[SOLVED] problem with desktop display properties - Page 4

WaxhawRon · 07-21-2008, 07:07 PM

A new identity gives me desktop icons with transparent background behind the titles.

I have transfered my files, set up my desktop shortcuts, but have a couple of questions:

1. How can I transfer my Outlook Express's Local Folders? I have some special folders for holding specific e-mails, but would like to transfer my inbox and sent items also.

2. How can I transfer my many bookmarks from Firefox and from IE?

Pleae advise. Thank you very much for the idea to do this. It is working if I can just take care of these last details. Then I can delete my old identity and all will be copasetic in WaxhawRon-ville.

**Coolfreak** · 07-21-2008, 07:38 PM

Well, with Outlook Express, couldn't you just backup all of it, and then just import it in the new user? I never really used OE, so I couldn't tell you.

With Firefox -- I have Firefox 3, so if you have the older versions, I'm not sure its still the same, but with FF 3, you can go Bookmarks > Organize Bookmarks > Import and Backup > Export HTML.

Then just transfer that HTML file to the new user, and import it

As for IE, I'm not sure. Probably the same way, just a little different.

Big X · 07-21-2008, 07:48 PM

Yea I dont have outlook express installed either. But you will definaltly be able to export you setting and re import them. Just stick import export in the help section.

Big X · 07-21-2008, 08:29 PM

I just had a quick look at outlook express then. So I lied. I have it I don't use it though. If you go to file then export there is the option for exporting your address book and your messages. That should cover what you need. Im guessing that when you import the messages back it will create the folders for you.

**Coolfreak** · 07-22-2008, 05:36 AM

Thanks Big X for verifying that

WaxHawRon, let us know

-Coolfreak

WaxhawRon · 07-22-2008, 10:09 AM

I use Firefox 3.0 also, and used their sync bookmarks addon to bring over all of my bookmarks to the new identity. (I use this to sync bookmarks with my laptop.) (FYI, their Interclue addon is fantastic. Don't even have to open sites to see what's in them!) For IE, I only have a few bookmarks for those few sites that will not work with Firefox. I can manually transfer these, no big deal.

But I cannot seem to get my OE folders to the new OE. Export just exports to Microsoft Exchange, or Microsoft Outlook, neither of which I use--or know how to use. I tried to move individual e-mails to a folder in the new identity, but that doesn't work. I can export my address book to a flash drive and then import them in the new identity--this I know how to do. I just don't know how to move the folders and the e-mails that are in them.

C'mon guys. There's got to be a way to move my OE folders to the new identity so I can close out the old identity and be done with this stupid problem. I don't have Microsoft Exchange software, but if you can walk me through how to transfer into Outlook and then Export the Outlook to the new identity and then transfer from Outlook into OE--I'm game to try.

Thanks very much.

**Coolfreak** · 07-22-2008, 10:54 AM

I'm not sure if this still applies to the newer Outlook Expresses, but see if this article helps.

http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_move_my_...w_machine.html

WaxhawRon · 07-22-2008, 03:11 PM

Well, the article looked good. I was just getting ready to load my OE files onto a compact flash card when the card readed stopped working. So I spent a few hours on the phone--AGAIN--with Dell. After doing a system restore, which, of course wiped out all I had done to set up the new identity, they tried a few other things and determined that I have to do a PC Restore. #%&*# I just did this less than 2 months ago, and it turned out to be unnecessary. At that time I was having trouble setting up my home network, and after doing the system restore it turned out to be just my Zone Alarm needing some adjusting. I spoke with one of their Executive Support Resolvers in their Consumer Resolution Center in Austin, and he said to contact him if I had problems again in the future. So I have a call into him. As a result of this #$%^& I am putting everything on hold until I talk with him and get the problem of the malfunctioning card reader resolved. I'll be back in touch.

Big X · 07-22-2008, 04:26 PM

Cant you just export what you need to C:\ drive then log onto the new account and import it from there. If you export things into my documents you cant get into them because of security reasons. But if you say create a folder on C:\ called C:\importexport anything you put in there you should be able to get at from either account.

Also I noticed in outlook express there is under File Identities. I think there you can bring in your old identity and access all the email and folders. Don't take my word for it because I cant double check it seeing I don't have multiple identities you'll just have to test that one out.

WaxhawRon · 07-22-2008, 05:44 PM

Coolfreak's lead looks like it should work: "On the old machine, the easiest way to locate Outlook Express' email store is to ask Outlook Express. Fire it up, and then in Tools, Options, on the Maintenance tab there's a button labeled Store Folder. Click that and it will tell you the folder containing your email folder.

