Problems w/right-click menu

I'm using Win 98 SE and having some problems with the Context menu, the menu which pops-up when right-clicking the mouse button.
First, it didn't display the option of "New" file or folder. At the same time, the "Send To" option, which is actually available, just didn't show. It's an empty field with an arrow, and while pointing on that arrow, the context of the "Send To" folder is displayed properly.
So, in order to create a new folder on my desktop, I have to open Windows Explorer, then click on the File menu, and again, I see 2 empty fields with arrows, which supposed to be the "New" and "Send To" fields according to the folders showing while pointing on the arrows.
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find such issues at support.microsoft.com site.
Any suggestions please?

Thank you,

 

Follow up...

As a follow up to my posting, I have found a page http://www.windows-help.net/windows95/troub-44.shtml
which describe a similar problem in Win 95.

No "New" on the right-click context menu
Sometimes you can loose the "New" option on the right-click context menu. This seems to be related to the presence of Internet Explorer 4.x. To restore this option:


Start the Registry Editor
Go to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Directory \ Background \ shellex \ ContextMenuHandlers \ New \
The value for (Default) in the right-hand pane should be:

{D969A300-E7FF-11d0-A93B-00A0C90F2719}

Unfortunately the registry patch provided, didn't solve my problem.
Hopefully, that patch didn't add some complications to my registry.

 

1) This is a quote from John Woram's "The Windows 98 Registry - A Survival Guide for Users "

2) "Hopefully, that patch didn't add some complications to my registry." No, it didn't.

3) I'm confused about your reference to Send To. Yes, it is part of the right click context menu but not when clicking on the desktop - 'What are we sending?' Mind you, I ripped out a lot of rubbish from the New sub-menu a long time ago.

4) Cannot help much on Explorer - I stopped using that nearly four years ago - didn't take to it from the off.

 

I wonder if this is one of those problems that can be caused by tweakui. If you have switches disabled that should be enabled various problems can pop up.

Make sure all your drives are enabled and on the "my computer" tab and the proper/prefered enables are reflected on the IE tab. I have all checked except "clear document, run, type..yada-yada.

Just a passing thought....

If this is recent you may want to make sure this isn't a botched or missing key in the registry by restoring a registry backup. (scanreg /restore after a "restart in dosmode" will offer dates, pick one that predates the problem.

NOTE*Anything that you have installed after the dated backup, will have to installed again.

 

You're right gammaepsilon, the "Send To" is unavailable on desktop. I just mention this 2 problematic items to describe the problem. BTW, my right-click menu is identical when clicking on the desktop or inside the folder. In both cases there is no "New" nor "Send To ".

The short answer is no. All my drives are enabled, etc., etc.
I do think that the problems are registry related... So, maybe someone knows where exectly I have to look for these problems.

 

There wouldn't be a 'Send To' inside a folder either - you'd need to right click on an item ie a file or folder.

“I do think that the problems are registry related... "

Why not?

I rarely use 'New' so a corrupted registry may go unnoticed for sometime and therefore outside the scope of the normal five backups and, perhaps, even 10 which is my m.o.

If this is a recent phenomenon I'd be inclined to consider goddez1's suggestion of a reg restore.

If not a registry problem then you may have a corrupted shell32.dll.

 

corrupted shell32.dll

Any advise on how to replace/repair the shell32.dll file.

BTW, I have found this article on microsoft support:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;180257
Unfortunately, it didn't solve my problem.

 

I really think you should consider trying different dated registry backups as opposed to replacing files. That way you can at least confirm whether it is registry related or software related. It only takes a minute or two and can be reversed if the older reg didn't help.

NOTE*For safety: Copy any exising rbxxx.cab, you have now, to a separate folder holder {name of choice}. That way you don't risk over writing any dated backups and losing them permanently. You can always replace or use the backed-up backups.

But if you really want to replace shell32.dll here ya' go:

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3792&highlight=replace+shell32.dll

See Zephyr's thread in the above ^.

 

Thailand_4_YOU

That MS article results in the same as the patch you mentioned in your second post. The 'Windows Desktop Update' referred to shipped with 98SE if not FE but not 95.

I'm still inclined to goddez1's tack first then move onto shell32.dll.

goddez1

How about a pincer movewent? You come at T_4_YOU from one side and I'll come in from t'other.

 

Have you looked in the C:\Windows\Send To folder? Anything there, any files marked as Hidden?
Give this shot, I admit it is a long shot. Restart in Dos Mode and do this command;
scanreg /fix
This can repair the registry, and may take a bit of time, or may not.

 

SendTo folder

Thanks for your thoughts markp62.
Following your suggestion, I found a strange file "desktop.ini" in my SendTo folder, which looks half visible. Its content is as follows:
_________________________________________________

[.ShellClassInfo]
ConfirmFileOp=0

[{8BEBB290-52D0-11d0-B7F4-00C04FD706EC}]
MenuName=T&humbnails
ToolTipText=T&humbnails
HelpText=Displays items using thumbnail view.
Attributes=0x60000000

[ExtShellFolderViews]
{8BEBB290-52D0-11d0-B7F4-00C04FD706EC}={8BEBB290-52D0-11d0-B7F4-00C04FD706EC}
_________________________________________________

Any ideas?
The other stuff in that folder is also looks like mess.


I will try the "scanreg /fix" as well.
BTW, replacing the "shell32.dll" didn't helped.

Sorry gammaepsilon, I'm not clear on your question.

 

Needs to be there if you want the option to send something to your desktop by right clicking.