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ScottRNelson
01-28-2008, 07:05 AM
After way too many years on a Windows ME system I've finally purchased a new home computer, which, of course, has Vista Home Premium (no choice there on the inexpensive new machines). I've been able to deal with most of the differences (read: stupid new Microsoft features), but one has me really stumped.

When a file is created as part of running some application, like gVim, or even Powerpoint (2000 SR-1, an older version), the file it creates will often be write protected. If I look at the file from a Cygwin window, it shows the protections as "----------" rather than "-rw-r--r--" as I would expect creating a file that I can read and write. My typical solution is to "cd" to the directory of the file and "chmod 777" or something, so that I can access it.

But it doesn't do this all the time. Testing it right now it seems to work as I would expect it. I've been through the tips at itsvista.com and found several good tips to fix other issues. If any of you can point me at other sites with good hints, or know how to fix this issue, I would appreciate it.

A bit more background: I have the computer set up with just one account and no need to log in. I don't use the desktop or default "Documents" area for file storage, but instead have a C:\Users area with names of family members, all different from the "official" account of srnelson.

It's been almost ten years since I left the Unix world and started using Windows of various flavors. At first I was cussing Microsoft several times an hour, then several times a day, eventually getting to the point of only complaining about stupid features once or twice a month. Now with Vista, I'm back to daily shaking of the head wondering what on earth they were thinking with this or that feature.

Any hints about how to get the program shortcuts off of my desktop and into a customized menu that I can pop up from the "Start" menu would also be appreciated. This is easy to do with Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows NT, and Windows XP, but not obvious for Vista. What were the Microsoft people thinking? :rolleyes

blackOnblack
01-28-2008, 04:43 PM
drag and drop?

do everyone a favor (yourself included) and get a copy of XP pro. I have a feeling Vista is going to be another ME.

ScottRNelson
01-28-2008, 04:53 PM
drag and drop?

do everyone a favor (yourself included) and get a copy of XP pro. I have a feeling Vista is going to be another ME.
I just hate to spend $60 plus shipping to upgrade my "bargain" computer to an operating system that works correctly.

And I was able to learn to live with ME. :p

blackOnblack
01-29-2008, 10:40 AM
I just hate to spend $60 plus shipping to upgrade my "bargain" computer to an operating system that works correctly.

And I was able to learn to live with ME. :p

yeah, but you hated it... and you know it! :)

ME was a joke.

what do you use your computer for? if you just use it for the basics and can live with XP HOME, PM me and i'll shoot you a valid product key.

ScottRNelson
01-29-2008, 02:05 PM
Any hints about how to get the program shortcuts off of my desktop and into a customized menu that I can pop up from the "Start" menu would also be appreciated. This is easy to do with Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows NT, and Windows XP, but not obvious for Vista. What were the Microsoft people thinking? :rolleyes
After looking around through a number of configuration menus I accidentally stumbled onto the way to make this happen, although I'm not sure I could do it again. I didn't take notes on how I got there. Someplace there is a choice for classic format or something, plus the choice to make the icons smaller, which I prefer.

So now I have almost everything off of the desktop except the recycle/wastebasket (okay) and the Internet Explorer icon (not okay). I can't remember what it took to make the IE icon disappear.

I'm still baffled about file protections, though.

ScottRNelson
01-29-2008, 07:03 PM
Okay, I think I have this figured out.

It appears that if I turn off User Account Control it now works the way that I want it to work.

I'm hoping this is the last thing that I have to fix to get the machine to work the way that I want it to.

Only one very minor annoyance left: I can't figure out how to make the Internet Explorer icon disappear from the desktop. All I want to see there is the Recycle bin.

santa
02-01-2008, 11:37 AM
Left click on Icon, [Delete].

Or, right click desktop>Personalize>Change Desktop Icons

If it doesn't work. Make sure you log in as an administrator and remove it from the desktop template.

ScottRNelson
02-01-2008, 11:57 AM
Left click on Icon, [Delete].

Or, right click desktop>Personalize>Change Desktop Icons

If it doesn't work. Make sure you log in as an administrator and remove it from the desktop template.
Works for everything but the IE icon.

I'll try to track down the desktop template, thanks.