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Click a heading below to reveal the tips.
See help on customising and using reg files.
See Microsoft's Online Troubleshooting Wizard for additional help.
Winzip is a great archiving program in widespread use. With version 7 it also reads Microsoft's cab files.
Windows 98 reads cab files in an explorer type interface, and Plus! 98 reads zip files in an explorer type interface. Winzip itself is a more powerful program and I prefer to use Window's programs for day to day tasks and Winzip for more advanced tasks.
This tip will describe how to restore Window's default behaviour, while keeping the best of Winzip's.
Copy the following lines into a text file (assuming Windows is installed into c:\windows), rename it to RestoreCab.reg, and double click it.
REGEDIT4 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.cab] @="CLSID\\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}] @="Cabinet" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}\InProcServer32] @="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM\\ShellExt\\cabview.dll" "ThreadingModel"="Apartment" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}\DefaultIcon] @="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM\\ShellExt\\cabview.dll" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}\shell] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}\shell\open] @="View" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262}\shell\open\command] @="explorer /root,{0CD7A5C0-9F37-11CE-AE65-08002B2E1262},%1"
Type in the Start - Run dialog box
regsvr32 zipfldr.dll
Copy the following lines into a text file (assuming Windows is installed into c:\windows), rename it to RestoreZip.reg, and double click it.
REGEDIT4 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.zip] "Content Type"="application/x-zip-compressed" @="CompressedFolder" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.zip\ShellNew] "NullFile"="" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CompressedFolder] @="Compressed Folder" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CompressedFolder\CLSID] @="{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CompressedFolder\DefaultIcon] @="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM\\ZIPFLDR.DLL" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CompressedFolder\Shell] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CompressedFolder\Shell\Explore] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CompressedFolder\Shell\Explore\Command] @="explorer /e,/root,{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31},%L" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CompressedFolder\Shell\Open] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CompressedFolder\Shell\Open\Command] @="rundll32.exe zipfldr.dll,RouteTheCall %L" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CompressedFolder\ShellEx] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CompressedFolder\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CompressedFolder\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}] @="Compressed Folder Menu" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CompressedFolder\ShellEx\DropHandler] @="{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}] @="CompressedFolder" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}\DefaultIcon] @="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM\\ZIPFLDR.DLL" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}\InProcServer32] @="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM\\ZIPFLDR.DLL" "ThreadingModel"="Apartment" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}\ProgID] @="CompressedFolder" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}\ShellFolder] "Attributes"=hex:a0,01,00,20 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}\Implemented Categories] [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{E88DCCE0-B7B3-11d1-A9F0-00AA0060FA31}\Implemented Categories\{00021490-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}]
These command lines all rebuild parts of the registry back to the default. Any changes made in the areas rebuilt may be (but not necessarily) lost.
The headings give a general indication of the area they repair. However they are inter-related and it is worthwhile trying all of them for problems with Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Explorer, Start Menu, Taskbar and the Desktop.
Type these command lines into the Start Run dialog box.
Booting up in safe mode will restore a hidden taskbar. This is because when Explorer starts in safe mode it sets it's some of its Start Menu and Taskbar settings back to the default.
regsvr32 zipfldr.dll
regsvr32 /i occache.dll
Win98
This checks and sets between 2,000 and 3,000 registry entries
regsvr32.exe /i shdocvw.dll
and
This checks and sets between 4,000 and 6,000 registry entries
regsvr32 /i shell32.dll
IE5
regsvr32.exe /i shdoc401.dll
regsvr32 /i mshtml.dll
rundll setupx.dll,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 c:\windows\inf\shell.inf
and to repair internet file associations, and problems with previewing images.
Win98
This checks and sets between 2,000 and 3,000 registry entries
regsvr32.exe /i shdocvw.dll
and
This checks and sets between 4,000 and 6,000 registry entries
regsvr32 /i shell32.dll
IE5
regsvr32.exe /i shdoc401.dll
This restores the default registry entries for Web View, though it doesn't restore the Shell's registry entries also used in Webview. Webvw also contains the htt template and graphic files used in Web View and this command will extract them.
regsvr32.exe webvw.dll
regsvr32 vbscript.dll
regsvr32 rsabase.dll
regsvr32 mmefxe.ocx
If a program is involved try to start the program with the /r or /reg parameter. To reregister Outlook Express use;
C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\MSIMN.exe /reg
Special Folders such as Scheduled Tasks (real location C:\Windows\Tasks), Fonts (real location C:\Windows\Fonts), History, Temporary Internet Files, and others all require the Read Only or System attribute set to act as a special folder. If a special folder no longer acts as it should then set the System or Read Only attribute.
The Read Only attribute can be set by right clicking the folder and choosing properties. Use the following command line to set the System Attribute (or look at the Context Menu and Sendto Menu pages on this site);
attrib +s the name and path of the folder
This is the default settings for common special folders. In testing it doesn't appear to matter if they are marked Read Only or System (System is used for protecting and super hiding the folder).
