Lost Favorites & IE6

I had to reinstall Windows and lost all my Fav's and IE6 I know all the programs are still on my computer but how do I restore them?

 

Hi Harpost
It would help to know what O/S you're running, but I'd go to windows updates to get back IE6. For your favorites, do a search for files and folders, and see if they're still on your system.

Daizy

 

Hi Daizy,

I know about downloading IE6 but it and my favorites folder is still on my HD somewhere, I'm trying to somehow recover everything including the rest of of my program files. I'm running Win ME over 98 (there are no restore points). Thanks

 

The favs folder in 9x is in Windows\favorites and I think is a default hidden file. To view: go to tools/view in XP (in 9x I think the folder options are accessed thru the control panel) and you will see the option to view hidden files/folders.

If you have re-installed windows again, I'm afraid that the install replaced your original folder.

The same thing happened to IE6, since its not part of the original 9x OS.

In the future: if you have a burner/second drive, backup on some schedule:

Data files

Those parts of Windows that you are updating, such as your favorites, hot fixes, and updates to major components.


Regards - Charles

 

Charles,

I found most of my favorites in Windows (the ones I had placed in designated folders at least) Now how do I make it so they appear on the list in IE6 which I re installed?

(running Windows ME over 98)

thank you!

 

Hello Harpost,

To have the fav folder accessible to Window Explorer:

Bring up the (C) drive through "my computer" > tools > folder options > view tab:

under "hidden files and folders ", click on "show hidden files and folders ". This will enable access to the favorite folder. Then simply copy the favorites you saved to the windows favorite folder. If you feel uncomfortable with having access to these "hidden" files, turn the feature off after you are done.

I know this works because I run a daul boot system - ME/XP - and I trade favorites between the two all the time.

Regards - Charles

 

Hi Charles,

What do you mean by "copy" please explain. Also (and I know this doesn't belong on this post) How do I restore my programs to be listed on the Start Menu? they are not listed there like they were.

Thank you again

 

Hello Harry,

The favorites folder is the least of your problems right now!

When you reloaded the OS, the OS loaded a new program folder to your hard drive w/o the programs you have installed since. Even if those programs were there, it wouldn't do any good. They have to be re-installed since Windows doesn't "know" about them.

Programs on most consumer machines (Dell - Sony - Compaq, etc) come from:

1. OS programs - the software collectively known as Windows (IE6 for example).

2. Vendor add-ons such as media players (realplayer for example).
These add-on programs were installed for you by the Vendor prior your reciept of the computer and therefore were registered to the Windows you had prior to your re-install of the new OS. Along with a copy of Windows which you got from your Vendor (I presume), you also should have a cd-rom of these add-on programs for re-install purposes from the Vendor.

3. Programs YOU have installed, either from a cd-rom or downloaded.

Items 2 & 3 above are not the the executable objects which end up in the Program folder (with some exceptions, which I won't go into now), but the software which creates it. After this mess is over, this is what should be backed up - on removable media as well as on some folder on the drive labeled as such. I back up anything I don't have a cd-rom for on a re-writeable cd burner. If you haven't got one, get one, and learn how to use it. Backing up the stuff in the Program folder (executable objects) would be pointless.

You must RE-INSTALL items 2 & 3 above. Then they will show up in the Program folder and on the start menu.

You re-installed Windows - a large piece of software - because something went wrong, well you also have to re-install all your other software as well. Works the same way.

Regards - Charles

 

Thanks again for the advice, this BBS is the best!