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    Start Menu Problem with Vista

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by RazorPhoenicia, Apr 2, 2009.

  1. RazorPhoenicia

    RazorPhoenicia Notebook Enthusiast

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    I've having a really odd problem with the start menu on Vista Premium. The frequently used programs are all missing but all the links in the "All Programs" tab are intact. Furthermore, the system won't save any of my changes when I try and edit the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties.

    I have already run a complete scan for viruses and nothing came up. I have also tried system restore and used a restore point when this problem didn't emerge. I also made sure to download all the latest windows updates so I really have no clue what is happening here... Your help would be really appreciated.
     

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    RazorPhoenicia, Apr 2, 2009
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  2. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    try rightclick on the start menu -> properties - there is an option to show or not show the last used programmes....

    I hope its something simple like this for the "first part"
     
    DetlevCM, Apr 3, 2009
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  3. RazorPhoenicia

    RazorPhoenicia Notebook Enthusiast

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    Unfortunately that doesn't work for me. None of the settings will save. A possibility is that some of my registry might be corrupted and/or deleted. I tried running Registry Fix V7 but no luck. Any ideas? Thanks.
     
    RazorPhoenicia, Apr 5, 2009
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  4. goofball

    goofball Notebook Deity

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    Did you try another user account?
     
    goofball, Apr 5, 2009
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  5. RazorPhoenicia

    RazorPhoenicia Notebook Enthusiast

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    I only have one account - the admin account on my computer.
     
    RazorPhoenicia, Apr 6, 2009
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  6. goofball

    goofball Notebook Deity

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    So create another user account on the PC and give it a try.
     
    goofball, Apr 6, 2009
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  7. RazorPhoenicia

    RazorPhoenicia Notebook Enthusiast

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    Created another account... no luck... = (
     
    RazorPhoenicia, Apr 9, 2009
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  8. AKAJohnDoe

    AKAJohnDoe Mime with Tourette's

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    When you right-click on the Vista "orb", select Properties, and the Start Menu tab, what does it look like?
     
    AKAJohnDoe, Apr 9, 2009
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  9. RazorPhoenicia

    RazorPhoenicia Notebook Enthusiast

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    It looks something like this. I recognize that the internet and e-mail links at the bottom of the Custom Start Menu section should be checked but the problem is that the settings won't save no matter what I seem to do...
     

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    RazorPhoenicia, Apr 12, 2009
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  10. swarmer

    swarmer beep beep

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    System Restore.
     
    swarmer, Apr 12, 2009
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  11. AKAJohnDoe

    AKAJohnDoe Mime with Tourette's

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    Have you tried resetting it by clicking the Use Default Settings button, then clicking OK, then OK?
     
    AKAJohnDoe, Apr 12, 2009
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  12. RazorPhoenicia

    RazorPhoenicia Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes, I have tried working the menu AND system restore (to a point when I was certain that the problem wasn't there) yet it doesn't seem to do anything. I really don't want to reinstall Vista all over just for this so is there any other way?
     
    RazorPhoenicia, Apr 14, 2009
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  13. davepermen

    davepermen Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    maybe you have some wierd policy that restricts your startmenu? don't know policies on vista that well, but they got much expanded. check out hkey_current_user\software\policies (and all other places where you can find policies) with regedit for startmenu related entries.

    maybe some virus have written those policies to annoy you, so a vire-scan would help, too.
     
    davepermen, Apr 15, 2009
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  14. RazorPhoenicia

    RazorPhoenicia Notebook Enthusiast

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    The explorer policies only has the entry "NoDriveTypeAutorun". I get the feeling that something is indeed missing but I haven't been able to find any info describing a similar problem. I haven't been able to find any viruses using the latest version of Avast and Registry Fix didn't 'fix' the problem either. Does anyone know what the proper entries under HKEY Current User/Software/Microsoft/Windows/Current Version/Policies/Explorer are for Vista 32?
     
    RazorPhoenicia, Apr 17, 2009
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  15. decaPODA

    decaPODA Notebook Evangelist

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    second that.. would save you a hell lot of headache..if only u dont have much inp stuff on ur c-drive ..
     
    decaPODA, Apr 18, 2009
    #15