Magic Folder Gadget Broken - Help Needed

[mickelmass]

I have been using the Magic Folder gadget ever since the early Vista days and I am still using it with Win 7. However, up until a couple of weeks ago, it was working perfectly but now it won't work at all! Whenever I try to open a folder from the folder list I have created, as I have done many times before, I get the following error message: "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program, or if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control panel." I have no idea why all of a sudden it is doing this and I also have no idea how to possibly rectify the problem. Suffice to say, that whever I install The Magic Folder, I doesn't even show the pre-installed folders as it used to do when it was working correctly. Does anybody here possibly have any idea why it should be doing this and if so, is there a remedy for it to make it work correctly again please? Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance. Mike.

 

[Barman58]

Hi Mike,

Although I know of the gadget you mention I do not know the fine details of it's operation.

It would appear that the gadget has become corrupted. The easiest way to solve this would be to uninstall and reinstall.

First check with the developers site this may be a known issue

A simple reinstall is the first to try without any other action this may reset the problem areas

If this does not work uninstall and then reinstall.

If the problem still exists you could try removing the gadget files manually

enter shell:gadgets into the start search box this will open the gadget folder which will allow you to manually remove the relevant folder. Hopefully a new install will set things back to how they were

 

[mickelmass]

Hi

And thanks for that advice. I have done all that of which you mentioned already. Completely uninstalled it from the shell:gadgets folder but when I reinstall the gadget it still has the same problem. I have left a message on the developers website and blog, mentioning exactly the same as I put on this forum but as yet, I have heard nothing. It's quite strange that it just happened all of a sudden after working well for ages? I don't know what to do now as whenever I reinstall the gadget, you can tell just by looking at it that it isn't going to work correctly again as when it's opened, as I mentioned before, none of the pre-installed folders are showing. These can be easily removed and replaced with folders of your choice but it just won't let me do that. Oh well, I shall keep trying and asking questions and see if anyone can come up with an answer? Thanks again for the advice. Regards, Mike.

 

[Barman58]

Hi Mike,

One other thing to do to test the system - will probably do nothing at all but it's always worth a try

The gadget should keep all it's information in the gadget folder so the fact that deleting and re-creating the folder makes no difference would indicate that the issue lies with either a system or user setup

Create a new user on your system, log in to the new user and add the gadget. If it works for the new user then the issue is somehow related to your user ID and possibly permissions.

If it doesn't work then it is a system wide problem

 

[mickelmass]

Magic Folder Gadget

Hi Nigel

Sorry to bother you yet again. Well, I just got back from dialysis and tried the new user account that you suggested. Again, The Magic Folder didn't do what it was supposed to do. However, this time, the pre-loaded folders and file extensions were actually there and showing in the drop down menu, so something on the right road to sorting theis problem did happen, althogh when I tried opening one of said folders, I got exactly the same error message again. I am wondering if it could be a problem somwhere in the registry at all? I have used registry changes before so I am not afraid to go into it and change something if the need arises. I have Googled this problem so many times now but I don't think anyone else has ever experienced this type of fault before? And still I have not received a reply email from the person whi made the gadget. Cheers again for all your advice so far Nigel.

Regards
Mike

 

[Barman58]

Hi Mike,

It's not any bother - it's what we're here for

As I said initially I don't know how the gadget works so cannot give specifics , But I would agree that a registry problem could be the cause.

While we wait for the developer to get in touch with you.

I have changed the thread title to hopefully get someone who has more knowledge of gadgets and this one in particular to take a look. We do have a number of developers as members here and hopefully one will have some further suggestions

 

[mickelmass]

Hi Nigel

Many thanks for changing the thread title. You have more knowledge than me as far as these forums go, so maybe somebody who knows a bit about gadgets will hook up and maybe offer some explanation? I have even tried some registry fixes to try and find problems and fix them but still it has not helped. Plus I did a disc scan for errors and fixes as well (took ages) but nothing again. I will just hang on a bit and wait until maybe somebody picks up on the thread and can assist. Cheers for all your help Nigel. I did manage to sort another problem out though all by myself. I have a Microsoft Wireless Laser 7000 Desktop set and for a couple of weeks now, the volume up and down button has not been working. I Googled the problem and found the answer. I had to go into the registry and change a few settings in the hidserv (human interface device service) registry keys and bobs your uncle and sally's your aunt - it worked (for some reason they had been disabled when they should have been enabled)! Shame I can't do the same for this dodgy sidebar gadget? Cheers again and I will let you know if I come up with anything positive.

Kind regards
Mike

 

[Element7]

What is this Magic Folder your talking about?

 

[mickelmass]

Its a Windows Vista or Windows 7 sidebar gadget. Very handy little gadget it is as well. Saves clicking lots of times to open the folders that you want to get to. Two clicks or less and you are there! You can see it and download it at the link below. Cheers! Mike.

Windows Live Gallery

 

[mickelmass]

Hey Nigel!

I finally got the gadget working at last! I had to do yet another fresh reinstall and reformat with Win 7 but it seemed to have sorted it out this time. I have done a reformat about three times now to see if it would fix the problem but it didn't work . So God only knows what i did this time to get it working? Thanks once again for all your help, it is greatly appreciated. Cheers! Mike.

 

[Barman58]

Hi Mike,

Great to hear you have it solved - it's annoying that you had to reinstall to get it to work.
If you do ever get a reply from the developer I would try and work with him to improve the gadget