Copy the entire contents of that directory to a floppy, CD-ROM, or share on your network."

I was just getting ready to do this and copy it onto a compact flash card when the drive died and now Dell is advising to do a PC restore. If this works, I can still copy the e-mail folders to a flash drive. Exporting my address book to the flash drive is easy and I know it works.

I just have to wait until I talk to a senior technician in Austin as opposed to someone in India to be sure that this is the only solution to the damaged drive. A PC restore is a major pain in the butt.

The Dell senior tech is supposed to call me tomorrow, so everything is on hold until then.

Thanks for all your effort. I appreciate it very much.

**Coolfreak** · 07-22-2008, 06:26 PM

Alright man, definitely keep us updated

-Coolfreak

WaxhawRon · 07-22-2008, 07:24 PM

next time I'm buying a Mac. I can see why Dell is having such trouble.

WaxhawRon · 07-23-2008, 10:45 AM

Hi Coolfreak,

Could there be any connection between my always active desktop and the fact that my compact flash card (E) drive does not work properly? The reason Dell wants me to do a PC Restore is because they think that some software is blocking (or something) the software that runs the drive. Could they have actually stumbled onto something here?

**Coolfreak** · 07-23-2008, 10:55 AM

I can't see why the active desktop would conflict with the E drive.

Also, I'm not exactly sure what this compact flash card is. Is it like a flash drive? Can you please explain more in detail what it is. This will help me more.

Thanks

-Coolfreak

WaxhawRon · 07-23-2008, 11:18 AM

It's the card from a digital camera. About 4.2 cm wide x 3.6 deep. The front of the Dell E520 has a bunch of slots for various cards like these. They hold pictures, but they can also hold data. I have a 64 MB card and a 1G card, easy ways to transfer data. The slot that it goes into is the E drive on this particular computer.

The Dell tech seemed to think that some sort of software was interfering with the software to run the drive, which is why he wants me to do a PC Restore. I insist that it's defective hardware that should be replaced, but this is what I'm arguing up the ladder with Dell. I've reached their Austin support supervisors, and maybe they will know better what is wrong. You know, I've had computers since the 386 days, and I never had to do a PC Restore until I bought a Dell. this makes twice in two months. An d the first time turned out to be unnecessary, as the PC Restore did not fix the problem, my nieghbor did, in less than 5 minutes. But he is stumped by the opaque boxes problem. The idea of setting up a new identity was going to work, but the E drive doesn't work properly on my wife's identity either. So I want to resolve this problem before going back to the opaque titles problem as if I end up doing a PC Restore, I'm essentially going to be setting up a new identity anyway.

**Coolfreak** · 07-23-2008, 11:28 AM

I wonder if you could go into the Device Manager, uninstall the E drive, and then reboot the computer and let Windows automatically re-install the drive, and that would fix it.

WaxhawRon · 07-23-2008, 11:40 AM

One of the things we did yesterday was to go into device manager. On the first use of the E drive after booting the computer, the E drive is listed, along with the other 3 drives for reading various cards. But as soon as I hit the remove hardware icon, a yellow circle with a black exclamation point comes up next to USB Mass Storage Device, which is what the card reader is. And it does not work again until the computer is re-booted. We did not, however, try uninstalling the USB Mass Storage Device as you suggest. If I uninstall will Windows automatically re-install it? I'm game to try if you think windows will do this. Please advise. Thank you very much.

07-21-2008, 07:07 PM	#61 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties A new identity gives me desktop icons with transparent background behind the titles. I have transfered my files, set up my desktop shortcuts, but have a couple of questions: 1. How can I transfer my Outlook Express's Local Folders? I have some special folders for holding specific e-mails, but would like to transfer my inbox and sent items also. 2. How can I transfer my many bookmarks from Firefox and from IE? Pleae advise. Thank you very much for the idea to do this. It is working if I can just take care of these last details. Then I can delete my old identity and all will be copasetic in WaxhawRon-ville.

07-21-2008, 07:38 PM	#62 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 998 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties Well, with Outlook Express, couldn't you just backup all of it, and then just import it in the new user? I never really used OE, so I couldn't tell you. With Firefox -- I have Firefox 3, so if you have the older versions, I'm not sure its still the same, but with FF 3, you can go Bookmarks > Organize Bookmarks > Import and Backup > Export HTML. Then just transfer that HTML file to the new user, and import it As for IE, I'm not sure. Probably the same way, just a little different. __________________ I subscribe to all threads I post in. But, if in case I don't or I forget, and I don't post back within 24 hours, please PM me. I will get back to your thread ASAP. #5 Texas Longhorns #5 Texas Longhorns 5-0 Everest ~ DBAN ~ UBCD4WIN ~ SpeedFan

07-21-2008, 07:48 PM	#63 (permalink)
Big X Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 32 OS: XP Home SP3, Vista Ultimate 64 Bit SP1, Vista 32 Bit Ultimate	Re: problem with desktop display properties Yea I dont have outlook express installed either. But you will definaltly be able to export you setting and re import them. Just stick import export in the help section.

