Notepad starts with "[.ShellClassInfo] computer starts in Vista

I have set up a dual boot system with Vista and XP on separate partitions of
a single hard drive, with a second physical drive for shared folders. After
sucessfully installing some legacy programs under XP I rebooted into Vista.
When the computer booted Notepad opened up a text document displaying the
following:

[.ShellClassInfo][email protected]%systemRoot%\System32\Shell32.dll,-21787".

I have found a KB article that addresses this in XP (KB/330132), instructing
me to remove the desktop.ini file that was causing this. I did check my XP
installation and found such files and removed them (oddly i did not
experience the problem in XP), but this did not solve the problem in Vista.

My question - will this solution work for Vista as well? Is this being
caused by an incorrect desktop.ini in the Vista partition?

Thanks very much!

otho69

 

It happens becaise the file should be hidden and someone (like you) removed
the hidden attribute. The fix is to make it hidden not delete (although
delete doesn't hurt much on ENGLISH LANGUAGE versions of window). This and
the All User's desktop.ini are the only 2 desktop.ini that must be hidden or
wierd thing happen..

 

Me?! I would never do such a thing - perish the thought!

While I do not know how I managed to change the desktop.ini file's hidden
attribute, it sounds as though it is an easy enough problem to fix. I'll
have a bash at it and let you know how I fare.

Thanks!

otho69

 

What that file in that location does (as others have other non language
related functions) is give the folder it name. In English the directory name
and display name is the same. With the file there you see the name coming
from the language resource. In German Windows it says something like Hande
Hoch (or some babble). So if you delete it in english all looks the same but
you see the real folder name not the language translation.

 

I would love to give this a try but I have yet to be able to access my
"Documents and Settings" folder to look for the necessary desktop.ini to
correct its attributes. I am logged in as an administrator, but Vista denies
me access to the folder. I have looked at the permissions but cannot figure
out how to grant myself access.

I am quite new to Vista (obviously). I understand why the new security
protocols are in place, but I do not understand how to work with them as yet.
Can you explain to me how I can get permission to access the system folders
and fix the desktop.ini files? Any help is greatlty appreciated!

otho69

 

Replace Users for Documents and Settings. D&S isn't a real folder but a
redirect signs for install programs looking for the old names. Or just right
click the folder on Start and choose Open.

 

In the following two folders (the paths may be hidden)

C:\Users\(YOUR NAME)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start
Menu\Programs\Startup

and

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

confirm that in each of the above two folders, that there is a desktop.ini
file with the following contents (nothing more, nothing less), as seen in
Notepad:

----------------------------------(below this
line)-------------------------------

[.ShellClassInfo]
[email protected]%SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,-21787

----------------------------------(above this
line)-------------------------------


Now, in Windows Explorer (which should be "Run as Administrator"), go to:

C:\Users\(YOUR NAME)\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start
Menu\Programs

Select the Startup folder. While holding down the Shift key, right click on
the Startup folder, and choose "Open Command Window Here". In the Command
Window, at the prompt, type (or copy and paste):

attrib +H +S -R desktop.ini

Press Enter on your keyboard.

Now go to:

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

Select the Startup folder. While holding down the Shift key, right click on
the Startup folder, and choose "Open Command Window Here". In the Command
Window, at the prompt, type (or copy and paste):

attrib +H +S -R desktop.ini

Press Enter on your keyboard.

These are the only two desktop.ini's that could be causing your problem.
(Any other desktop.ini's in other folders should be left alone.)

Hope this helps,
Dean

 

Fellows,

Thanks very much for your responses - they were extremely helpful and had
allowed me to resolve the problem. The problem did re-arise after a day or
so, after I had booted into Windows XP a few times, so I suspect there is
something amiss with my dual boot arrangement that is causing this problem.
Also, Vista will no longer allow me to change the "read only" attribute on
the C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder,
which prevents me from reapplying the solution you had outlined.

It is a little frustrating, but progress is being made at least in that I am
starting to feel more comfortable working in Vista and am finding my way
around!

Your help has been greatly appreciated!

otho69