Can't copy or move

Are you able to select files by left click of mouse ?

In Explorer, click on View -> Folder Option.
Select "View All Files".

Delete the hidden file "desktop.ini".

Does this help ?

See if this helps:

Add/Remove Programs, highlight Microsoft Internet Explorer, click Add/Remove button, select Repair and click Next and OK. Reboot when asked to.

Zee

Note:  I have Windows 98 SE also, so perhaps the .REG file could be your first option.

Found at VirtualDr Support Forums:

I have a PC that won't cut and paste! It won't copy, can't drag a file....

This happens frequently
It occurs when Windows is reinstalled over the top of itself with Internet Explorer on the system. If you dont uninstall IE before overlaying windows you will lose drag & drop - copy & paste.  The fix is to uninstall IE reboot & reinstall it

Actually, this isn't the only cause of this.
It happened to me a few weeks ago, and I eventually found it was due to DCOM95 being corrupt. I just installed DCOM95 again and it worked no problem.
Incedentally, it was Norton that found this out, also Norton installed it again for me.

Here are another couple of possible solutions I found at Computing.Net:

You could check the Registry at HKCurrentUser\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Poicies\ActiveDesktop
and verify that the value of NoCloseDragDropBands is 0. I have heard of some solving this problem by reinstalling IE over the top.

Probably a longshot for you, but I have noticed that under:
Internet Options>Security>Custom>Settings
There are options to enable, disable or prompt for the drag and drop, cut and paste functions. Possibly you can reset the feature from there.

I notice that you have details of the DCOM issue on your website, LeeTutor:
http://home.earthlink.net/~leetutor/FixWin/WinExpl/dragdrop.htm
Just to save anyone from hunting further for more details.

Just one point.  I notice that the link to the Microsoft page relating to DCOM98 (http://www.microsoft.com/com/dcom/dcom98/dcom1_3.asp) redirects to http://www.microsoft.com/com/default.mspx

If anyone is looking for the download link for DCOM 98 version 1.3 for Windows 98 and Windows 98SE, it is at the bottom of that page.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=08b1ac1b-7a11-43e8-b59d-0867f9bdda66&displaylang=en

To download the installer file directly, just RIGHT-Click the following link and select "Save TARGET As".  Save it anywhere on your hard drive and double-click on it to install.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/d/1/3/d13cd456-f0cf-4fb2-a17f-20afc79f8a51/DCOM98.EXE

Just for further info, DCOM98 version 1.3 will overwrite all previous files installed as part of DCOM95 without prompting.

It appears to be uninstallable at any subsequent date.

It will install the following file versions:

asycfilt.dll     2.40.4275.1
comcat.dll       5.0.1601.1
compobj.dll      2.30.200.1
dllhost.exe      4.71.3328.0
ole2.dll         2.30.200.0
ole32.dll        4.71.3328.0
oleaut32.dll     2.40.4275.1
olecnv32.dll     4.71.3328.0
olepro32.dll     5.0.4275.1
olethk32.dll     4.71.3328.0
rpcltc1.dll      4.71.3328.0
rpcltc5.dll      4.71.3328.0
rpcltccm.dll     4.71.3328.0
rpclts5.dll      4.71.3328.0
rpcltscm.dll     4.71.3328.0
rpcmqcl.dll      4.71.3328.0
rpcmqsvr.dll     4.71.3328.0
rpcns4.dll       4.71.3328.0
rpcrt4.dll       4.71.3328.0
rpcss.exe        4.71.3328.0
secur32.dll      4.10.0.2177
stdole2.tlb      2.40.4275.1
stdole32.tlb     2.10.3027.1
storage.dll      2.30.200.0

thats is not a good sugision but try to format ur c:\ drive and reinstall win98 Sec edition plz.
it will be solved ur problem.

thx and reply me

Which suggestion is "not a good suggestion" AsifBangash?

Surely we should try and help frog to resolve the problem first WITHOUT having to format the hard drive and reinstall Windows?

If we all just suggested a format and reinstall to every member who "all of a sudden" or "for no apparent reason" developed a problem with Windows, then we would be taking the easy way out.

Maybe we should all keep a copy of the following in NotePad and paste it here for every question asked:

1. Boot to a windows 98 boot floppy
2. Type format c:  and wait until it finishes
3. Insert your windows cd
4. Type x:\win98\setup where x is the drive letter of your cd-rom
5. Follow the prompts.