07-21-2008, 08:29 PM	#64 (permalink)
Big X Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 32 OS: XP Home SP3, Vista Ultimate 64 Bit SP1, Vista 32 Bit Ultimate	Re: problem with desktop display properties I just had a quick look at outlook express then. So I lied. I have it I don't use it though. If you go to file then export there is the option for exporting your address book and your messages. That should cover what you need. Im guessing that when you import the messages back it will create the folders for you.

07-22-2008, 05:36 AM	#65 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 998 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties Thanks Big X for verifying that WaxHawRon, let us know -Coolfreak __________________ I subscribe to all threads I post in. But, if in case I don't or I forget, and I don't post back within 24 hours, please PM me. I will get back to your thread ASAP. #5 Texas Longhorns #5 Texas Longhorns 5-0 Everest ~ DBAN ~ UBCD4WIN ~ SpeedFan

07-22-2008, 10:09 AM	#66 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties I use Firefox 3.0 also, and used their sync bookmarks addon to bring over all of my bookmarks to the new identity. (I use this to sync bookmarks with my laptop.) (FYI, their Interclue addon is fantastic. Don't even have to open sites to see what's in them!) For IE, I only have a few bookmarks for those few sites that will not work with Firefox. I can manually transfer these, no big deal. But I cannot seem to get my OE folders to the new OE. Export just exports to Microsoft Exchange, or Microsoft Outlook, neither of which I use--or know how to use. I tried to move individual e-mails to a folder in the new identity, but that doesn't work. I can export my address book to a flash drive and then import them in the new identity--this I know how to do. I just don't know how to move the folders and the e-mails that are in them. C'mon guys. There's got to be a way to move my OE folders to the new identity so I can close out the old identity and be done with this stupid problem. I don't have Microsoft Exchange software, but if you can walk me through how to transfer into Outlook and then Export the Outlook to the new identity and then transfer from Outlook into OE--I'm game to try. Thanks very much. Last edited by WaxhawRon : 07-22-2008 at 10:11 AM. Reason: add info about address book transfer

07-22-2008, 10:54 AM	#67 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 998 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties I'm not sure if this still applies to the newer Outlook Expresses, but see if this article helps. http://ask-leo.com/how_do_i_move_my_...w_machine.html __________________ I subscribe to all threads I post in. But, if in case I don't or I forget, and I don't post back within 24 hours, please PM me. I will get back to your thread ASAP. #5 Texas Longhorns #5 Texas Longhorns 5-0 Everest ~ DBAN ~ UBCD4WIN ~ SpeedFan

07-22-2008, 03:11 PM	#68 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties Well, the article looked good. I was just getting ready to load my OE files onto a compact flash card when the card readed stopped working. So I spent a few hours on the phone--AGAIN--with Dell. After doing a system restore, which, of course wiped out all I had done to set up the new identity, they tried a few other things and determined that I have to do a PC Restore. #%&*# I just did this less than 2 months ago, and it turned out to be unnecessary. At that time I was having trouble setting up my home network, and after doing the system restore it turned out to be just my Zone Alarm needing some adjusting. I spoke with one of their Executive Support Resolvers in their Consumer Resolution Center in Austin, and he said to contact him if I had problems again in the future. So I have a call into him. As a result of this #$%^& I am putting everything on hold until I talk with him and get the problem of the malfunctioning card reader resolved. I'll be back in touch.

07-22-2008, 04:26 PM	#69 (permalink)
Big X Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 32 OS: XP Home SP3, Vista Ultimate 64 Bit SP1, Vista 32 Bit Ultimate	Re: problem with desktop display properties Cant you just export what you need to C:\ drive then log onto the new account and import it from there. If you export things into my documents you cant get into them because of security reasons. But if you say create a folder on C:\ called C:\importexport anything you put in there you should be able to get at from either account. Also I noticed in outlook express there is under File Identities. I think there you can bring in your old identity and access all the email and folders. Don't take my word for it because I cant double check it seeing I don't have multiple identities you'll just have to test that one out.

