[Gorgon]

I have followed the steps presented in the You Must Read This section...

I know this is a really low priority problem, but it's driving me crazy.

I am running Windows XP Home SP2. When I right-click on my desktop, then click on Properties, the Display Properties dialog box opens up, but it is missing several tabs. All I can now do from this dialog box is change Themes. I haven't added any theme packs or anything else so I'm at a loss to explain what I might have done.

I can work around this problem by going to Control Panel>Appearance & Themes but the fact that those other tabs are missing is strange. I don't know if it's related, but about two weeks ago I noticed that I had lost the right-click Send To context menu when viewing files in My Documents. I used the "REGSVR32 SENDMAIL" trick from the Run command line on the Start menu to get that back.

I've already tried the line 285 trick on the right hand panel of
http://www.kellys-ko...m/xp_tweaks.htm
but that hasn't worked. I've also run System Restore as far back as I could (which is only to the beginning of this year because I cleared out some restore points). So if anyone has an advice or suggestion, I'd be grateful. Thanks in advance!

Here's the Hijack This! log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:38:53 AM, on 1/18/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.comcast.net/home.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://us3.hpwis.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://us3.hpwis.com/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PS2] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\VSO\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcupdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OASClnt] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPFExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Chat - http://us.chat1.yimg...t/c381/chat.cab
O16 - DPF: {205FF73B-CA67-11D5-99DD-444553540006} (CInstall Class) -
O16 - DPF: {31E68DE2-5548-4B23-88F0-C51E6A0F695E} (Microsoft PID Sniffer) - https://support.micr...ActiveX/odc.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://download.mcaf...01/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://acs.pandasoft...free/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} (DwnldGroupMgr Class) - http://download.mcaf...,26/mcgdmgr.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - http://download.game...aploader_v6.cab
O23 - Service: McAfee WSC Integration (McDetect.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield (McShield) - McAfee Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Task Scheduler (McTskshd.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SecurityCenter Update Manager (mcupdmgr.exe) - McAfee, Inc - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Agent\mcupdmgr.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe

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Gordon,

Try this to see if your tabs come back.


Download smitRem.exe from one of these two locations and save the file to your desktop.
http://noahdfear.gee.../click.php?id=1
http://www.downloads...org/smitRem.exe
Double click on the file to extract it to it's own folder on the desktop.


Open the smitRem folder, then double click the RunThis.bat file to start the tool. Follow the prompts on screen. Your desktop and icons will disappear and then reappear again --- this is normal.
Wait for the tool to complete and Disk Cleanup to finish --- this may take a while; please be patient.

Reboot.

Then why not just run a scan to see if you have and bad files lurking. Kaspersky is a great online scanner:

Please do an online scan with Kaspersky WebScanner

Click on Kaspersky Online Scanner

You will be promted to install an ActiveX component from Kaspersky, Click Yes.

• The program will launch and then begin downloading the latest definition files:
• Once the files have been downloaded click on NEXT
  
• Now click on Scan Settings
• In the scan settings make sure that the following are selected:
  • Scan using the following Anti-Virus database:
  Extended (if available otherwise Standard)
  
  • Scan Options:
  Scan Archives
  Scan Mail Bases
• Click OK
• Now under select a target to scan:Select My Computer
• This program will start and scan your system.
• The scan will take a while so be patient and let it run.
• Once the scan is complete it will display if your system has been infected.
  • Now click on the Save as Text button:
• Save the file to your desktop.
• Copy and paste that information in your next post.

Let me know how the tabs are

LTP

[lovethepirk]

Gordon,

Try this to see if your tabs come back.


Download smitRem.exe from one of these two locations and save the file to your desktop.
http://noahdfear.gee.../click.php?id=1
http://www.downloads...org/smitRem.exe
Double click on the file to extract it to it's own folder on the desktop.


Open the smitRem folder, then double click the RunThis.bat file to start the tool. Follow the prompts on screen. Your desktop and icons will disappear and then reappear again --- this is normal.
Wait for the tool to complete and Disk Cleanup to finish --- this may take a while; please be patient.

Reboot.

Then why not just run a scan to see if you have and bad files lurking. Kaspersky is a great online scanner:

Please do an online scan with Kaspersky WebScanner

Click on Kaspersky Online Scanner

You will be promted to install an ActiveX component from Kaspersky, Click Yes.

