gardanzo
asked on
Explorer: invisible files!
When accessing Explorer, the folder items on the left look fine, but the right pane that should display the files within each folder is blank.
The files are there. Programs are running fine. The files are accessable in other ways, such as by using "find" or when browsing files within a program.
I have a 2 year-old installation of Win95, including a few service pack updates, and I didn't have this problem until I ran McAffee's PC Medic 97 program. It suppossedly resolved missing DLLs, OLE objects, file associations, etc. I've probably deleted something that needs to be restored.
The files are there. Programs are running fine. The files are accessable in other ways, such as by using "find" or when browsing files within a program.
I have a 2 year-old installation of Win95, including a few service pack updates, and I didn't have this problem until I ran McAffee's PC Medic 97 program. It suppossedly resolved missing DLLs, OLE objects, file associations, etc. I've probably deleted something that needs to be restored.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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ASKER
Well, I backed up my important files as you suggested, and performed the Win95 reinstall. It didn't solve the problem. The files were still not displaying in "detail" view. There were other problems with the reinstall, such as missing drivers, so I've reinstalled the backup and I'm now back where I started.
I'm really looking for the specific fix to this problem, rather than another reinstall.
I'm really looking for the specific fix to this problem, rather than another reinstall.
Under Explorer what do you get in the View, Options section? Simple as it may sound the virus program could have changed your viewing options for Explorer. Make sure you hide nothing and check view in right and left pannels.
ASKER
I've checked the view options and they were properly set. Nothing is hidden and right and left panels is checked. The problem persists.
OK, Again, backup your registry, then we re-establish your
"Explorer shell inf (inf=information file)
=======
Change the "(Default)" value in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.inf
registry key to "inffile" (without the
quotation marks). Restart your computer for this change to
take effect.
Restore the standard shell commands. To do so, click the
Start button, click Run, type the
following line in the Open box, and then click OK:
rundll setupx.dll,InstallHinfSect
c:\windows\inf\shell.inf
NOTE: Type the above line as one long line. If you installed
Windows 95 in a folder other than the Windows
folder, adjust the command accordingly.
After hard disk activity stops, restart Windows 95.
1. Start Windows Explorer.
2. On the View menu, click Options, and then click the File
Types tab.
3. In the Registered File Types box, click Setup Information,
and then
click Edit.
4. Click New, type Install in the Action box, and then type the
following line in the Application Used To Perform Action box:
c:\windows\rundll.exe setupx.dll,InstallHinfSect
DefaultInstall 132
NOTE: Type the above line as one long line. If you installed
Windows 95 in a folder other than the Windows folder, adjust the
command accordingly.
5. Click OK Until you return to Windows Explorer.
==================
Be sure your run a thourough scandisk and defrag.
If the event that your Explorer.exe has become corrupted do the following.
======COMPLETELY SAFE!!!
When Explorer starts acting wacky, Shutdoun, boot to dos, Change Directories to Windows, rename explorer.exe explorer.old. Then extract a new, fresh copy of Explorer.exe.
To extract from CD, 1st CD to the E:\WIN95 prompt, (Where E is your CDROM drive letter) then type the following:
EXTRACT /A /L C:\Windows WIN95_02.CAB EXPLORER.EXE
"Explorer shell inf (inf=information file)
=======
Change the "(Default)" value in the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.inf
registry key to "inffile" (without the
quotation marks). Restart your computer for this change to
take effect.
Restore the standard shell commands. To do so, click the
Start button, click Run, type the
following line in the Open box, and then click OK:
rundll setupx.dll,InstallHinfSect
c:\windows\inf\shell.inf
NOTE: Type the above line as one long line. If you installed
Windows 95 in a folder other than the Windows
folder, adjust the command accordingly.
After hard disk activity stops, restart Windows 95.
1. Start Windows Explorer.
2. On the View menu, click Options, and then click the File
Types tab.
3. In the Registered File Types box, click Setup Information,
and then
click Edit.
4. Click New, type Install in the Action box, and then type the
following line in the Application Used To Perform Action box:
c:\windows\rundll.exe setupx.dll,InstallHinfSect
DefaultInstall 132
NOTE: Type the above line as one long line. If you installed
Windows 95 in a folder other than the Windows folder, adjust the
command accordingly.
5. Click OK Until you return to Windows Explorer.
==================
Be sure your run a thourough scandisk and defrag.
If the event that your Explorer.exe has become corrupted do the following.
======COMPLETELY SAFE!!!
When Explorer starts acting wacky, Shutdoun, boot to dos, Change Directories to Windows, rename explorer.exe explorer.old. Then extract a new, fresh copy of Explorer.exe.
To extract from CD, 1st CD to the E:\WIN95 prompt, (Where E is your CDROM drive letter) then type the following:
EXTRACT /A /L C:\Windows WIN95_02.CAB EXPLORER.EXE
ASKER
No luck! Let's review what I've done so far:
1. reinstalled win95 using the /f and p parameter
2. reestablished the Explorer shell
3. reloaded explorer.exe
Still, the right pane, but in "detail" view only, is blank.
