Solved Problems with appearance and personalization

[NotDarkYet]

Hi there,

I've tried to fill in my computer's specifications as fully as possible but some information I just couldn't find. Given this; however, I would still say my computing skills are intermediate.

I bought a new laptop recently which came with Windows 7 pre-installed. Before this I had been using Windows XP for four years. All things considered I find Windows 7 appropriate for what I use my computer for; user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.

The only slight problems I've had are with setting the desktop background to slideshow and changing the picture to my user account. After I started the computer I began altering the design features to my own preference. The first thing which was annoying me was the 'Favorites' and 'Libraries' folders, so I searched Google and removed them via the registry.

After everything else was assembled and transferred I attempted to set the desktop background to shuffle. Yet, when I click on 'Browse...' and locate the My Pictures folder (where the pictures I downloaded were saved) and double click to open it none of the pictures appear. I don't suppose anyone else has stumbled across this problem?

I believe that my second question is related to whatever the problem is with the desktop background. When I go into 'Change Your Picture' and click on 'Browse for more pictures...', nothing happens. Just nothing.

I know I shouldn't have messed with the registry on a brand new computer but my obsessiveness got the best of me. If anyone could help me sort these out I'd be really grateful.

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

Unfortunately, the worst thing you could have done was mess with the Libraries folders.

Windows 7 uses a system of junction points and symbolic links so that legacy software gets pointed to the right folder. For example, My Documents files for the Windows XP operating system will be pointed to the Users folder in Windows 7.

These junction points are virtual folders so you can't see them, but if you break the link between them and the folder they point to, you've got problems.

I don't suppose you backed up the registry before you went in and removed the keys for your Libraries and Favourites? If you did, just restore the backup.

If you didn't, boot into Safe Mode and do a system restore to a point before you altered the system registry.

If that doesn't work you're probably looking at restoring Windows 7.

 

[MacGyvr]

What you should have done instead of trying to make Windows 7 work like Windows XP was familiarize yourself with the new features. Libraries is/are one of the best new additions to the operating system....and you simply ripped them out without even giving them a consideration.

 

[Layback Bear]

Thumbs up MacGyvr.
To the OP. Give Windows 7 and yourself a little time to get to know each other. You will like it. I would also suggest before doing such things get with the good folks here and ask for information.

 

[Britton30]

Try How to restore all of the default Libraries in Windows 7 first


I don't think a restore will help since the registry was altered.
Try this system file checker and see what happens.

For system specs see Here.


Windows 7 has a comprehensive help file as well. Start button and Help and Support. Put Libraries in the search pane.

 

[Imperfect1]

Good suggestions Britton30. Rep+ to you!

 

[seavixen32]

Try How to restore all of the default Libraries in Windows 7 first


I don't think a restore will help since the registry was altered.
Try this system file checker and see what happens.

For system specs see Here.


Windows 7 has a comprehensive help file as well. Start button and Help and Support. Put Libraries in the search pane.

I wasn't meaning a full restore to out-of-the-box settings, just a restore to a system restore point before the registry was edited.

Doing that should get the OP back to square one because he will then have his computer using the registry settings as they were before he altered them.

 

[Britton30]

Thanks Andrew, I was mistaken, a system restore should restore the registry.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

 

[NotDarkYet]

Thanks for the replies everybody; of the many forums I've posted on this seems like one of the most helpful around.

MacGyvr and Layback Bear: you both speak the truth. I've been on Windows 7 now for about ten days and, as I tried to say in my original post, really enjoy the user compatibility. It is a great improvement on Windows XP. Since my original modifications I re-edited the registry and I'd agree - Libraries is a fantastic feature. However, my initial impatience got the best of me and that's what brings me to the forums.

I'll do a system restore tomorrow before I leave for work then and hope for the best. It may not be surprising to you but I didn't back up the registry.

If it's not to much trouble seavixen32 could you post a basic guide on performing a system restore? I've never had to do one before so am unfamiliar with any prompts which may arise.

One last thing which is bothering me though is my external HD will not eject through the usual 'safely remove hardware' option. The only choice is to unplug after the laptop has been shut down. Not at all a hinderance but a slight annoyance. Could this be related to my messing around with the registry?

Thanks once again to all who replied. It's much appreciated.

 

[DocBrown]

Welcome NotDarkYet

:ar: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

 

[seavixen32]

Doc's beat me to it.

Your point about the hard drive may, but not necessarily, be related to your registry database.

See how it acts after you've restored your system and if it's still not playing ball, let us know and we can start investigating why.

