Gregrocker--I eliminated Reg Mechanic as the cause, and the data just disappeared without a restart. I don't see anything in Syst Config Startup that looks like Sticky Notes. I prefer 7 to the Zohn Stickies (when 7 works), and would like to keep it.
I don't recall if I told you that the H-P PC didn't come with any disks. I also correct the post that said Sticky Notes isn't in Startup, it is. I have the 64-bit 7.
When you place your cursor on the MS file extension in msconfig>Startup, it will show which one ends with /stikynotes. That's how I tell which it is, same with gadgets which shows up as /sidebar.
It should write itself into Startup if you leave a note open on the desktop and won't delete itself from msconfig>startup until you close the note.
I would bet that shady tweak program RegMechanic you were using has stuffed your stickies which are perfectly stable as are all features in Win7. I would run Repair Install to put everything right again. Win7 needs no tweaking beyond normal system settings - it will absolutely work against you.
Locate or borrow a Win7 installer for your version, or unlock all versions in any retail installer by extracting ISO with ImgBurn, run ei.cfg removal tool, burn to DVD or write to flash stick an all-versions installer to run the Repair Install - or reinstall/run Recovery to go completely clean.
Last edited by gregrocker; 31 Aug 2010 at 02:28.
Gregrocker. (I'm not sure which post you're responding to.) I eliminated Reg Mech as the problem by running its scan for several days as a test. Sticky Notes didn't lose data. I reviewed StartUp as you instructed, and found Stick Notes there and checked. I ran scannow and it was negative for problems.
Reg Mech had nothing to do with the most recent loss of Sticky Notes data, as I'd not run it for some time, only Ccleaner when I last shut down the PC. Start Up had nothing to do with it, as Sticky Notes had opened, and had run for hours when the data disappeared and I was asked if I wanted to add Sticky Notes to Start Up. This is what happens whenever it loses data.
I have no 7 dvd/cd, as it came oem-installed, don't know where to borrow one, and don't want to do a reinstall, losing my apps and settings to resolve a Sticky Notes problem. Is that the only suggestion to fix the problem as I have described it? Thank you.
Did you edit Startup Items using CCleaner, or just run the cleaner? If you edited Startup Items you may have unchecked Sticky Notes without realizing it.
Try checking it again in msconfig>Startup and then do not use the CCleaner Startup Tab to see if your notes stay in place.
The suggestion I made is to run a Repair Install, which should fix your problem.
A Repair Install reinstalls Win7 while keeping all programs, data and settings in place. Then Stiky Notes and everything else should run fine as long as tweaks don't interfere again.
If Registry Mechanic or anything else caused your problem, the damage may have already been done whether you removed it or not.
I only ran Ccleaner. I use Ms Config to access Start screen. Sticky Notes was checked in StartUp and had been running for hours when the data disappeared and I got the message do I want to put Sticky Notes in Start Up. I clicked YES before I looked at Start Up, so I don't know if Sticky Notes had been unchecked in the midst of using it, but I assume so. I took your suggestion about not using Reg Mech, only did so to see if it was the cause. It wasn't, but I get your point about the damage may already have been done. I got your message, understand that a Repair won't affect apps/settings, will attempt it. Thank you.
REPAIR INSTALL says this. Is it likely that I'll encounter these things, or are they not applicable to a REPAIR only?
Sounds
Services
Visual Effects Settings
Device Drivers - Be sure to have these handy to reinstall. They do not always remain after the repair (upgrade) install.
You may lose the ability to sign on to MSN Messenger, to solve this problem have a look at this thread Unable to sign in to WLM.
You may lose your custom themes due to not having permisions set on the old themes. Go to the hidden themes folder at C:/Users/(User-Name)/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Themes, then Take Ownership of the themes folder and you will now have all your themes back.
It has been reported that you may also lose your Media Center gadget after doing the repair install.
May I suggest that you run the Repair Install and let it set your Themes back to default, then rightlick Desktop to Personalize, select an Aero Theme, set up your desktop background (I like slideshow, using 120 Win7 national backgrounds downloaded from web - the most spectacular pictures ever taken). Run it this way for awhile to see if you can hang with it as is. Some Customization involves tweaking that can cause system problems.
Let it also replace drivers with the ones the installer prefers. Check "Keep connected to internet during install" so newer drivers are slipped into installer during Repair. Look for newer drivers also in optional Windows Updates. Then import any drivers missing in Device Manager from Support Downloads webpage for your model computer or Device. Run with these Win7-preferred drivers for awhile to see the difference. Only replace drivers given by Win7 if performance dictates.
If your Media Center gadget or anything else is missing after Repair, then reinstall it. But please refrain from making any tweaks beyond normal system settings as these almost always work against you. The longer you run before making any changes, the more familar you will be with how Win7 is meant to run by default.
Note that you will need to reactivate at Computer>Properties so have your Product Key ready.
Do I assume that I'll have to reinstall Avira, Malwarebyte, Ccleaner, Picassa, Superadblocker, Rhapsody, because those drivers will have been lost?
Before the Repair I would uninstall Avira and Superadblocker, restart and install MS Security Essentials which is the lightweight free AV recommended most highly around here. Update, run a full scan.
No programs should have to be reinstalled that aren't flagged at the beginning of Repair Install.
Last edited by gregrocker; 31 Aug 2010 at 15:58.
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