1. reinstalled win95 using the /f and p parameter
2. reestablished the Explorer shell
3. reloaded explorer.exe
Still, the right pane, but in "detail" view only, is blank.
here's a answer from that forum,
let me know if they help. We will kick this problems butt yet!!!
-------I've posted your question and am *supposed to be notified when someone responds. A tech that it.
------
The install problems that you had may be involved, but you
may also find that PCMedic installed an older version of a
DLL that an application previously installed on your computer.
With the DLL files that you are receiving error messages on,
check to see if you have newer versions in the
windows\system\sysbckup directory - you should be able to put
the newer files in the windows\system directory.
--------
let me know if they help. We will kick this problems butt yet!!!
-------I've posted your question and am *supposed to be notified when someone responds. A tech that it.
------
The install problems that you had may be involved, but you
may also find that PCMedic installed an older version of a
DLL that an application previously installed on your computer.
With the DLL files that you are receiving error messages on,
check to see if you have newer versions in the
windows\system\sysbckup directory - you should be able to put
the newer files in the windows\system directory.
--------
ASKER
Thanks for your continuing help.
The right pane isn't greyed out, and I'm not getting dll error messages.
I'll try to describe the problem better. In "list" view, which works properly, the right pane shows a list of folders and files that you scroll horizontally to see all of them.
In "detail" view the right pane shows a medium grey horizonal bar at the top, about the size of a title bar, and the remainder of the pane is blank, i.e. white space. Here's a curious item. If there are more than 1 page of files, the vertical scroll bar appears, allowing you to scroll down through the blank pages.
It's possible that the first column in detail view has set itself to be so large that it goes off the screen to the right. Since the column break isn't visible, I can't grab it to resize it.
The right pane isn't greyed out, and I'm not getting dll error messages.
I'll try to describe the problem better. In "list" view, which works properly, the right pane shows a list of folders and files that you scroll horizontally to see all of them.
In "detail" view the right pane shows a medium grey horizonal bar at the top, about the size of a title bar, and the remainder of the pane is blank, i.e. white space. Here's a curious item. If there are more than 1 page of files, the vertical scroll bar appears, allowing you to scroll down through the blank pages.
It's possible that the first column in detail view has set itself to be so large that it goes off the screen to the right. Since the column break isn't visible, I can't grab it to resize it.
I'll be back after breakfast. meantime you said:
"Let's review what I've done so far:
1. reinstalled win95 using the /f and p parameter"
Did you type setup /p f
that's the exact syntax not /f p
That's very important to the setup process.
------------
Will you temporarily uninstall McAffee's PC Medic 97 program then run the setup /p f
and don't forget to pick cutom setuo when it prompts you..
"Let's review what I've done so far:
1. reinstalled win95 using the /f and p parameter"
Did you type setup /p f
that's the exact syntax not /f p
That's very important to the setup process.
------------
Will you temporarily uninstall McAffee's PC Medic 97 program then run the setup /p f
and don't forget to pick cutom setuo when it prompts you..
gardanzo,
I tried to post at mcafee, When you sign on for notification of an answer you must provide information about your system that I don't have, so I really believe that you should try that. As I read thru the Q@A I became convinced that the PC medic 97 may indeed be your problem.
How about taking a screenshot of your explorer, making a .bmp, zip it and send it to me so I can see exactly what we are trying to solve.
Send it to smeebud@gte.net
-----
Also, your desciption of your screen leads me to think that you could possibly change you Resolution and be able to grab the edges and resize. For instance if your resolution is 640X480 change it to 800X600. I've recently found that screen resolutions effect much, much more than simply changing the size of a screen.
1 example is that if you have 640X480 you can have 21 Hotkeys, if you move to 800X600 the limit moves up to 34. There's too many examples to even try to put them here.
Eagerly Awaiting your responce.
-----------From mcafee
Topic: 8a. PCMedic: a. PCMedic Installation Questions
From: Nathan@McAfee , Posted: 8/9/97 10:44:17
PcMedics uninstall shield removes all PcMedic related
files and componets from the computer.
McAfee Online Support
I tried to post at mcafee, When you sign on for notification of an answer you must provide information about your system that I don't have, so I really believe that you should try that. As I read thru the Q@A I became convinced that the PC medic 97 may indeed be your problem.
How about taking a screenshot of your explorer, making a .bmp, zip it and send it to me so I can see exactly what we are trying to solve.
Send it to smeebud@gte.net
-----
Also, your desciption of your screen leads me to think that you could possibly change you Resolution and be able to grab the edges and resize. For instance if your resolution is 640X480 change it to 800X600. I've recently found that screen resolutions effect much, much more than simply changing the size of a screen.
1 example is that if you have 640X480 you can have 21 Hotkeys, if you move to 800X600 the limit moves up to 34. There's too many examples to even try to put them here.
Eagerly Awaiting your responce.
-----------From mcafee
Topic: 8a. PCMedic: a. PCMedic Installation Questions
From: Nathan@McAfee , Posted: 8/9/97 10:44:17
PcMedics uninstall shield removes all PcMedic related
files and componets from the computer.
