Question

Active Desktop Script Error (safemode.htt)

Asked by: asiena

The active desktop is showing an error - title being Active Desktop Recovery.   There is a button labled 'Restore my Active Desktop'.    We are on XP/W2K3 domain.
 
An error has occured on the script on thsi page >> line 65 Char 1  Object doesnt supprot this acttion  Code 0.   URL (file:///C:/WINDOWS/web/safemode.htt). [see attached JPG]

Group Policy are set in SBS (it is not possible to modify the wallpapaer, active desktop is forced active). I've tried to turn on "not configured" these two options in GP Settings in WK3 and on the client affected the error was not shown. But, when I reactivate that options the error returns. I've tried to cancel also the file c:\windows\web\safemode.htt but the problem is still present. The profile of the user that joins to the domain in the affected client is "Domain Power User". But it is correct to tell that the problem affects the user profile only, because I've tried to join on the client with another user and all is ok.


How to resolve?????

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Asked On
2008-03-13 at 04:22:23ID23238038
Topics

SBS Small Business Server

,

Windows XP Operating System

,

Internet Explorer Web Browser

Participating Experts
5
Points
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Answers

 

by: doc_fieldsPosted on 2008-03-13 at 04:28:27ID: 21115036

Try reloading the Video drivers for the machine itself, That may resolve the issue.

 

by: asienaPosted on 2008-05-08 at 08:46:09ID: 21525725

done but it is the same....

 

by: hyperlitePosted on 2008-06-23 at 07:10:10ID: 21846347

I've had this on several machines on my domain.  Usually when a user has a third party application and tries to change wallpaper without having permissions to change.  A few things that worked for me:
1. Rename profile and copy old profile documents and settings to new profile.
2. Give permissions to change wallpaper then login to there profile and change the wallpaper then put them back in there group (mixed results on this one).
3. One I found that have not confirmed if this works, but sounds right when I was researching before about the desktop.htt file.  You could write a script to modify the registry if the user does not have permissions.

desktop.htt pretty much controls the size and position of your desktop. IE7 is a little bit incompatible with the old profile you may have had already. To fix it go Start >Run, type and enter regedit
Go to this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\SafeMode\Components
Change the value of DeskHtmlVersion to zero instead of decimal 272.

Close the explorer window, right-click your desktop and click Refresh.

 

by: hyperlitePosted on 2008-08-06 at 07:36:12ID: 22170687

Below is the fix for this.  I used the DeskHtmlVersion method to change the registry value and refresh the desktop.  I have used this on about 10 PCs so far and it is working.  Just copy the script below to notepad and rename to fix_desktop.vbs.

Option Explicit
' Create the Shell object
Dim objShell
Set objShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
 
'Change values that mess up IE 7 from decimal 272 to 0
objShell.RegWrite "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Desktop\SafeMode\Components\DeskHtmlVersion", "0", "REG_DWORD"
objShell.AppActivate "Program Manager"
objShell.SendKeys "{F5}"
WScript.Quit

                                              
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by: baranePosted on 2009-08-24 at 05:04:03ID: 25167452

# Start Windows Explorer.
# On the View menu, click Folder Options.
# In the Folder Options dialog box, on the View tab, under Advanced settings, click Show all files.
# Click to clear the Hide file extensions for known file types check box, click Apply, and then click OK.
# Quit Windows Explorer.
# On the taskbar, click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
# In the Find: All Files dialog box, type Desktop.htt in the Named box.
# In the Look in list, click My Computer, and then click Find Now.
# In the Name list, right-click Desktop.htt, and then click Rename on the shortcut menu that appears.
# Rename Desktop.htt to Desktop.old, and then press ENTER.

You receive the following message:
Are you sure you want to rename the system file 'Desktop.htt' to
'Desktop.old'?
# Click Yes, and then close the Find dialog box.
# On the taskbar, click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
# In Control Panel, double-click Display.
# In the Display Properties dialog box, on the Background tab, under Wallpaper, click any background picture other than that which is currently selected. For example, if the current background selection is None, click Bubbles.
# Click Apply, and then click OK.
# Restart your computer.
# On the taskbar, click Start, point to Settings, point to Active Desktop, and then click View as Web Page.
# Follow steps  to change your background picture to the one that you want.

 

by: TechInsiderPosted on 2009-09-18 at 15:57:20ID: 25370636

Hyperlite's script also worked to restore an Active Desktop damaged by virus/spy activity.

Great work!

Don't copy the numbers...just the text.  =)

 

by: baranePosted on 2009-09-18 at 19:59:51ID: 25371359


I too worked with Hyperlite's script and i was amazed. I had carried out the script steps manually but i had no change, after running the script it worked. Any way problem solved............

Still i have a doubt regards to Script.

How the script works? It would be better if i could find a reply..........


Regards

Barani G

 

by: sgdoughtPosted on 2009-10-06 at 14:21:09ID: 25510080

The Microsoft fix to just change the registry did not fix the issue.  The additional call to program manager also cleared the Active Desktop Error as well.  KUDOS.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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