• The program will launch and then begin downloading the latest definition files:
• Once the files have been downloaded click on NEXT
  
• Now click on Scan Settings
• In the scan settings make sure that the following are selected:
  • Scan using the following Anti-Virus database:
  Extended (if available otherwise Standard)
  
  • Scan Options:
  Scan Archives
  Scan Mail Bases
• Click OK
• Now under select a target to scan:Select My Computer
• This program will start and scan your system.
• The scan will take a while so be patient and let it run.
• Once the scan is complete it will display if your system has been infected.
  • Now click on the Save as Text button:
• Save the file to your desktop.
• Copy and paste that information in your next post.

Let me know how the tabs are

LTP

[Gorgon]

Ok, I performed both tasks. When I used smitRem, there was a black window that popped open for a split second, followed by nothing. No disc activity, no prompts, no disappearing desktop or icons. I'm thinking something didn't go right with that

Then I let the Kaspersky Online Scanner have a go at it, following the instructions you provided and here are the results:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KASPERSKY ON-LINE SCANNER REPORT
Sunday, January 22, 2006 17:30:08
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 2 (Build 2600)
Kaspersky On-line Scanner version: 5.0.67.0
Kaspersky Anti-Virus database last update: 22/01/2006
Kaspersky Anti-Virus database records: 172512
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scan Settings:
Scan using the following antivirus database: extended
Scan Archives: true
Scan Mail Bases: true

Scan Target - My Computer:
A:\
C:\
D:\
E:\
F:\

Scan Statistics:
Total number of scanned objects: 110243
Number of viruses found: 1
Number of infected objects: 1
Number of suspicious objects: 0
Duration of the scan process: 5836 sec

Infected Object Name - Virus Name
C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\popcaploader.dll Infected: not-a-virus:Downloader.Win32.PopCap.b

Scan process completed.

The tabs are sill MIA

[lovethepirk]

Gordon,

You are actually pretty clean which is good news

Navigate to this file and delete it:
C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files\popcaploader.dll

Instructions: Copy and paste the quoted text into a text editor such as Notepad.
Save this text as Fixme.reg. Make sure the "Save as type:" is "All Files (*.*)" and save it to your desktop.
Double-click on Fixme.reg. When it asks you to merge the information to the registry click Yes.

REGEDIT4

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop]
"NoChangingWallPaper"=-
"NoAddingComponents"=-
"NoComponents"=-
"NoDeletingComponents"=-
"NoEditingComponents"=-
"NoCloseDragDropBands"=-
"NoMovingBands"=-
"NoHTMLWallPaper"=-

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoActiveDesktopChanges"=-
"NoActiveDesktop"=-
"NoSaveSettings"=-
"ClassicShell"=-
"NoThemesTab"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoActiveDesktopChanges"=-

Reboot and post another HJT log and tell me how things are with the tabs.

Regards,

LTP

[Gorgon]

Ok, I followed your steps and rebooted, then checked for the tabs. They still weren't there

Here's my Hijack This log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 6:16:58 PM, on 1/23/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RunDLL32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.comcast.net/home.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://us3.hpwis.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://us3.hpwis.com/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PS2] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RunDLL32.exe NvMCTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\McUpdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\VSO\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OASClnt] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPFExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Chat - http://us.chat1.yimg...t/c381/chat.cab
O16 - DPF: {0EB0E74A-2A76-4AB3-A7FB-9BD8C29F7F75} (CKAVWebScan Object) - http://www.kaspersky...can_unicode.cab
O16 - DPF: {31E68DE2-5548-4B23-88F0-C51E6A0F695E} (Microsoft PID Sniffer) - https://support.micr...ActiveX/odc.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://download.mcaf...01/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://acs.pandasoft...free/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} (DwnldGroupMgr Class) - http://download.mcaf...,26/mcgdmgr.cab
O23 - Service: McAfee WSC Integration (McDetect.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield (McShield) - McAfee Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Task Scheduler (McTskshd.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SecurityCenter Update Manager (mcupdmgr.exe) - McAfee, Inc - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Agent\mcupdmgr.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe

It's the fact that the tabs are missing that's motivating me to get them back. In Safe Mode they show up, but not when I boot normally. Go figure

[lovethepirk]

Gordon,

This will give us a look at something in the registry that could be causing this problem.


Please click start > run > then copy and paste this into the box:
regedit /e C:\policies.txt "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies"

Navigate to this file C:\policies.txt and copy the contents of it in your next post.


