[SOLVED] problem with desktop display properties - Page 5

**Coolfreak** · 07-23-2008, 04:18 PM

I believe it is a faulty part now since you said it only worked once when you uninstalled the drive, and let Windows re-install it.

Best of luck with the technician.

Definitely keep is updated,

-Coolfreak

WaxhawRon · 07-23-2008, 04:53 PM

Thank you for the words of encouragement. I have always thought it was a faulty part. Now I hope that I am proved correct.

Please let me ask you another quick question on another subject entirely. I see that you run SP3. I run SP2. Is this something I should upgrade to? It sounds like there can be a lot of complications getting SP3 installed and running. What do you think?

**Coolfreak** · 07-23-2008, 05:56 PM

I didn't have any problems at all. Although some people do. I would backup some of your important files just to be on the safe side, but I wouldn't see why you will have any problems. Give it a try, it can't really hurt much.

You can download it from Microsoft's site, or you can go to Windows Update and download/install it there. I think you'll run into less complications if you download the full SP3 from the site, and then install it.

But that's entirely up to you

Best of luck,

-Coolfreak

WaxhawRon · 07-23-2008, 06:20 PM

Coolfreak,
Thank you very much for the advice re SP3. I try to keep fully updated on all of the software I run, so I guess I'll give it a try. But you are right, I'll back up my key files on a CD...just in case.

**Coolfreak** · 07-23-2008, 08:25 PM

Good idea. It's unlikely something will happen, but you never know. It's always best to be prepared.

Let me know how it goes

-Coolfreak

WaxhawRon · 07-24-2008, 02:15 PM

Coolfreak, you're going to love this! This morning a Dell technician showed up to replace the card reader. When he did, the same problem was still there. he called in and they told me again to do a PC Restore. Well, I fired off an e-mail to Dell's corporate offices raising h3ll. I was going to to the PC Restore tonight after my neighbor got home to help me save my OE e-mails. At 4:00 I got a call from an American from Dell's offices in Austin. He took control of my computer, and in about 30 minutes had the problem fixed. The card reader now works great.

I asked him to take a look at the opaque icon names, and after seeing it he said it is a bug in Windows that happens sometimes for no reason at all. He also suggested moving everything to a new identity to get rid of this problem.

So, later on I will set up another identity and move all my stuff to it and be done with the opaque boxes. I will let you know when I do this and how it works, but it should work fine. I'll also let you know when I install SP3--I'll back up my key files as I move them to the new identity--be organized about it. Thanks again!

**Coolfreak** · 07-24-2008, 06:02 PM

Haha, that's great. Got a good laugh out of me. Now, let's hope everything goes according to plan.

Good luck!

-Coolfreak

Big X · 07-29-2008, 04:12 PM

Do you know how he fixed the card reader. I wouldn't mind knowing. And if it happens again you can fix it yourself ;).

Big X · 07-29-2008, 04:16 PM

Ow also. I have installed SP3 on about 20 machines now with no problems. But yea I backed them all up first just in case. Well except for my home comp cause I don't care if it crashes :).

WaxhawRon · 07-29-2008, 04:47 PM

Hi BigX,

To fix the card reader he downloaded different drivers that I had already installed. I don't know which they were, but now when I look at My Computer, the E,F,G, and H drives all have descriptions of what cards they take--E is Compact Flash Drive, F is xD/SM drive, G is Memory Stick Drive, and H is SD Card Drive. The icons that are shown on My Computer are now different also, little drive icons as before but now with profiles of the various cards they read. Sorry I can't give you any better information than this. We used Dell Connect and he did all the work while I sat back and watched, and he moved very quickly.

Incidentally, I am traveling now and am on my laptop, but when I get home next week I'll be setting up my new identity and transfering my files so that I can get rid of the opaque desktop icons as you suggested. I found the following Emails and mail account settings.mht on the web re moving OE messages, FYI. Seems to me that I can just set up the new identity and then move the folder C:\Documents and Settings\Ron\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{31391EF3-B3AC-4F12-94D8-DC2DA45E9526}\Microsoft\Outlook Express to the comparable folder under the new identity. If you look at OE Tools--Options--Maintenance--Store Folders this looks like it should be pretty easy to do.

Re SP3, I am still thinking about it. I'm not sure what benefit it will give me for the work backing things up to a DVD in order to safely install it. Although, I should probably do this type of backup anyway.