Here's some easy-to-follow instructions:
http://www.palsite.com/formatc.gif

There, how easy is that?  It's certainly easy, but reinstalling all the drivers, programs, applications, and personalized configurations isn't quite as quick and easy as that simple "format c:" command.

Perhaps Microsoft should sell customized keyboards like this one for Windows:
http://www.ahajokes.com/cartoon/1101fc.jpg

Or perhaps this message should always be shown shortly after a fresh installation:
http://www.erben.com/Images/DeleteWindows.gif

http://www.covex.nn.ru/galleries/prikol.1.big/pistol.jpg

>>Maybe we should all keep a copy...<<

Done.

Thank you!
:))

Zee

Thanks everyone.
With the many references to registry corruptions I restored the registry from a 1 week old backup and the problem was solved.
I have downloaded the "Drag and Drop Fix" mentioned by BillDL and will try it if the problem returns.

BillDL you say you are using W98SE, can you tell me why?
I use it because each version of Windows seems to retain bugs from previous versions plus add many new ones, and the later versions seem to be more virus prone too. To quote an old workmate "They haven't got W3.1 working yet so why would I risk using anything less developed."
It seems like it takes at least 5 years or more for uSoft to get a version stable, I assume that is your reason for staying with W98?

Thank you, frog.

I still use Win98SE for the simple reason that it is relatively easy to fix when things go wrong, and they seemed to have ironed out many of the problems with the Win9x family by the time they got there.  The later windows releases are just too full of security holes and it is a pain to install all the patches for WinXP.

I have WinXP, but I am waiting to see how many of the problems are rectified in Windows XP SP2 before I install that.

blue_zee, here's one that worked and would have saved a lot of time pasting those 5 steps from NotePad at the outset  :-)

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/21182904/Windows-applications-will-not-connect-to-internet.html

Damn, why didn't I think of that?

Yup, I was there too.

Maybe we should start our answers:

Have you tried "format C:"?

Post back if that doesn't do it.

Cheers,

Zee

Hi BillDL and  blue_zee,

I realise this question has been resolved but I would like a comment if you feel like it.

The no drag/drop problem has appeared again, twice!
Each time was after I had copied files from a flash drive to my Win98 PC.
I have ran Vet, AdAware and Spybot and BHODemon on the PC and the flash drive and nothing was found.
The files have come from network PCs and I am sure the network is virus free.

Is there a normal function in either W2000 or WinXP that allows drag/drop/icon positions to be locked?
I am wondering if a "normal" function from those more recent operating systems has been transferred to the W98 PC and because W98 doesn't have that function there is no way to switch it off.
That would make it appear to be a virus / file corruption / etc when it is really an unintended "upgrade".

I don't mind trying to answer your further question at all, frog, for the simple reason that the CAUSE of the problem hasn't really been resolved.  Often experts will suggest that you ask a new question, or the moderators dislike too many comments being added to a PAQ'd (Previously asked question) because it takes up additional space on their servers, but I prefer to resolve something completely.

What we would have to know are the following things:

General
-----------

1. Do you lose the ability to drag and drop files AND folders on your Hard Drive, OR is it only the Flash Drive which is affected
2. Does this affect Windows Explorer AND My Computer (same thing in essence, but there can be differences)
3. Does it affect ONLY those files and folders copied FROM the flash drive to Win98

Copying FROM the flash drive to Win98
-------------------------------------------------

1. Exactly what files are being copied back onto the hard drive from the flash drive
2. Are you copying an entire folder or just the files within it
3. If just the files, then are you using the "select all" option to copy ALL the files in that folder, or just selected ones

Copying TO the flash drive from "networked PC's"
---------------------------------------------------------------

1. Same questions as 1, 2 and 3 above
2. Are the files from a number of PC's using different operating systems and are the files mixed in with each other.

Your question seems to be examining the possibility that individual file properties retaining restrictions specific to the source operating systems might be transferring across with the files.

The NTFS filing system allows restrictions of access to files and folders, but I am sure that this is lost when the files are copied to a FAT32 filing system that does not support this type of access restriction.  In other words, the file itself isn't storing a particular restriction.  This is achieved on NTFS by setting users into groups with different access rights to folders and files.

Without yet knowing the answers to the above questions, I am wondering if you are copying something like a desktop.ini or folder.htt file across to a folder on the Win98 system whereby it then sets a particular behaviour on the folder on which it is placed.