The Dos path is dependent on how Windows was installed and will vary from system to system. Common factors that affect the actual path are if User Profiles enabled, the exact version of Windows and Internet Explorer, if Windows or IE have been upgraded, and Network Administrators (and Users) may also specify alternative paths. The paths shown here are the most common for non networked computers with Windows 98 cleanly installed.
Folder Name | Dos Path | Default Attribute |
Cookies | C:\WINDOWS\COOKIES | S |
Downloaded Program Files | C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLO~1 | S |
FONTS | C:\WINDOWS\FONTS | S |
History | C:\WINDOWS\HISTORY | S |
My Documents | C:\MYDOCU~1 | R |
Offline Web Pages | C:\WINDOWS\OFFLIN~1 | R |
RECYCLED | C:\RECYCLED | S |
Scheduled Tasks | C:\WINDOWS\TASKS | R |
Temporary Internet Files | C:\WINDOWS\TEMPOR~1 | S |
This topic is incomplete. Will be finished soon by including copies of all the Desktop.inis
Copy following line into a new Text Document. Rename it something.reg. Double click it. This fixes the one problem that installing Win95 Power Toys Send To causes. It still worthwhile installing then fixing for the added functionally of Send To Powertoys. Win98 Send To Desktop As Shortcut and Powertoys Send to Mail can't co-exist, but Win 98 includes it's own Send To Mail.
REGEDIT4 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.DeskLink] @="CLSID\\{9E56BE61-C50F-11CF-9A2C-00A0C90A90CE}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{9E56BE61-C50F-11CF-9A2C-00A0C90A90CE}] "NeverShowExt"="" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{9E56BE61-C50F-11CF-9A2C-00A0C90A90CE}\InProcServer32] @="C:\\WINDOWS\\SYSTEM\\SENDMAIL.DLL" "ThreadingModel"="Apartment" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{9E56BE61-C50F-11CF-9A2C-00A0C90A90CE}\DefaultIcon] @="C:\\WINDOWS\\explorer.exe,-103" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{9E56BE61-C50F-11CF-9A2C-00A0C90A90CE}\shellex\DropHandler] @="{9E56BE61-C50F-11CF-9A2C-00A0C90A90CE}"
To refresh the icons in the system change the size of icons in Start - Control Panel - Display - Appearance, click apply then change the size back.
The size of the icon cache is stored here in icons. This is the default. Increase this if Windows often shows the wrong icon or no icons.
REGEDIT4 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer] "Max Cached Icons"="4000"
To restore if hidden
rundll32 mydocs.dll,RestoreMyDocsFolder
To repair
regsvr32 /i mydocs.dll
If the registry entries for My Documents get out of sync then it may not be possible to use the My Documents icon with out a crash or changes to the path don't actually change.
This script file fixes this problem
'SetMyDocs.vbs 'Set the path to My Documents. 'Used when User Shell Folder\Personal is blank (the UI doesn't accept changes) ' 'Serenity Macros http://www.angelfire.com/biz/serenitymacros 'David Candy davidc@sia.net.au ' On Error Resume Next strExplain="SetMyDocs displays and changes the My Documents path." & vbCRLF & "Used when their is a blank value for Personal in the User Shell Folders key" & vbCRLF & vbCRLF strTitle="Set MyDocuments Path" Dim Sh Set Sh = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") ReportErrors "Creating Shell" MyDocsPath1=Sh.RegRead("HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\Personal") MyDocsPath2=Sh.RegRead("HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\Personal") If Err.Number=-2147024894 then Err.Clear If MsgBox (strExplain & "Shell Folders" & vbtab & MydocsPath1 & vbCRLF & "User Shell Folders" & vbtab & MydocsPath2 & vbCRLF & vbCRLF & "Continue?", vbYesNo + vbInformation, strTitle) = 6 then Dim bffShell Dim bff Set bffShell = WScript.CreateObject("Shell.Application") Set bff = bffShell.BrowseForFolder(0, "Select the My Documents folder", 1) If Err.number<>0 Then ReportErrors("Setting up Browse for Folder") Else A = bff.ParentFolder.ParseName(bff.Title).Path If err.number=424 then err.clear End If If A<>"" then Sh.RegWrite "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Shell Folders\Personal", A Sh.RegWrite "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\Personal", A If Err.number<>0 Then ReportErrors("Writing to the registry") Else MsgBox "My Documents folder has been changed to " & A & vbCRLF & vbCRLF & "Edit the path of the My Documents folder by right clicking the icon and choosing properties. Windows may need to be restarted before the My Documents icon works properly.", vbInformation, strTitle End If Else MsgBox "A blank value was entered or the dialog box was canceled, no changes made", vbInformation, strTitle End If End If ReportErrors "SettingPath" VisitSerenity Sub ReportErrors(strModuleName) If err.number<>0 then Msgbox "Error occured in " & strModuleName & " module of " & err.number& " - " & err.description & " type" , vbCritical + vbOKOnly, "Something unexpected" Err.clear End Sub Sub VisitSerenity If MsgBox("This program came from the Serenity Macros Web Site" & vbCRLF & vbCRLF & "Would you like to visit Serenity's Web Site now?", vbQuestion + vbYesNo + vbDefaultButton2, "Visit Serenity Macros") =6 Then sh.Run "http:\\www.angelfire.com\biz\serenitymacros" End If End Sub
Files with extension scf are shortcut type files that issue commands via Internet Explorer. As they are considered Shortcuts they never show their extension though their description is Windows Explorer Command.