Take care,

**Coolfreak** · 07-29-2008, 05:09 PM

I always backup my machine at least once a month. It's always better to be safe than sorry. But again, it's completely up to the PC user whether or not they backup their system or not

Take it easy

-Coolfreak

WaxhawRon · 08-03-2008, 12:11 PM

Hi Coolfreak and Big X (if you're watching),

I just transfered my OE e-mail folders to a new identity set up on my computer. I followed the instructions of Ask Leo! and it went very smoothly and easily. Just copying and pasting to the new identity did not work, you've got to go through Shared Folders and let OE do the work. As they say in China--mei wenti--(pronounced mayo wentee) which means 'no problem'.

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions, this problem is solved as there are no shadows on the desktop icons on the new identity.

**Coolfreak** · 08-03-2008, 06:43 PM

That's great news!!

Glad to hear everything got worked out!

It took a month and a day, but at least everything is back to normal

Keep in touch, PM me sometime..

-Coolfreak

WaxhawRon · 08-03-2008, 07:33 PM

...and tomorrow I am going to Circuit City. They have a sale on a Western Digital 250 GB My Passport Elite external hard drive. Seems to be well reviewed and they have a good price. Will then back up everything on my computer.

Thanks again for all the help.

WaxhawRon

Big X · 08-04-2008, 12:28 AM

Good to here. Its not every day I offer good advice. I usually come on here asking for advice lol :). Been reading alot of problems on here to pick up on problem solving that I can use at work or whenever IT problems come up. I have been thinking about getting into tech support for my next career move.

**Coolfreak** · 08-04-2008, 10:25 AM

I am currently a system administrator, and a IT technician for other employee's. It's an exciting career. Definitely something to look in too.

webtv · 09-05-2008, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaxhawRon

Actually, I was a bit premature in stating that the problem was totally solved. There are two hangovers. (1) I had to re-set all of the sound properties--no problem. But (2) all of my desktop icons have opaque boxes under them, i.e. instead of white print on a transparent background, they have white print on a colored background. I have matched the Advanced Appearance settings to both my laptop and to the second identity on my desktop, but while both of those have transparent backgrounds to white lettering for the names of the desktop shortcut icons, my desktop icons have opaque backgrounds. This is quite ugly. Perhaps you can instruct me how to get the transparent backgrounds back? I would appreciate it very much. Thank you

Well thanks for your help...i was trying to figure out this for a very long time.. n i finally found the solution to make the icons transparent... well you right click on the desktop ---- properties---- desktop tab---- customized desktop ----- web tab ----- uncheck lock desktop items!!

this should make your icons transparent!!

07-23-2008, 04:18 PM	#81 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 976 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties I believe it is a faulty part now since you said it only worked once when you uninstalled the drive, and let Windows re-install it. Best of luck with the technician. Definitely keep is 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

07-23-2008, 04:53 PM	#82 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties Thank you for the words of encouragement. I have always thought it was a faulty part. Now I hope that I am proved correct. Please let me ask you another quick question on another subject entirely. I see that you run SP3. I run SP2. Is this something I should upgrade to? It sounds like there can be a lot of complications getting SP3 installed and running. What do you think?

07-23-2008, 05:56 PM	#83 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 976 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties I didn't have any problems at all. Although some people do. I would backup some of your important files just to be on the safe side, but I wouldn't see why you will have any problems. Give it a try, it can't really hurt much. You can download it from Microsoft's site, or you can go to Windows Update and download/install it there. I think you'll run into less complications if you download the full SP3 from the site, and then install it. But that's entirely up to you Best of luck, -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, 06:20 PM	#84 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties Coolfreak, Thank you very much for the advice re SP3. I try to keep fully updated on all of the software I run, so I guess I'll give it a try. But you are right, I'll back up my key files on a CD...just in case.

07-23-2008, 08:25 PM	#85 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 976 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties Good idea. It's unlikely something will happen, but you never know. It's always best to be prepared. Let me know how it goes -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

07-24-2008, 02:15 PM	#86 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties Coolfreak, you're going to love this! This morning a Dell technician showed up to replace the card reader. When he did, the same problem was still there. he called in and they told me again to do a PC Restore. Well, I fired off an e-mail to Dell's corporate offices raising h3ll. I was going to to the PC Restore tonight after my neighbor got home to help me save my OE e-mails. At 4:00 I got a call from an American from Dell's offices in Austin. He took control of my computer, and in about 30 minutes had the problem fixed. The card reader now works great. I asked him to take a look at the opaque icon names, and after seeing it he said it is a bug in Windows that happens sometimes for no reason at all. He also suggested moving everything to a new identity to get rid of this problem. So, later on I will set up another identity and move all my stuff to it and be done with the opaque boxes. I will let you know when I do this and how it works, but it should work fine. I'll also let you know when I install SP3--I'll back up my key files as I move them to the new identity--be organized about it. Thanks again!