LTP

[Gorgon]

Following your instructions, here are the contents of C:\policies.txt:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\ActiveDesktop]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:00000091

Now that that's out of the way, I have to tell you about this new development. I was looking at the Display Properties dialog box today and just for fun I decided to click on the top of the window, where the tabs should be (yes, I have a weird sense of fun).

To my surprise, the box responded as if I had hit a tab. That is to say, the Dialog Box changed from Themes to Background.

Then I tried clicking across the entire dialog box, and I found that if I tried clicking over and over in that small area I first hit, I was able to change the dialog box to correspond to the tabs for Themes, Background, Screen saver, Display, and Effects.

If I remember correctly, that's everything you could do from the Display Properties window. Since they were all accessible, this suggests that functionality is there but maybe it's the screen layout or the user interface that has the problem? Is this a clue?

[lovethepirk]

Gordon,

I have posted a question about your case on the forum for others to look at. Glad to hear you at least have some functionality We will try to get to the bottom of this for you.

Regards,

LTP

[lovethepirk]

Gordon,

We need to check for a file that could be missing then run a command.

First we need to un-hide hidden files/folders...

To make sure you can see all hidden files, please follow these directions:
Windows XP

• Click Start.
  
• Open My Computer.
  
• Select the Tools menu and click Folder Options.
  
• Select the View Tab.
  
• Under the Hidden files and folders heading select Show hidden files and folders.
  
• Uncheck the Hide protected operating system files (recommended) option.
  
• Click Yes to confirm.
  
• Click OK.

Then please navigate to this file and see if it is still on your computer. All I need you to do is check to see if you have this file:
C:\Windows\WindowsShell.Manifest


Then please try this for me...

Please go to Start -> Run -> cmd and press Enter. At the command prompt type sfc /scannow, making sure to put a space between the "c" and the slash, and then press Enter. This will run the System File Checker. Follow the prompts, and insert your Windows installation CD if requested. Then please restart your computer.

Let me know if your tabs are back and if you found that file


LTP

Edited by lovethepirk, 25 January 2006 - 08:14 PM.

[Gorgon]

Ok, I searched for C:\Windows\WindowsShell.Manifest with the hidden files/folders option adjusted as you instructed, and I could not find any such file in the Windows directory.

Then I tried the Start>Run>cmd, and here's what happened:

A Command prompt window opened that displayed the following:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
<C> Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>

So at the prompt, I typed sfc /scannow, and this is what I got:

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
<C> Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>sfc /scannow
'sfc' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program, or batch file.

C:\Documents and Settings\Owner>

I have run sfc /scannow before from Start>Run without using cmd, so I know I can run that program. Would you like me to do that now?

[lovethepirk]

Yes please try running it from the Start > Run...Let me know how it works and I will ask what to do about that missing file I asked you to look for.


Talk to you later...

LTP

[Gorgon]

OK, just a quick update...I ran Start>Run>sfc /scannow and rebooted, then checked for the tabs. They weren't there

[lovethepirk]

Gordon,

I think we can get those tabs back by getting that C:\Windows\WindowsShell.Manifest
file back on your computer...let me check with our experts to see what is the best way to get this file to you

I removed mine and my tabs dissapeared

LTP

[Gorgon]

Gordon,

I think we can get those tabs back by getting that C:\Windows\WindowsShell.Manifest
file back on your computer...let me check with our experts to see what is the best way to get this file to you

I removed mine and my tabs dissapeared

LTP

Ahhhh....great Finally a potential solution!

[lovethepirk]

Okay we need to do two things here. First we need to get a file I have attached into one of your directories then we need to try something to see if there is further corruption we need to fix.

First,

Download the attachment I included in this post to a convienient location, like the desktop.
Right click the Manifest.zip folder and choose Extract All.
Open up the Manifest folder.
Also open up the c:\Windows folder by rigth clicking the "start" button > choose Explore > then navigate to it.
You should have two folders open now the Manifest folder and the C:\Windows folder.
Then drag WindowsShell.Manifest into the C:\Windows folder.
Then test your tabs They should be working now!

Now we need to try to run a command from the command prompt...
Go to Start > Run > Type this in cmd
A command window should open up:
Type this in exactly:
C:\Windows\system32\sfc.exe /scannow

Let me know what the results are. If something begins to run automatically you can stop it, but if there is a problem please let me know. We are thinking there might be a problem here.



Talk to you soon,

LTP

Edited by lovethepirk, 29 January 2006 - 11:15 AM.