HOUSTON CHRONICLE 10-17-06
HELP LINE
Text is blue, but no need to panic
Q:
I have noticed that some of my files have changed from black text to blue text. Why is this happening?A:
First of all, there is nothing to worry about. The blue text just means that the files or folders are compressed.When you run the Disk Cleanup Utility, there is an option to compress old files that you can either check or uncheck. If you have yours checked, then your system is automatically compressing older files to save disk space.
You can uncompress these folders or files at any time by right-clicking them and selecting Properties, then clicking on Advanced. In this window you can uncheck the box that says, "Compress contents to save disk space."
Compressed files can still be easily opened as needed. They just might be a little slower since the computer will have to decompress them before displaying them.
You can also turn off the option that changes the text color of compressed or encrypted files. Open any folder and select Tools, Folder Options and then View. From here just scroll down and find the check box that says, "Show encrypted or compressed files in color." Remove the check.
Q:
This morning when I turned my computer on, I got a message that said something like Windows can't load your profile - it may be corrupted. The computer is running Windows 2000, and this is the Administrator profile. I have another account with administrative access. Is there a way to fix or re-create the Administrator account?A:
In Windows XP and 2000, accounts can become corrupt. In most cases it's easy to delete and re-create the account, but not so with the Administrator account.I recently had a similar problem and applied the following fix I found at the JSI FAQ site run by Windows IT Pro magazine. To re-create the Administrator account in Windows 2000, create a new user and add it to the Administrator group. Once this is done, log off and log back in using the new account.
Click on Start, Run and type regedit and then navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
Look through the values of ProfilelmagePath SID sub-keys and find the one for the Administrator account and delete it and then exit Regedit.
Restart Windows and log back in using your recently created account and Windows will create a new Administrator account for the machine.
It worked like a champ!
Q:
When I open Windows Explorer, it defaults to the My Documents Folder. I would prefer it to open up my C drive. Can I change this? :A:
This is easily changed. Click Start, All Programs (or Programs if you are configured for the Classic Start Menu), Accessories and then right click on Windows Explorer. This will bring up the Properties menu.You will see a box that says Target and the text should read: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe.
Append that text so it reads: %SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /n, /e, /select, C:\ and then click OK.
Now when you open Windows Explorer, it will show the contents of your C drive.
You can set this to any folder you like by adding the path to that folder after C:\ in the Target box.
Write Jay Lee at helpline @
chron.com. You can view more questions and answers at the Help Line Blog at blogs.chron .com/helpline. Lee co-hosts the weekly radio show Technology Bytes from 8 to 10 p. m. Wednesdays on KPFT 90.1 FM. The program is also available online at www.geekradio.com. Lee cannot personally answer all rec-der questions.