User Profile Problems

[DerRickster]

I have two different profiles on my computer (local use only) and the second profile doesn't display the icons associated with the program that it is registered with. What can be the friggin problem. Also some of my programs doesn't work either...like MMM+ (it's a context menu enhancer) What do I need to do to fix this.

[Mordac85]

The quick and easy way is to log in as an admin other than the account you're having problems with, and rename the top level profile directory under C:\Documents and Settings. Then log in as the troubled account and see if that did the trick. If not you can reverse the procedure and restore the original.

Also, you may want to see if the apps you're having problems with are installed under the user's profile. Some apps install themselves under the user profile of the account that ran the install. Our SAP client is like this and it's apain in the rear. Check under Docs & Settings for the program folder under the profiles Start Menu directories. If that's the case you should only need to re-run the installer under the fubarred acocunt to restore the settings.

[DerRickster]

The quick and easy way is to log in as an admin other than the account you're having problems with, and rename the top level profile directory under C:\Documents and Settings.

Im having a hard time in understanding the 'top level profile' Please explain. Now I have My Documents, My Pictures and My Music on a different Partition...that wouldn't matter would it?

[Mordac85]

No, that shouldn't matter for this test b/c you can re-home those special folders. You just may need to restore that pointer when you're done.

The main profile directory is C:\Documents and Settings. Under that should be a folder for every account that has logged into the system, and a few hidden system folders. What you need to do is log in under another admin account. Cruise to C:\Documents and Settings and rename the problem folder, say Mordac85, to something else like Mordac85.old.

So when the account logs in again, the Mordac85 profile directory referenced in the registry (in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList\<Account SID>\ProfileImagePath) is not there and Windows creates a fresh one using the hidden folder C:\Documents and Settings\Default Users as a template.

That's the simple way to troubleshoot a corrupt profile. If the new profile doesn't fix things you could log in under the other admin account and copy the working profile to Default Users. Go to Sysptem Properties, Advanced tab under User Profile settings to copy it. Then re-create the other profile as before. Just remember to set the 'Permitted to use' to Everyone when copying over the Default Users profile or you'll run into other issues.

[DerRickster]

Ok I'll try it. You're profile picture reminds me of a Drill Sargent i had in a different platoon back in 86. He was a black man with very dark skin. He was standing under a tree in the shade smiling and the only thing you could see was his eyes and his teeth. I think he knew that.