07-22-2008, 05:44 PM	#70 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties Coolfreak's lead looks like it should work: "On the old machine, the easiest way to locate Outlook Express' email store is to ask Outlook Express. Fire it up, and then in Tools, Options, on the Maintenance tab there's a button labeled Store Folder. Click that and it will tell you the folder containing your email folder. Copy the entire contents of that directory to a floppy, CD-ROM, or share on your network." I was just getting ready to do this and copy it onto a compact flash card when the drive died and now Dell is advising to do a PC restore. If this works, I can still copy the e-mail folders to a flash drive. Exporting my address book to the flash drive is easy and I know it works. I just have to wait until I talk to a senior technician in Austin as opposed to someone in India to be sure that this is the only solution to the damaged drive. A PC restore is a major pain in the butt. The Dell senior tech is supposed to call me tomorrow, so everything is on hold until then. Thanks for all your effort. I appreciate it very much.

07-22-2008, 06:26 PM	#71 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 998 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties Alright man, definitely keep us updated -Coolfreak __________________ I subscribe to all threads I post in. But, if in case I don't or I forget, and I don't post back within 24 hours, please PM me. I will get back to your thread ASAP. #5 Texas Longhorns #5 Texas Longhorns 5-0 Everest ~ DBAN ~ UBCD4WIN ~ SpeedFan

07-22-2008, 07:24 PM	#72 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties next time I'm buying a Mac. I can see why Dell is having such trouble.

07-23-2008, 10:45 AM	#73 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties Hi Coolfreak, Could there be any connection between my always active desktop and the fact that my compact flash card (E) drive does not work properly? The reason Dell wants me to do a PC Restore is because they think that some software is blocking (or something) the software that runs the drive. Could they have actually stumbled onto something here?

07-23-2008, 10:55 AM	#74 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 998 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties I can't see why the active desktop would conflict with the E drive. Also, I'm not exactly sure what this compact flash card is. Is it like a flash drive? Can you please explain more in detail what it is. This will help me more. Thanks -Coolfreak __________________ I subscribe to all threads I post in. But, if in case I don't or I forget, and I don't post back within 24 hours, please PM me. I will get back to your thread ASAP. #5 Texas Longhorns #5 Texas Longhorns 5-0 Everest ~ DBAN ~ UBCD4WIN ~ SpeedFan

07-23-2008, 11:18 AM	#75 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties It's the card from a digital camera. About 4.2 cm wide x 3.6 deep. The front of the Dell E520 has a bunch of slots for various cards like these. They hold pictures, but they can also hold data. I have a 64 MB card and a 1G card, easy ways to transfer data. The slot that it goes into is the E drive on this particular computer. The Dell tech seemed to think that some sort of software was interfering with the software to run the drive, which is why he wants me to do a PC Restore. I insist that it's defective hardware that should be replaced, but this is what I'm arguing up the ladder with Dell. I've reached their Austin support supervisors, and maybe they will know better what is wrong. You know, I've had computers since the 386 days, and I never had to do a PC Restore until I bought a Dell. this makes twice in two months. An d the first time turned out to be unnecessary, as the PC Restore did not fix the problem, my nieghbor did, in less than 5 minutes. But he is stumped by the opaque boxes problem. The idea of setting up a new identity was going to work, but the E drive doesn't work properly on my wife's identity either. So I want to resolve this problem before going back to the opaque titles problem as if I end up doing a PC Restore, I'm essentially going to be setting up a new identity anyway.

07-23-2008, 11:28 AM	#76 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 998 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties I wonder if you could go into the Device Manager, uninstall the E drive, and then reboot the computer and let Windows automatically re-install the drive, and that would fix it. __________________ I subscribe to all threads I post in. But, if in case I don't or I forget, and I don't post back within 24 hours, please PM me. I will get back to your thread ASAP. #5 Texas Longhorns #5 Texas Longhorns 5-0 Everest ~ DBAN ~ UBCD4WIN ~ SpeedFan

07-23-2008, 11:40 AM	#77 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties One of the things we did yesterday was to go into device manager. On the first use of the E drive after booting the computer, the E drive is listed, along with the other 3 drives for reading various cards. But as soon as I hit the remove hardware icon, a yellow circle with a black exclamation point comes up next to USB Mass Storage Device, which is what the card reader is. And it does not work again until the computer is re-booted. We did not, however, try uninstalling the USB Mass Storage Device as you suggest. If I uninstall will Windows automatically re-install it? I'm game to try if you think windows will do this. Please advise. Thank you very much.