compter hard drives not working?

[imkool]

Im having trouble with my C and E drive. I use to be able to access it by double clicking on it but now when I do that, a pop up appears and says “c:\ is not a valid win32 application. The only way for me to open it now is to right click on the drive and click “open”. It is also the same with my Usb’s.
Is there anyway for me to fix it? Help please im desperate.

[jimmalenko]

I had this problem a couple of months ago and I believe it was related to either a virus or some botched registry entries.

[TJohns]

Sounds like the default association's been lost for drive-like devices. Save the following into a file named DRIVE.REG & double-click it to import the settings.
--- cut here ---
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell]
@="Open"
--- cut here ---

Trevor

[imkool]

so first i have to find the file DRIVE.REG and than copy and paste that in to the file. correct? what if i cant find it? do u know the approximate whereabouts for it?

i just tried searching for it and i cant seem to find it. mayb thats why it isnt opening?

[Bjs]

Part A:

Remove any usb device connected ... correctly .
Right click on drive , properties , tools > scandisk .
Restart system
System will run scandisk prior to re-entry of os .
Confirm issue remains .

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Part B:

chkdsk /f at run command .

F is to fix issues .

You can specify drives as : chkdsk d: /f

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Part C:

System drivers issue :

Enter control panel > system > hardware tab > device manager
Open universal serial buss controllers
Uninstall devices , starting with last , and moving upwards
Finally , remove universal serial buss controllers from list
Answer no to any system requests to restart .

Go to

Dvd/cd-rom drives
Repeat same as for above
Uninstall devices listed from last to first
Remove main group from list
No to system restart

Go to

Ide ata/atapi controllers , and repeat .

Go to

Scsi and raid controllers , and repeat

Now restart system

System will once again detect devices and reinstall drivers , reboot will take place once more

Try C again .

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Part D: Hunting for nasties

Install avg free , update , and let it scan ... any thing found should be removed from virus vault after , or denial of service may result when trying to connect to internet .

Download hijackthis , run scan , save log , after avg has done its job .

Adaware se can be included .

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Part E: To restore the registry : ms help

1. Open Registry Editor

2. Click Options, and then click Print to print these instructions. (If you are using the Help and Support Center, click Print above the topic area.) They will not be available after you shut down your computer in step 2.

3. Click Start, and then click Shut Down.

4. In the list, click Restart, and then click OK.

5.When you see the message Please select the operating system to start, press F8.

6. Use the arrow keys to highlight Last Known Good Configuration, and then press ENTER.

NUM LOCK must be off before the arrow keys on the numeric keypad will function.

7. Use the arrow keys to highlight an operating system, and then press ENTER.

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Sounds more like registry corruption has occurred caused by external drives on usb .

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm ... tips on registry recovery .

[imkool]

wow that sure alot of thing to go though just for this. r u sure there ant any easier ways? May input sum binary numbers in one of the registry editor's folder?

[Bjs]

Many variables exist between systems when considering the fault could be in the "registry" or "driver fault" , or both .

Just editing registry takes time as information relating to drive letter assignment and file's , exist in many area's ... get it wrong , and the system my no longer be able to boot up .

Try E first , then C , rather than messing about with registry considering issue may have been caused by external drive's .

D is something you should be aware .

A is basic common sense , B follows , and part of that should be to defrag once in a while , even if xp says no need , do it anyway before you get bit by "crc" error's ... these should be part of a general maintenance schedule .

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Fast method :

Use system restore point prior to issue will fix problem , but I'll warn you now that any program installed after the restore point date will no longer function as xp will null all executable's related to these program's ... they will need to be uninstalled , reboot , and reinstalled to repair ... a lot of work .

[jimmalenko]

Fast method:

Find the fix I found.

[guns1inger]

Some further reading - may or may not help

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070711001306AAxzORJ

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132164 - see final post

Most of the drive related (as opposed to program related) references are for optical drives, not HDDs.