| folder view? I get the single-pane view I prefer by using the /n switch
in
| the command prompt or in shortcuts or even in AutoIt scripting, but was
| hoping to go the whole route in getting details view to show plus _only_
| date modified, size and type. I don't need all the rest re graphics or
| media displaying the details of the bitrate, etc., etc.
|
| Thanks and any comments re this type of solution appreciated! :oD
|
|
 
Open a Command Prompt window and type 'winver' (without the quotes), or
Start/Run and enter: winver.
This will at least tell you if you have SP2 installed or not.

JS
 
Open a Command Prompt window and type 'winver' (without the quotes), or
Start/Run and enter: winver.
This will at least tell you if you have SP2 installed or not.
Click to expand...

Drat. I _do_ have SP2 here at home.

Back to the drawing board.
 
| Through extensive research and quite a bit of help from this or another XP
| ng over the last few months, determined that my system came to me
corrupted
| or something as none of the fixes or suggestions resolved the folder view
| problem I've had from day one on my home computer.
_____

Support for a Windows XP installation purchased with a computer is the
responsibility of the manufacturer. Especially, if as you state, the
Click to expand...

You'd think so said:
problem was present out of the box. It shouldn't take more than a few days
to solve any Windows XP problem... and in your case the first step would be
to contact customer support at the manufacturer website. Even if the
Click to expand...

I contacted the company that I purchased this from and got very little
useful help. Sure they'd like to help but, as is true in so many
cases, they're not as knowledgeable as one would think. I have this
happen all the time. My printer/scanner is another thing that I can't
seem to get fixed. The quality is bad on scanned items but HP hasn't
response there is less than satisfactory, then at least you will have more
useful ways to describe the problem and the attempted fixes.
Click to expand...

Well, you'd think so but IT people aren't users or power users, they
often don't have an answer once they've gone through the stock list
they have for fixing something. Like this situation, I'm left with
responsibility of figuring out what's wrong.
 
'StargateFan' wrote, in part:
| Well, you'd think so but IT people aren't users or power users, they
| often don't have an answer once they've gone through the stock list
| they have for fixing something. Like this situation, I'm left with
| responsibility of figuring out what's wrong.
_____

No, you aren't left with the responsibility to find out what's wrong.
Instead, you're left with the responsibility of following up with the
manufacturer technical support until you get what you paid for. Bite that
bullet - no one else can do it for you, and certainly no one in this
newsgroup can help if you have a system that was corrupted 'out of the box'
and you don't do the follow-up with the manufacturer. System corruption
could mean almost anything, and out-of-the-box corruption, if that is what
you really have, can only be resolved with the manufacturer. Otherwise you
waste your time.

Phil Weldon

| On Thu, 26 Jul 2007 21:17:22 GMT, "Phil Weldon"
|
| >| Through extensive research and quite a bit of help from this or another
XP
| >| ng over the last few months, determined that my system came to me
| >corrupted
| >| or something as none of the fixes or suggestions resolved the folder
view
| >| problem I've had from day one on my home computer.
| >_____
| >
| >Support for a Windows XP installation purchased with a computer is the
| >responsibility of the manufacturer. Especially, if as you state, the
|
| You'd think so, wouldn't you <g>.
|
| >problem was present out of the box. It shouldn't take more than a few
days
| >to solve any Windows XP problem... and in your case the first step would
be
| >to contact customer support at the manufacturer website. Even if the
|
| I contacted the company that I purchased this from and got very little
| useful help. Sure they'd like to help but, as is true in so many
| cases, they're not as knowledgeable as one would think. I have this
| happen all the time. My printer/scanner is another thing that I can't
| seem to get fixed. The quality is bad on scanned items but HP hasn't
| given me useful tips on fixing. <sigh> So I'll keep digging. The
| answer lies somewhere.
|
| >response there is less than satisfactory, then at least you will have
more
| >useful ways to describe the problem and the attempted fixes.
|
| Well, you'd think so but IT people aren't users or power users, they
| often don't have an answer once they've gone through the stock list
| they have for fixing something. Like this situation, I'm left with
| responsibility of figuring out what's wrong.
|
| >Phil Weldon
| >
| >| >| Through extensive research and quite a bit of help from this or another
XP
| >| ng over the last few months, determined that my system came to me
| >corrupted
| >| or something as none of the fixes or suggestions resolved the folder
view
| >| problem I've had from day one on my home computer.
| >|
| >| Here at the office on the new WinXP system, just setting the view to
what
| >I
| >| needed the first time, as I always did in Win98SE after a
wipe/reinstall,
| >| worked and no problems. But not so on my own computer and, indeed, on
any
| >| other WinXP home computer I've worked on over the years.
| >|
| >| So, nothing ... the bags things, the TweakUI or whatever it was (can't
| >| remember all the details as it's been a few weeks) ... since nothing
| >helped,
| >| am now looking for a script or a 3rd party utility that can be invoked,
| >| something that will set my folder view to what I need. I don't care if
I
| >| have to run it each startup, I'll just stick a shortcut to the solution
in
| >| my startup menu.
| >|
| >| Fortunately for me, saving the view as I need it at least saves the
view,
| >| almost as needed, till the next reboot. The name column always shrinks
| >| eventually so it's not as stable as when I would do it in Win98SE and
| >| forever after never have a problem. But at least the rest works
between
| >| reboots before going back to default after starting up again.
| >|
| >| Can anyone suggest anything? Is there perhaps a switch that can set
the
| >| folder view? I get the single-pane view I prefer by using the /n
switch
| >in
| >| the command prompt or in shortcuts or even in AutoIt scripting, but was
| >| hoping to go the whole route in getting details view to show plus
_only_
| >| date modified, size and type. I don't need all the rest re graphics or
| >| media displaying the details of the bitrate, etc., etc.
| >|
| >| Thanks and any comments re this type of solution appreciated! :oD
| >|
| >|
| >
|
 
[snip]
Here at the office on the new WinXP system, just setting the view to what
I needed the first time, as I always did in Win98SE after a
wipe/reinstall, worked and no problems. But not so on my own computer
and, indeed, on any other WinXP home computer I've worked on over the
years.

So, nothing ... the bags things, the TweakUI or whatever it was (can't
remember all the details as it's been a few weeks) ... since nothing
helped, am now looking for a script or a 3rd party utility that can be
invoked, something that will set my folder view to what I need. I don't
care if I have to run it each startup, I'll just stick a shortcut to the
solution in my startup menu.

Fortunately for me, saving the view as I need it at least saves the view,
almost as needed, till the next reboot. The name column always shrinks
eventually so it's not as stable as when I would do it in Win98SE and
forever after never have a problem. But at least the rest works between
reboots before going back to default after starting up again.
Click to expand...

[snip]

After much consideration, have gone with DOpus WE-replacement. I'd tried it
several months past but it is so highly customizable that it was a head-ache
at the time to get it to where it looked/acted like WE without WE's problems
that occurred after Win98SE. I stopped using it because of its "complexity"
in setting up. But re-familizaring myself with the app and applying the
saved settings had me up and running again with 20 minutes of installing it
this weekend and the relief in having as stable a WE as my old Win98SE let
me function at full speed again without stopping to fiddle periodically. A
bonus for me.

DOpus definitely has given the best results out of all the ones I've tried
since I got WinX at home, which were many. So end of problems.

The original WE problem never got resolved, neither in this group nor
initially with a lot of time spent researching and contacting the computer
company, etc., but no matter. I found a workable and nearly perfect
solution so end result is the same.

Thanks, and cheers. :oD
 
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