McAfee Online Support
You said,"Let's review what I've done so far:
1. reinstalled win95 using the /f and p parameter".
The correct syntax would be setup /p f
if that's not how you did it please do it again, only this time remove PC Medic from you system 1st.
----
-----------From mcafee
Topic: 8a. PCMedic: a. PCMedic Installation Questions
From: Nathan@McAfee , Posted: 8/9/97 10:44:17
PcMedics uninstall shield removes all PcMedic related
files and componets from the computer.
McAfee Online Support
1. reinstalled win95 using the /f and p parameter".
The correct syntax would be setup /p f
if that's not how you did it please do it again, only this time remove PC Medic from you system 1st.
----
-----------From mcafee
Topic: 8a. PCMedic: a. PCMedic Installation Questions
From: Nathan@McAfee , Posted: 8/9/97 10:44:17
PcMedics uninstall shield removes all PcMedic related
files and componets from the computer.
McAfee Online Support
You said,"Let's review what I've done so far:
1. reinstalled win95 using the /f and p parameter".
The correct syntax would be setup /p f
if that's not how you did it please do it again, only this time remove PC Medic from you system 1st.
----
-----------From mcafee
Topic: 8a. PCMedic: a. PCMedic Installation Questions
From: Nathan@McAfee , Posted: 8/9/97 10:44:17
PcMedics uninstall shield removes all PcMedic related
files and componets from the computer.
McAfee Online Support
1. reinstalled win95 using the /f and p parameter".
The correct syntax would be setup /p f
if that's not how you did it please do it again, only this time remove PC Medic from you system 1st.
----
-----------From mcafee
Topic: 8a. PCMedic: a. PCMedic Installation Questions
From: Nathan@McAfee , Posted: 8/9/97 10:44:17
PcMedics uninstall shield removes all PcMedic related
files and componets from the computer.
McAfee Online Support
You said,"Let's review what I've done so far:
1. reinstalled win95 using the /f and p parameter".
The correct syntax would be setup /p f
if that's not how you did it please do it again, only this time remove PC Medic from you system 1st.
----
-----------From mcafee
Topic: 8a. PCMedic: a. PCMedic Installation Questions
From: Nathan@McAfee , Posted: 8/9/97 10:44:17
PcMedics uninstall shield removes all PcMedic related
files and componets from the computer.
McAfee Online Support
1. reinstalled win95 using the /f and p parameter".
The correct syntax would be setup /p f
if that's not how you did it please do it again, only this time remove PC Medic from you system 1st.
----
-----------From mcafee
Topic: 8a. PCMedic: a. PCMedic Installation Questions
From: Nathan@McAfee , Posted: 8/9/97 10:44:17
PcMedics uninstall shield removes all PcMedic related
files and componets from the computer.
McAfee Online Support
ASKER
Oops; I meant "/f p"
I rebooted to msdos mode, changed to my CD's directory, and typed setup /f p
I picked custom install and went through it step by step. I have some legacy hardware, so I skipped the hardware setup. The process to about 45 minutes. In the end, the hardware still wasn't right (missing drivers, etc.) but for the most part I had a functional Win95 desktop. I tried explorer, but had the same problem (right pane blank in detail view). I then restored my old system from the backup.
I'm going to uninstall PC Medic and see what that does.
I rebooted to msdos mode, changed to my CD's directory, and typed setup /f p
I picked custom install and went through it step by step. I have some legacy hardware, so I skipped the hardware setup. The process to about 45 minutes. In the end, the hardware still wasn't right (missing drivers, etc.) but for the most part I had a functional Win95 desktop. I tried explorer, but had the same problem (right pane blank in detail view). I then restored my old system from the backup.
I'm going to uninstall PC Medic and see what that does.
ASKER
Aghhh - I meant "/p f"
I don't why I'm having such a hard time with that.
I see Experts Exchange is having system problems!
I don't why I'm having such a hard time with that.
I see Experts Exchange is having system problems!
Yea, it somehow rejected me so I hade to answer again.
Don't forget to send me s printscreen to .bmp to.zip of your explorer.
Address is up yonder.
The EE board is acting a little crazy.
Don't forget to send me s printscreen to .bmp to.zip of your explorer.
Address is up yonder.
The EE board is acting a little crazy.
gardanzo,
How are you doing. Is your problem fixed. Have not heard from your.
How are you doing. Is your problem fixed. Have not heard from your.
ASKER
Thanks for the follow up. I've got a new computer coming this week, so I'll get a fresh installation at that time.
I'm going to grade this and close it out. There's a lot of good advice here for someone else with a similar problem. I certainly got my points worth!
I'm going to grade this and close it out. There's a lot of good advice here for someone else with a similar problem. I certainly got my points worth!
I like your attitude.
Thanks and it's been a pleasure with you.
Good Luck with your new system. Wanna tell me what you got.
Did Ya go for the speed:))
Thanks and it's been a pleasure with you.
Good Luck with your new system. Wanna tell me what you got.
Did Ya go for the speed:))
ASKER