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duncanp

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19 years ago

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duncanp

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January 20th, 2008 07:00

Can't access "My Documents" - causing further problems?

Hello everyone,
 
I have for some inexplicable reason been unable to get into "My Documents" for many many months now. When I click on it I get the message "Not accessible / access denied". It has never particularly bothered me. I have recently tried to play a couple of PC games (the 1st time I have ever used my PC for games) and although all three play as they're supposed to, when it comes to save the progress it doesn't let me do it: various messages such as "Save Failed", "Cannot create Save Profile" and so on. Now, I am wondering if the two issues are linked somehow. I understand that I am being quite vague here, but would really appreciate some help and would give any further information as requested.
 
Thanks!
 
Duncan
  • duncanp

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    Posted January 20th, 2008 10:00

    Thanks for replying.
     
    How do I know if I am running an admin. account? Sorry, I am not sure if I am or not!?
     
    I right clicked and the only options it gives are "General" and "Sharing". Does that sound right?
     
    To be honest, I don't even know if I have a username! How would I find out? I don't have to "log on" as such with a password when my PC starts up.

    Thanks again, hope you don't tire of my seemingly low level of knowledge on this....
     
    Duncan
     
  • dunedin

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    Posted January 20th, 2008 10:00

    Are you running an Admin Account?  If you are then try this
     
    Take ownership of the folder by right clicking it and selecting Properties. Select the Security Tab and click the Advanced button. You'll see an Owner tab so add your User Name to the list
     
    You may need to go to My Computer/Tools/Folder Options/View tab and uncheck "Use simple file sharing" or you won't have a Security tab otherwise.
     
    XP Home
    Go to Safe Mode to find the Security Tab
     
    You need to be using an Admin Account to do it.

    Once you have given yourself permission you will not get the “Access Denied” message.
     
    To apply to subfolders check the box "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects" before you click “Apply”
  • dunedin

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    Posted January 20th, 2008 13:00

    Go to Control Panel/User Accounts
     
    You will see your Account there.  It will show your User Name and also the type of Account
     
    If you do not see a "Security" tab you will have to do one or both of the following
     
    1. Go to My Computer/Tools/Folder Options/View tab and uncheck "Use simple file sharing" or you won't have a Security tab otherwise.
     
    2. XP Home
    Go to Safe Mode to find the Security Tab
  • duncanp

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    Posted January 20th, 2008 15:00

    Ok, I tried that (Go to Control Panel/User Accounts), and this pops up:
     
    "Wrong number of arguments, or invalid property assignments"
     
    It doesn't give me any other info.....
     
    Duncan
     
  • dunedin

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    Posted January 20th, 2008 15:00

    OK, you have a problem.
     
    Go to the link below and  download olereg.vbs and run the file.
     
  • duncanp

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    Posted January 20th, 2008 16:00

    I have downloaded it (took a fraction of a second, is that right?). I can't open the file though. When I double click on it nothing happend, when I right click and try to "open with" it just goes back to normal desktop, ie. nothing happens. I tried just opening the file from the link also, and I get this message: "Windows cannot access, you may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item".
     
    Sorry to be such a problem!
     
    Duncan
     
  • dunedin

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    Posted January 20th, 2008 20:00

    Duncan, no need to apologise :smileyhappy:
     
    It seems that everything we try to do is producing a problem.  If this was my machine I would start checking for malware of all kinds.
     
    Try the following. It may be that you will have to resort to a HijackThis logfile, but try these first.
     
    Run this online scan
    Housecall      http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
     
    Download and run this excellent program  (the free one)
    SUPERAntiSpyware       http://www.superantispyware.com/
     
    Take a note of what is found other than tracking cookies.  E.g. worms/trojans/hijackers etc. and post that back
     
    Get them to clean everything they find
     
  • duncanp

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    Posted January 21st, 2008 06:00

    Thanks.
     
    I am at work now, but will do these when I am at home, this evening.

    I will post you my findings!
     
    Duncan
    :smileyhappy:
  • duncanp

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    Posted January 22nd, 2008 07:00

    Hello again, hope you're well?

    Well, I did those two last night. The 1st one brought up a couple of things that it then deleted. The 2nd one just brought up two tracking cookies. I am an idiot, as I didn't keep a note of what the things were! Shall I do the 1st one again and let you know, or do you think I need to do a Hijack this?
     
    Thanks.
     
    Duncan
     
  • dunedin

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    Posted January 28th, 2008 17:00

    Yes, it is a pity we do not know what sort of nasty was removed. We can try to fix the problems, but if nothing works you may have to post a HijackThis log.
     
    I don`t know where to start here, so let`s work backwards.
     
    1. First we will restore all file associations in case they have been corrupted
     
    Select “Win XP Fixes” on the left hand side
    Select “Restore Default File Associations Easily” (right hand side)
     
    Download the BAT file (zipped) that will restore all of the "default" associations.  You just have to run it.
     
     
    2. Then re-register OLE32.dll
    Start/Run  and type in the box
    regsrv32 OLE32.dll  (there is a space before /)
    OK
     
    You will get a message whether it succeeds or not.
     
    3. If it works, we are back to trying this (as you did before)
    "Go to Control Panel/User Accounts
     
    You will see your Account there.  It will show your User Name and also the type of Account
     
    If you do not see a "Security" tab you will have to do one or both of the following
     
    1. Go to My Computer/Tools/Folder Options/View tab and uncheck "Use simple file sharing" or you won't have a Security tab otherwise.
     
    2. XP Home
    Go to Safe Mode to find the Security Tab"
     
    If you can`t get these to work I think you will have to post a HijackThis log
    Go to the HijackThis forum 
     
    Read the red link at the top and then post your log on the forum with a description of your problem, plus the Model of Dell you have and the OS Version.
     
    It is a sad state of affairs, but some nasties put restrictions in the registry to stop you accessing some XP functions.  A HijackThis log is the only way to get it fixed.  It needs the experts on that forum to read the log and tell you what to remove.