Other types of shortcuts are lnk with a description of Shortcut, pif with a description of Shortcut to MS-Dos Program, and url with a description of Internet Shortcut.
To recreate these files copy the following lines into a new Text Document and rename it to the appropiate name and copy to either the original location, the desktop, or the Start Menu (or anywhere).
ShowDesktop.scf hides all open windows so items on the desktop can be seen or used. It is normally located in the Quick Launch toolbar. Items on the Quick Launch toolbar are stored at C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch.
[Shell] Command=2 IconFile=explorer.exe,3 [Taskbar] Command=ToggleDesktop
Explorer.scf open Explorer. It is normally located on the Start - Programs menu. It appears identical in behaviour to typing Explorer.
[Shell] Command=2 IconFile=explorer.exe,1 [Taskbar] Command=Explorer
ViewChannels.scf shows the Channels toolbar. It is normally located in the Quick Launch toolbar. Items on the Quick Launch toolbar are stored at C:\WINDOWS\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch.
[Shell] Command=3 IconFile=shdocvw.dll,-118 [IE] Command=Channels
Many posters in the Windows newsgroups are concerned about System Resources - some indeed do have a problem in this area but others (most) are only noticing normal behaviour. The posters report two issues.
The first is System Resources reduce after starting a program and don't restore after the program exits. This can indicate a faulty program is running but is also normal behaviour.
The second report is of low System Resources. If the resources are low then this indicates that lots of programs are running in the background. This is generally indicated by lots of icons next to the time on the taskbar. What is low depends on what programs have been running and what programs are running (because a previous running program may load resources that a program that will run later will use and reducing the observable use of resources but not the actual use).
I would suspect a 16 bit program if resources were really low, under 40%.
System Resoures is a term that applies to five specific areas of memory. The value that Windows reports for System Resources is the lowest of the five and the percentage is calculated for each by Free Memory Now/Free Memory After Windows Started * 100. The amount of installed memory has no bearing on System Resources, its equivlent (sort of) term is Memory Load. The five areas and their size are;
System Resources will not return to the levels that they were when Windows started, of even when a application starts then stops. Some resources are loaded only when requested to save time while starting Windows - in Windows 3.1 all fonts were loaded at startup while Windows 98 waits for a program to use the font before loading it and keeps the font loaded for other programs to use.
For more information on System Resources, what is stored in them, and troubleshooting see the Windows 98 Resource Kit (on the Win98 CD-Rom) and query the Microsoft Knowledge Base on these three article numbers - Q117744 Q146418 Q190217. I've supplied a glossary below to help you make sense of some of the terms.
These definitions are taken from the VC++ glossary and the Platform SDK glossary. These glossaries are probably available at http://msdn.microsoft.com but I haven't checked as I have the MSDN on CD-Rom.
Term | Definition |
brush | A bitmap that is used to fill the interior of closed shapes, polygons, ellipses, and paths. See also bitmap, ellipse, path, polygon. |
device context | Structure that defines a set of graphic objects and their attributes, and the graphic modes that affect output. In addition, the device context (DC) refers to a physical output device-its name, device driver, and other attributes. GDI function call parameters contain a handle to a DC to include the attributes of the specified device. There are four types of DC:
|
font |
|
GDI (Graphics Device Interface) | An executable program that processes graphical function calls from a Windows-based application and passes those calls to the appropriate device driver, which performs the hardware-specific functions that generate output. By acting as a buffer between applications and output devices, GDI presents a device-independent view of the world for the application while interacting in a device-dependent format with the device. |
GDI (Graphics Device Interface) | A dynamic-link library that processes graphics function calls from a Windows-based application and passes those calls to the appropriate device driver. See also dynamic-link library (DLL). |
Heap | A portion of memory reserved for a program to use for the temporary storage of data structures whose existence or size cannot be determined until the program is running. The program can request free memory from the heap to hold such elements, use it as necessary, and later free the memory. |
logical brush | A description of a bitmap. A logical brush can be selected into a device context. See also bitmap, device context. |
logical palette | An array of colors, or "color palette," that an application creates and associates with a device context and uses for graphics output. See also device context. |
menu handle | A unique value of the type HMENU used to identify a menu. See also menu. |
pen | A drawing tool used to draw lines and curves. |
physical brush | A bitmap that the system uses to paint the interior of filled shapes. A physical brush is a device driver's approximation of a logical brush. See also bitmap, logical brush. |
timer | An internal routine that causes the system to send a WM_TIMER message whenever a specified interval elapses. |
window handle | A 32-bit value, assigned by Windows, that uniquely identifies a window. |