07-24-2008, 06:02 PM	#87 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 976 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties Haha, that's great. Got a good laugh out of me. Now, let's hope everything goes according to plan. Good luck! -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

07-29-2008, 04:12 PM	#88 (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 Do you know how he fixed the card reader. I wouldn't mind knowing. And if it happens again you can fix it yourself ;).

07-29-2008, 04:16 PM	#89 (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 Ow also. I have installed SP3 on about 20 machines now with no problems. But yea I backed them all up first just in case. Well except for my home comp cause I don't care if it crashes :).

07-29-2008, 04:47 PM	#90 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties Hi BigX, To fix the card reader he downloaded different drivers that I had already installed. I don't know which they were, but now when I look at My Computer, the E,F,G, and H drives all have descriptions of what cards they take--E is Compact Flash Drive, F is xD/SM drive, G is Memory Stick Drive, and H is SD Card Drive. The icons that are shown on My Computer are now different also, little drive icons as before but now with profiles of the various cards they read. Sorry I can't give you any better information than this. We used Dell Connect and he did all the work while I sat back and watched, and he moved very quickly. Incidentally, I am traveling now and am on my laptop, but when I get home next week I'll be setting up my new identity and transfering my files so that I can get rid of the opaque desktop icons as you suggested. I found the following Emails and mail account settings.mht on the web re moving OE messages, FYI. Seems to me that I can just set up the new identity and then move the folder C:\Documents and Settings\Ron\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\{31391EF3-B3AC-4F12-94D8-DC2DA45E9526}\Microsoft\Outlook Express to the comparable folder under the new identity. If you look at OE Tools--Options--Maintenance--Store Folders this looks like it should be pretty easy to do. Re SP3, I am still thinking about it. I'm not sure what benefit it will give me for the work backing things up to a DVD in order to safely install it. Although, I should probably do this type of backup anyway. Take care, Last edited by WaxhawRon : 07-29-2008 at 04:48 PM. Reason: left out a key word

07-29-2008, 05:09 PM	#91 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 976 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties I always backup my machine at least once a month. It's always better to be safe than sorry. But again, it's completely up to the PC user whether or not they backup their system or not Take it easy -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

08-03-2008, 12:11 PM	#92 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties Hi Coolfreak and Big X (if you're watching), I just transfered my OE e-mail folders to a new identity set up on my computer. I followed the instructions of Ask Leo! and it went very smoothly and easily. Just copying and pasting to the new identity did not work, you've got to go through Shared Folders and let OE do the work. As they say in China--mei wenti--(pronounced mayo wentee) which means 'no problem'. Thanks for all of the help and suggestions, this problem is solved as there are no shadows on the desktop icons on the new identity.

08-03-2008, 06:43 PM	#93 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 976 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties That's great news!! Glad to hear everything got worked out! It took a month and a day, but at least everything is back to normal Keep in touch, PM me sometime.. -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

08-03-2008, 07:33 PM	#94 (permalink)
WaxhawRon Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 72 OS: XP Pro	Re: problem with desktop display properties ...and tomorrow I am going to Circuit City. They have a sale on a Western Digital 250 GB My Passport Elite external hard drive. Seems to be well reviewed and they have a good price. Will then back up everything on my computer. Thanks again for all the help. WaxhawRon

08-04-2008, 12:28 AM	#95 (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 Good to here. Its not every day I offer good advice. I usually come on here asking for advice lol :). Been reading alot of problems on here to pick up on problem solving that I can use at work or whenever IT problems come up. I have been thinking about getting into tech support for my next career move.

08-04-2008, 10:25 AM	#96 (permalink)
Coolfreak Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: May 2008 Location: PA Posts: 976 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 and Ubuntu 8.04	Re: problem with desktop display properties I am currently a system administrator, and a IT technician for other employee's. It's an exciting career. Definitely something to look in too. __________________ 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