Big XP Icon/filetype/drawer problem

[Vincent]

I have 2 problems - one I can live with one I can't.

The main problem has just started tonight.

When I double click a folder it queues the stuff in it in Winamp, I have to right click then select open. So I try to solve the problem myself by going to tools -> folder options -> filetypes.

I have "File Folder" and "Folder" at the top of the list below "Drive"

"File Folder" has the following under advanced:
Enqueue in Winamp
Play in Winamp
Add to Winamp's Bookmark list
find

"Folder" has:
Browse with Paint Shop Pro 9
explore
open

I can't delete or edit these entries or the types themselves. I can only add new actions. How do I add an "open" action to the "File Folder" type so that the folder will just open in the same window like normal? Or how can I delete the "File Folder" type altogether? It seem to be that one that's causing the problem.

Even shortcuts to folders don't work properly.

The other problem is no matter what I cannot change the default html icon. Looking at the file types menu the icons appear as they should (a white sheet with the Opera O on it) yet when I look at them in any application or folder all I get is the default application icon. I've tried changing the icon to many things, but it always comes up as the default app icon. If I change the app icon then the html icon changes too.

Anybody any ideas?  It's driving me round the bend.  Well, further round - I think I was half way there anyway :-D

[adolescent]

File Folder doesn't have an open or explore entry by default, just find.  If the WinAmp is default (highlighted item) then you can remove it by clearing this value with REGEDIT (you don't need to delete the value, just replace it's content with an empty string):

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\(Default)

Folder can be cleared in the same way, or just set to open in you want to open all in the same window.

[Vincent]

adolescent wrote:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\(Default)

I deleted the value and it defaulted to find (opening in a new window).  Changed the value to "open" and it's all working :-D

Thanks a lot.  You can't imagine how annoying it was.

--edit--

Any ideas about the html icon misbehaving?

[adolescent]

Not sure.  It might be an icon cache issue.  Try deleting the IconCache.db file located in C:\Documents and Settings\{Username}\Local Settings\Application Data.

[Vincent]

Tried that, doesn't change anything :-(

[Vincent]

Just noticed something though.  Windows hasn't recreated the IconCache.db files (one for me, one for Siouxsie).

The machine's been rebooted twice since moving them to another drive.

[adolescent]

Hmm, odd.  Maybe there's something really wrong then.  :-D

Another thing to try is to install Microsofts Tweak UI Powertoy and choose the Repair / Rebuild Icons option.  This is supposed to fix the problem you're having (but then, so was deleting the cache file itself).  Interesting thing is it doesn't just delete the cache file, so there must be something too it.

[adolescent]

Ok, another thing to try that I just noticed.  Right click on a HTM or HTML file (whichever was affected) and choose Properties.  What does the "Opens with:" line say?  

(This is a wag but I noticed my PNG files don't have icons (show default executable icon), nor a default application, but when they are clicked they open up in the default picture viewer)

Otherwise, you can try deleting the HTM or HTML filetypes all together and just re-enter them.  You'll have to manually add in the actions so write the stuff down first.  A reboot between removing and adding probably wouldn't hurt either.

[Vincent]

I used Tweak UI's repair thing first and it made no differnece.

It's both HTM and HTML files that are affected.  Both have Open with: Opera (as well as IE and notepad, but the default is Opera).  Double clicking or right click->open works perfectly well.  Open with works fine too so there doesn't seem to be a problem with the filetype itself.

I'll try deleting the filetypes tomorrow and see what happens then.

[boing]

Speaking of Windows' inability to do anything right, what about a brand new edition of XP home that (right out of the box) is unable to remember the settings for a window (for example, size, and settings like showing Details or Thumbnails)?

If I ever met Bill Gates, I swear, I would beat him into a bloody pulp.

[adolescent]

@boing

Your install is messed up then, nothing wrong with Windows XP.  Default is to save settings for ~400 folders.  This value is set higher with SP2 or you can set it yourself.

Bill Gates would kick your ass.  :-D

[Vincent]

adolescent wrote:
Bill Gates would kick your ass.  :-D

No he wouldn't... his minders would :-P