Windows Explorer Question (help)

[Roy]

We got any computer experts here? I'm using Windows 2000 pro and everything was fine till yesterday and I did a security update from Microsoft.

Here's my problem.........

In Explorer, I like to set up the folders that have my photos in them to have a preview. They are still set up like that but when I highlight a file in the preview window I get "no preview available".

Probably don't sound like much but I use this all the time to preview jpg files then open with my photo editor of choice.

Any ideas on how to fix it?

[h00kemh0rns]

I'm not a computer expert...but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn

Check the associated extension to the files in Windows Explorer. Go to Tools, Folder Options, File Types. Is the type of file extension (i.e. .jpg) showing? If not you can add it.

[ndsimm]

Originally Posted by h00kemh0rns

I'm not a computer expert...but I have stayed at a Holiday Inn

Check the associated extension to the files in Windows Explorer. Go to Tools, Folder Options, File Types. Is the type of file extension (i.e. .jpg) showing? If not you can add it.

what he said

[Roy]

Thanks, but that's not the problem and I do have those file extensions.

If your in explorer, third column from the left is a pulldown menu for "View" I use this and go to customize this folder. There I can set up the image preview. In my case, I'm only looking to preview jpeg files. I get the window but no image that should be there if you just hilight a file (*.jpg or *.jpeg).

The preview I want to see is in windows explorer. I've got all folders set up for file details except photo folders. I want those to be a preview of the image. It's set up with the customize option I mentioned before, it just doesn't show the image.

Somebody else posted a way to preview images in windows explorer here (I think) one time. If I can find it maybe I need to try that. It looks like the way I've done the preview before is messed up.

Anymore ideas?

[h00kemh0rns]

Are you talking about this thread: http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ndows+explorer

[Hogleg 44]

Do a google search on the problem. I haven't used W2K for 3 years now, but I used to have that problem occasionally and it seems you have to run a command (or something like that) to get it to preview again. I just can't remember what I used to have to do. Maybe it will jog a memory on the forum here. It's not an unusual W2K problem. Try Google and see what shows up.

[mspencer]

I use Xp but had a similar problem. I had to make a new folder set it up to preview then cut and paste all my files over, deleting the original folder. See if this works, if not, can you tell me what the patch was for? A summary of what they changed.

[Roy]

Yes, I think that was it Hookemhorns. Don't sound too good does it.

I was told to try this.

With google.com I type in http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...2+JPEG+PREVIEW From there I find the AUMHA page and just a little down that page is a common fix I use.

http://aumha.org/regfiles.php

I'm just a little concerned with changing the registry.

Mspenser, I'll have to see if I can figure out what updates Microsoft made. There was more than one.

[mspencer]

Yeah that was why I was wondering what patches you got.

Essentially here's what I suspect. All files have an extension. The extensions have a value assigned to them in the registry. There is another registry value that links the afore mentioned value to programs/applications (which have a value). In laymens terms.... jpeg = x, viewer = z, and there is a little registry entry that links x to z. The patch most likely changed that little linking entry.

If you lost this capability in just that folder...said folder got corrupted. If you lost it computer wide, registry entry got changed.

[Roy]

Mspencer, Thanks. I tried the new folder and delete old folder after copying all files to new folder. Got the same response for the preview, none.

Here's the patches that got installed yesterday. Copied from most recent updates. I don't know what they did. I think most of them are security updates.


Review your Update History
You have not yet installed updates from this website or by turning on automatic updating on your computer. To select and install updates now, go to our Home page. Review your Update History
If an update failed to install, click the Failed icon to learn how to solve the problem.

Note: To remove an update, go to Add and Remove Programs in your Control Panel.


Windows 2000 Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - October 2005 (KB890830) Wednesday, October 26, 2005 Automatic Updates
Windows 2000 Security Update for Windows 2000 (KB905414) Wednesday, October 26, 2005 Automatic Updates
Windows 2000 Security Update for Windows 2000 (KB905749) Wednesday, October 26, 2005 Automatic Updates
Windows 2000 Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 (KB896688) Wednesday, October 26, 2005 Automatic Updates
Windows 2000 Security Update for Windows 2000 (KB902400) Wednesday, October 26, 2005 Automatic Updates
Windows 2000 Security Update for Windows 2000 (KB901017) Wednesday, October 26, 2005 Automatic Updates
Windows 2000 Security Update for Windows 2000 (KB900725) Wednesday, October 26, 2005 Automatic Updates
Windows 2000 Security Update for Windows 2000 (KB899589) Wednesday, October 26, 2005 Automatic Updates
Windows 2000 Security Update for DirectX 9 for Windows 2000 (KB904706) Wednesday, October 26, 2005 Automatic Updates
Windows 2000 Security Update for Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 for Windows 2000 (KB905495) Wednesday, October 26, 2005 Automatic Updates

[mspencer]

Windows 2000 Security Update for DirectX 9 for Windows 2000 (KB904706)

was a fix for a problem where hackers were remotely gaining accesss through direct show, and is a probable source. All they would have done was reset the values in registry.

Here is a link that better describes the problem http://www.tech-pro.net/howto_011.html
And that link you posted should be able to help you out if the above doesn't.

[Roy]

That link I posted didn't make a difference. I tried it last night, rebooted and no change. I'll check out the link you posted. I'm about to give up on it though.

I've found Ifranview will let me view and open photoshop while in there for photo editing. I also have Canon ZoomBrowserEX which will let me use photoshop as an editor. Better than nothing although I'd still like to fix explorer like it was. I'll let you know if that link you provided is of any help.


The other thing that's be suggested to try is:

What I try next is IEFIX.
Have your Windows 2000 CD handy as you run this one. IEFIX, found with google.com performs many small actions at once and is what I do next.

[mspencer]

You know a trick that used to work with windows 98 but I have no idea if it works with the newer versions is to reinstall windows. NOT delete or format, it would detect the os and then make repairs. Honestly I think you'll prefer an aftermarket viewer, but it might be my hatred for MS speaking there :)

[Roy]

That didn't work either. Downloaded the thumbnail.reg and merged it.

I think I'll just try to get used to a different viewer. Your right, once I get used to it, I'll probably never think about the exporer viewer again. I know the Canon ZoomBrowserEX gives a lot more info for jpegs at least plus you can do other things from there.

Microsoft is making a mess of their own software with some of these updates. Doesn't make any sense to me.

Thanks for your help.

[mspencer]

I was reading the actual microsoft support site concerning this problem http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;192573
which says basically the same fix as that one site, however the support asked a silly question...do you have "view as a web page" enabled?