Some minor, but very annoying bugs in Windows

[jdriscol]

I tried to install a Powerpoint package that provided multiple backgrounds (probably an ill-advised decision) and had to uninstall it immediately because it was causing problems. Since then, I cannot use the "Save Target as..." function in Internet Explorer, and anytime I open a browse box for any application, the file box (for lack of a better term) is blank until I right click and specify a view to use. Is there some simple file that could be corrupted that I would just have to reinstall to eliminate these problems?
When I uninstalled the Powerpoint add-on, I had to replace my "comdlg32.dll" file. Could this have something to do with it?

[AnnMarie]

Welcome to CTH jdriscol, provided you havent installed any other new hardware or software since installing the Powerpoint package, the simplest fix might be to run System Restore and restore to a date just prior to the installation.

[jdriscol]

I bet that would work, but another issue I've had for quite some time is that Windows has never let me set a system restore point. I never knew what the reason was, but I've had that problem since right after the last time I reinstalled Windows I think. Are there any other things that might fix it? I was wondering if maybe it was just one faulty .dll file or something that would cause these problems...

[AnnMarie]

Try the fix here (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=290700) for your System Restore problem.

Also make sure that Content Advisor is not enabled for the "Save Target as" issue. See here (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=176316). If this does not fix your problem, is the command missing or greyed out?

[jdriscol]

Normally, when you select the "Save Target As..." option, an initial window opens where it loads the selected link, disappears, and then the box opens where you are supposed to choose the location to save. So when I select this option, the first box operates normally, but the second box never appears. This is in addition to the fact that I can no longer save webpages, which I would do quite frequently (as .mht files). I already checked my content advisor, and it is disabled. I will try the system restore fix for future problems, but obviously it won't help for the problems I have right now.:dizzy:

[AnnMarie]

See if the suggestion here (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316537) helps jdriscol.

[jdriscol]

Hi, I saw the instructions on that webpage, and I wanted to clarify a couple things before I start deleting things in the registry. First of all, I have a subfolder in Extenstions labeled ".bcf". Both the Extension and .bcf folders have something labeled "default" in them, and .bcf has 3 additional things in it. What exactly should I be deleting? Then, when I'm renaming the files, is there a specific extension I should use, or do I just make something up? This sounds like it could be the solution...

[jdriscol]

I tried the system restore fix, and I still am not able to create a restore point.:(

[degsy]

Also try this fix for the Save Target As
http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75201

[jdriscol]

I tried the FreshUI program and didn't help with the "Save Target As.." or blank file browsing windows. It did however fix my inability to set system restore points.

[AnnMarie]

I have a subfolder in Extenstions labeled ".bcf". Both the Extension and .bcf folders have something labeled "default" in them, and .bcf has 3 additional things in it.

When you click on the bcf subkey and look in the righthand pane, it should tell you what program it relates to. Is the name of the subkey just bcf? No long list of numbers?

You are actually deleting the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Plugins\Extensions key. Back it up first if you are concerned about this. The easiest way to do this is to select the entry that you are going to delete with your mouse and go to File and choose Export. Call it any name that you like (selected branch should be pre-selected) and then send it to a New Folder on your Desktop as a reg file. If you have no further problems, rightclick on the New Folder and delete it. Do NOT doubleclick on a .reg file unless you want to put it back in your Registry.

I'll give the System Restore issue some more thought.

[AnnMarie]

Heh, we were both posting at the same time. That's good news jdriscol.

[jdriscol]

Ok, so I deleted the "Extension" and ".bcf" keys in the registry after backing them up. (I think the .bcf key was for my Belarc Advisor, which is just a utility that makes reports that say what versions of all software and what hardware you have on your computer.) I restarted and found that they were still gone from the registry, but it didn't solve either of the problems (being able to save websites or not seeing any files in file browsing boxes). Any other ideas?:(

[AnnMarie]

Ok, put the key back by doubleclicking on it and rebooting. This time just delete the subkeys and see if this helps.

[jdriscol]

Reinserted the Extension key (not the subfolder), and no improvement. Also, for degsy's suggestion, I checked the option in FreshUI for the Save Target As option, and it was enabled. Short of reinstalling windows or internet explorer, is there anything else that might help?

[AnnMarie]

Ok, try this. Go to Start > Control Panel and open Folder Options. Click on the File Types tab, scroll through the file types and select the file type that does not offer you the option of where to save the downloaded file anymore. Click the Advanced tab and make sure "Confirm open after download" is checked.

[jdriscol]

Hi, there was no specific file type that I had trouble saving from the web, but I tried a couple file types to see if checking that box made a difference, and it didn't. Still no dice.

[AnnMarie]

Well, the only other suggestion I can offer is to reinstall IE. You can obtain a standalone download of IE6 SP1 from here (http://public.planetmirror.com/pub/microsoft/ie/)

[jdriscol]

Any other suggestions then for the blank browse windows? I suppose there's an outside chance reinstalling IE might help this, but I doubt it.

[AnnMarie]

It's possible that you have overwritten a Windows file with an incompatible version (my pick would be oleaut32.dll) or perhaps some files just need reregistering.

Try this first. Close IE and go to Start > Run and run the following commands one after the other, each line followed by 'enter':

regsvr32 shdocvw.dll
regsvr32 urlmon.dll
regsvr32 comcat.dll
regsvr32 actxprxy.dll
regsvr32 Shell32.dll
regsvr32 Oleaut32.dll
regsvr32 Mshtml.dll
regsvr32 jscript.dll

Run each line individually. After each run, you should see a short message stating the command was successful. Now reboot.

If you still have a problem, try restoring oleaut32.dll. Insert the Win ME CD and browse to the Win9X folder. Select the folder WIN 14 then explore and find oleaut32.dll. Copy and paste it into your C drive

Reboot using a start up floppy disk and select 4 (use minimal boot) Type the following at the MS-DOS prompt

copy C:\oleaut32.dll c:\windows\system\oleaut32.dll
and then press ENTER

This is the default installation path however do check beforehand, as your system directory might be different

NOTE : If you are asked to overwrite, press Y and then press ENTER.

Reboot again (removing floppy first ). Hopefully this will do the trick.

[jdriscol]

Is the startup disk (I'm assuming you mean making a 3.5" floppy for that) necessary in this? I just discovered that my disk drive does not feel like reading disks anymore. And, by the sound of it, I would guess it's a mechanical problem and requires replacement of the drive.

[AnnMarie]

You can try this method How to Extract and Replace a Protected File in Windows Me (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q265371/).

[jdriscol]

I apologize for all these inconveniences, but my keyboard is USB and so doesn't allow me to choose DOS in any of the setup menus before Windows loads (since it doesn't function in any of those menus). Can I copy that .dll file you told me about in an MS-DOS prompt, or does it have to be before Windows loads?

[AnnMarie]

I doubt it but you could give it a try.

[jdriscol]

Actually, I managed to implement what you suggested from that Microsoft site with the extracting of the file within Windows, and after rebooting, I still have the two problems (no file browse box and inability to save webpages/save target as).

[AnnMarie]

I'm sorry jdriscol but if reinstalling IE doesnt help, I am out of ideas that do not involve reinstalling ME.

[jdriscol]

Alright, thanks for all of your time and patience.

[AnnMarie]

You are very welcome. :)