Let us know these things while I look further at the possibilities.

One thing you COULD try meantime is:

1. Apply the registry patch and get your system to the stage where it DOES allow dragging and dropping.  This is the stage you appear to have reached before using the Flash Drive again.

2. Use REGEDIT and export a FULL registry to a reg file named before.reg in a folder eg. C:\BEFORE

3. Make copies of all the desktop.ini files on your system, rename them to .txt files with appropriate names to reflect their source, and remove all the attributes.

A useful tool for finding and creating a list of files is the DOS command WHERE.EXE.  You will find this file in the " \tools\reskit\file\ " folder of a Win98SE CD.  Copy it to the C:\Windows\Command folder of the affected computer, and it will thereafter be accessible from the command prompt in a Windows DOS-box (unfortunately it doesn't work in full dos).  The command:

where /r c:\  desktop.ini > %TEMP%\DTinifilesBefore.txt

will create a file DTinifilesBefore.txt in your C:\Windows\TEMP folder and allow you to create a batch file to copy the files.  I will show an example in a moment which would make copies of various files to a C:\BEFORE folder.

3. Now perform the same routine with the Flash Drive that seems to have caused the loss of drag and drop functionality and, once it has messed up the settings again, do the same as above, but this time export a .reg file to a C:\AFTER folder that you have created.  Run where.exe and create a file DTinifilesAfter.txt, then create a batch file that copies the files to the C:\AFTER folder.

4. Compare the files for changes.

Comparing 2 registry files made by exporting a complete registry isn't easy, but I use a utility program named "Beyond Compare" (version 2) by ScooterWare which makes it a whole lot easier.  In fact, it works on ANY file type, including .ini files:

http://www.scootersoftware.com/download.html

Free 30 day trial.  It costs $30 and needs a retail user key after that, but should be long enough for your purposes.

http://www.scootersoftware.com/moreinfo.php

Example batch file to
Copy all the desktop.ini files and other miscellaneous system files to to a folder named c:\before.
Used the where.exe file to generate a listing, and then truncated the paths to dos-format to remove spaves in folder names like "Temporary Internet Files".

@echo off
::
:: Run this in a Windows DOS box, not full DOS
::
:: Create variables to avoid long paths and spaces
::
set R=c:\RECYCLED
set MDOC=c:\mydocu~1
set P=c:\progra~1
set W=c:\WINDOWS
set S=c:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM
set WT=c:\WINDOWS\Tempor~1
set WTSK=c:\WINDOWS\Tasks
set S32=c:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32
set H=c:\WINDOWS\History
set F=c:\WINDOWS\FONTS
set OWP=c:\WINDOWS\Offlin~1
set DPF=c:\WINDOWS\Downlo~1
set FAV=c:\WINDOWS\Favori~1
::
:: Remove hidden file attributes to allow copying
::
attrib -h %S%\desktop.ini
attrib -h %S32%\desktop.ini
attrib -h %F%\DESKTOP.INI
attrib -h %OWP%\desktop.ini
attrib -h %DPF%\desktop.ini
attrib -h %FAV%\desktop.ini
attrib -h %W%\desktop.ini
attrib -h %WT%\desktop.ini
attrib -h %H%\History\desktop.ini
attrib -h %WTSK%\DESKTOP.INI
attrib -h %R%\desktop.ini
attrib -h %MDOC%\desktop.ini
attrib -h %P%\desktop.ini
::
:: Create destination folder and copy files
:: to it using appropriate names to ID them
::
md c:\BEFORE
set B=c:\BEFORE
start /w regedit /e %B%\RegBefore.txt
copy %S%\desktop.ini %B%\winsys.txt
copy %S32%\desktop.ini %B%\winsys32.txt
copy %F%\DESKTOP.INI %B%\fonts.txt
copy %OWP%\desktop.ini %B%\offlinewebs.txt
copy %DPF%\desktop.ini %B%\downprog.txt
copy %FAV%\desktop.ini %B%\favorites.txt
copy %W%\desktop.ini %B%\windows.ini
copy %WT%\desktop.ini %B%\tempintfiles.txt
copy %H%\desktop.ini %B%\history.txt
copy %WTSK%\desktop.ini %B%\tasks.txt
copy %R%\desktop.ini %B%\recycled.txt
copy %MDOC%\desktop.ini %B%\mydocs.txt
copy %P%\desktop.ini %B%\progfiles.txt
::
:: Restore file attributes
::
attrib +h %S%\desktop.ini
attrib +h %S32%\desktop.ini
attrib +h %F%\DESKTOP.INI
attrib +h %OWP%\desktop.ini
attrib +h %DPF%\desktop.ini
attrib +h %FAV%\desktop.ini
attrib +h %W%\desktop.ini
attrib +h %WT%\desktop.ini
attrib +h %H%\History\desktop.ini
attrib +h %WTSK%\DESKTOP.INI
attrib +h %R%\desktop.ini
attrib +h %MDOC%\desktop.ini
attrib +h %P%\desktop.ini
::
:: Copy other system files to destination folder
::
copy c:\autoexec.bat %B%\autoexec.txt
copy c:\config.sys %B%\config.txt
copy win.ini
copy %W%\system.ini %B%\systemini.txt
copy %W%\control.ini %B%\controlini.txt
::
:: Get rid of variables
::
set R=
set MDOC=
set P=
set W=
set S=
set WT=
set WTSK=
set S32=
set H=
set F=
set OWP=
set DPF=
set FAV=
set B=