 

[Imperfect1]

Have you tried to activate the "Safely eject" link from both sides/columns of the Windows Explorer? I have found it doesn't work if I try to activate it from the left column (the Navigation Pane), but it does work if I activate it from the right column.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Process Explorer

I have Process Explorer on my W7 install.
It has a "Find" feature.

You type in the drive letter of your external HDD.
It will show you a list of threads and handles related to your search.
You can then kill those one-by-one.
Once they have been dealt with, do another "Find" for your HDD drive letter.
If Process Explorer doesn't list any results, you should be able to use the normal "Safely Remove" option to disconnect your HDD.

Process Explorer is available free from MS and other sites.
No install is needed.
Process Explorer

Probably not much help for your current problem, but you might want to consider it for the future.

 

[NotDarkYet]

Thanks you lehnerus2000, I will certainly consider that after the system restore.

Sorry I've been away for two days but just haven't had the time to get to the computer.

Just one more question before I do this restore tonight if anyone could help;

Is there anywhere to save my bookmarks that won't delete them from the computer after the restore.

Really wouldn't fancy writing them all out...

Thanks for the information DocBrown.

And what do you mean from the left side of the panel on Explorer Imperfect1? The only way I know how to eject an external HD is by clicking on the icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen and then on 'Eject...', are there other ways?

Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[Britton30]

Navigate to C:\users/username/favorites and copy the favorites folder contents to a new folder on your desktop. After the restore copy the back to the original location.
NOTE: Favorites also contains Favorites Bar which has any shortcuts you have added to the IE Favorites bar, these should be copied back separately.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Bookmarks?

Which bookmarks do you mean?

There is a Favorites folder in your User profile:

C:\Users\<Your User Name>\Favorites

​

Firefox bookmarks are stored in you User profile also:

C:\Users\<Your User Name>\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles
​

A normal System Restore shouldn't change your documents and favourites.
If you are cautious/paranoid, you could copy your documents and favourites to an external drive.
You can export Firefox bookmarks using the Import and Backup option in the Library (in Firefox).

If you re-image your HDD (for example using Window Backup and Restore or Macrium Reflect), you WILL lose any documents that have been added since you made the image.

 

[Imperfect1]

And what do you mean from the left side of the panel on Explorer Imperfect1? The only way I know how to eject an external HD is by clicking on the icon in the bottom right hand corner of the screen and then on 'Eject...', are there other ways?

Go into Windows Explorer and in the Navigation Pane (left side column)
single-click on Computer. Go over to the right-side column and right-click on the drive you want to eject. Select "Safely Eject" and a pop-up balloon at the lower-right corner of the screen should tell you that you can now safely eject the item (i.e. your HD).

If on the other hand, you were to try to right-click on that same drive in the left side column (the Navigation Pane) you would probably get an error message telling you that it is not safe to eject that item.

 

[NotDarkYet]

Hello everyone, apologies for the delay between my replies but I'm moving house at the moment and haven't had much chance to sit down with my computer.

Anyway, I tried a system restore two nights ago but the oldest point was one day after I messed with the registry. I attempted this anyway but all I recieved was an error message and, after much clicking, my computer ended the night the way it had started that morning.

seavixen32 you suggested, if a system restore failed, to try restoring Windows 7; do you still think this is the best route to follow?

Or should I take on Britton30's advice and attempt to restore all the default libraries in Windows 7?

I have come to get used to these defunct features concerning my Windows 7; yet they are minor annoyances that, at the same time, I wouldn't mind getting rid of.


Thanks,

Ian

 

[Britton30]

Hi Ian, I would, personally, try anything possible before a repair or clean install

 

[marsmimar]

seavixen32 you suggested, if a system restore failed, to try restoring Windows 7; do you still think this is the best route to follow?

Or should I take on Britton30's advice and attempt to restore all the default libraries in Windows 7?

Just another opinion. Once the registry has been changed it's almost impossible to know if other changes might have occurred. Restoring the libraries may work ... or not. Or you'll find out at the most inopportune time that something else is broke. For that reason I'd recommend a system restore after you copy your important documents, photos, bookmarks, favorites, etc and save them to your external HD. Since this is a relatively new machine, I'd access the hidden recovery partition and restore the machine to its original factory settings (like it was the day you got it home.) After you have everything set up again I'd immediately make a system image using either the built in Win 7 imaging tool or any of the free products like Macrium or Paragon. Once you have a system image, feel free to experiment. If and when the computer gets hosed (and it will happen if you like to tinker ) you can use the system image to be up and running in about 30 minutes.