Bill

That should be "spaces" not "spaves".  Hope there's no typo's in the example batch file like that.  Remember, it's just an example that would make it easier to compare files.

Beyond Compare creates a new RIGHT-Click option where you can compare files as a 2-step routine:

1. Right-click file 1 and choose "Select left side to compare"
2. Right-click file 2 and choose "compare with file xxx.yyy"

It notifies you if the files match, and will then display them side-by-side (or over and under if that's your preference) with differences marked as different colours depending on how you set it to show them.

Cancel that batch file, I don't think it will work WITHIN Windows.  You should get the general idea of what I am suggesting though.

Thanks Bill,
The files are unformatted text files. (Actually .asm files from MPLab)
I have looked at them with a hex editor and they only contain printables + CR,LF (0D, 0A).
It has been just individual files copied, not whole folders or 'select all'.
I don't think the problem is strictly to do with the individual file attributes, but praps folder attributes or Explorer settings/modes being transferred. (But that's just a guess.)

On both the HDD and flash drive I cannot copy or move individual files or folders, this applies to all folders not just the ones involved in the original transfer. The same applies to 'MyComputer'.
I can copy using the 'copy' and 'paste' buttons and menu items in Explorer. Also ctrlX, ctrlC, ctrlV work.

From memory it happens when the files come from a PC running XP and another with W2000, but I'll get the exact details tomorrow so we are not dealing with guesses. I'll also talk to the network boffins in case they know what is happening.
Thanks again for your reply.

Another clue -
I have "2xExplorer v1.4" which I thought was just a wrapper around Explorer.
(from http://www.netez.com/2xExplorer)
It can drag/drop files within itself.
It can drag/drop To Explorer.
Explorer can Not drag/drop to 2xExplorer.

Explorer and MyComputer cannot drag/drop between each other.
I can drag/drop from the desktop To Explorer.
Explorer can Not drag/drop to the desktop.
I can move icons on the desktop but not within folders.
More tomorrow . . .

I remember looking at a similar utility a while ago named TwinExplorer (http://www.pepsoft.com/twinx/index.php) that probably works on a similar principle, ie. 2 x windows explorer's in one window to save you having to open 2 instances of Explorer and losing one to the taskbar every time focus is brought to the other.

I notice the following points about 2xExplorer from the link you provided:

1.  Proper path resolution, including UNC and relative paths
     e.g. "C:" as opposed to "C:\"
2.  Full drag/drop and shell context menu support, for integration with the desktop
3.  Shell namespace browser, allowing the browsing of non-filesystem folders
     like ControlPanel etc.
4.  If you install a shell extension for FTP and/or ZIP content browsing, 2xExplorer
     will integrate with that too (does so already for zipfolders in winXP & 2000)
5.  A host of features......persistent properties and command history

I am wondering several things about these statements in the same order:

1. and 5. Does the path resolution retain "persistent" properties such as the relative and unc paths from the original computer?  Can't see how, but wondering.

2. Maybe the context menu's of 2xExplorer have overwritten the existing Windows Explorer registry settings with its own

3. Presumably the "namespace browser" won't allow dragging and dropping of items from the control panel, but if the transferred files have somehow been seen as system files, is it protecting them in a similar way?

4. Has the transfer to the flash drive somehow zipped them up into some wrapper that is being seen as a zip file by 2xExplorer and is somehow protecting them?

I would hazard a guess at Point 2 here, but will try and rip the program apart to see if I can find out exactly what registry settings it creates or overwrites.

Maybe not, it seems to be very much a standalone utility that uses existing resources:

>>>
"2xExplorer doesn't come with an installation program.....download the ZIP archive.....extract the files to any folder...running it creates registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ZabaraKatranemia Plc\2xExplorer".
<<<

Just downloaded it.  Will get back to you.

Thanks Bill,
Today I made sure the problem was there, then I restored an old System.dat and User.dat and the problem was fixed. That shows it's in the registry proper, not in any .ini files.
I also transferred files from the XP computer on the network via the flash drive and the problem did not appear.
Tomorrow Ill try the W2000 one. That is the one that first caused the problem. Half of me hopes the problem appears, half hopes it won't appear, and the other half doesn't care much either way!
(The registry restore was done by renaming the two existing .dat files then copying the two old ones to replace them, then pull the mains plug so nothing could write to them, then start the PC again. I know it's rough but it made sure that only the two .dats were restored.)

Sorry for the delay in response, I was checking it out thoroughly.

Before running and configuring the program, I exported a "full" .reg file and then did the same afterwards.  Of course, a regedit export isn't absolutely ALL of the registry, but it should have covered all the elements that would affect dragging and dropping by the Current User and Globally.

Obviously using both .dat files is the complete method, and I would sure love to know what settings were in either of them that successfully restored functionality.

Here's what i found from my checking, not that it makes a whole lot of difference now.

New Registry Entries Created (just as the program doucumentation stated)
=====================

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ZabaraKatranemia Plc]
[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\ZabaraKatranemia Plc]

Both registry keys are exact mirrors, as expected.

One thing that DOES puzzle me, however, is a registry change that wasn't documented or expected.  It actually CREATED the following empty registry key:

[HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Network]

ie. The sub-key "Network" has been added where it didn't exist before, but there are no data values.  The only thing I can think is that it WOULD have read any restrictions set in there, and reduced its functionality in accordance with them.  By creating a blank sub-key, it then knows that there are no network restrictions.

I would be curious to know if this is where your issue stemmed from.

Other miscellaneous things noticed, but again inconsequential now.

From the help file: (some references to drag and drop)
=============

Dragging Modifiers
-------------------------
Right-dragging is supported in 2xExplorer.
While left-dragging, the default operation depends on the drop location (e.g. whether the source/target folders are on the same device, whether the dropped file is an executable, etc).

While left-dragging, use the following keys to manually force a particular operation:

Modifier      Forced File Operation
Ctrl            Copy items
Shift            Move items
Ctrl+Shift      Create links (shortcuts) to items
Right button      Cancels the drag altogether (same as pressing Esc)
 
Note that both the active/inactive panes as well as the tree pane can be either drag sources or drop targets, and they all support drag scrolling, too.

2xExplorer is fully aware of shell shortcuts (links) to files and folders, and handles them correctly. For example, if you drag-drop some files on a folder shortcut, the files will be properly sent to the real target folder. Also the <Ctrl+L> FindTarget command is very useful for quickly locating the target item of any shortcut file.

I closely examined the file 2xExplorer.exe and the only apparently relevant calls to external resources are:

KERNEL32.dll - deals with copy and move instructions:
CopyFileA
MoveFileA

USER32.dll - deals with keyboard shortcuts:
TranslateAcceleratorA
LoadAcceleratorsA

ole32.dll - deals with draggging and dropping:
RegisterDragDrop
RevokeDragDrop
DoDragDrop

None of these should leave any residual effects on the computer BUT I was just running the program from within Windows.  I didn't choose to have it replace the Windows Explorer shell from boot, and there is a possibility that doing so might affect Windows Explorer if it was launched within that session.  I doubt this though.

I definitely cannot see any changes made to the following registry keys which MAY have somehow been related to the issue.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\Directory\shellex\DragDropHandlers

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\SO\MISC\DRAGDROP

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\SOIEAK\MISC\DRAGDROP

I hope that you can isolate this problem, because I have run out of ideas.

Bill

Thanks very much for all your effort Bill.
I now have 2 registries one good one bad, the temptation is to use it as is and forget about why it happens.
I'll keep you posted, your analysis above will certainly help to speed up the process.