"My computer" window does not allow direct access to drives Options

[sleeja]

I have a, ca. 2 year old, MDG computer, P4, 2GB RAM, Win XP Professional.

In the past several weeks I have been unable to access any of the drives listed on the "My computer" window.

USED TO BE that when I clicked on a drive, a window related exactly to the (clicked)drive opened up. If there was data on the drive, the opened window listed files on the drive. If the drive (e.g., a blank CD) had no data on it, an empty window related exactly to the clicked drive opened up.

NOW when I click on a drive, the window that appears is that for "Search Results" i.e., the same window that opens up if I click "Search" on my "Start" menu.

Does anyone know how i can get rid of this very annoying situation?


On another subject (unrelated to that above), I have just installed Dragon Natrurally Speaking 9 (Preferred). I cannot talk to the software. Seems as though the input from the microphone is not being received. I have tried two different microphones with the same (negative) result so I doubt that the problem is with the microphone(s).

Any ideas about how to fix this problem would be appreciated.

[theurgy]

When you say you can't access your drives, are these actual physical drives on your computer (like the C: drive) or network drives?
What particular drives are having this issue?
Are you trying to access them from your My Computer or from the Windows Explorer?

As for your Microphone, first thing... check that the microphone is properly connected to the mic jack in the back of your PC. Then check that the mic is not muted in your advanced volume control panel (double click the volume icon).

I have a, ca. 2 year old, MDG computer, P4, 2GB RAM, Win XP Professional.

In the past several weeks I have been unable to access any of the drives listed on the "My computer" window.

USED TO BE that when I clicked on a drive, a window related exactly to the (clicked)drive opened up. If there was data on the drive, the opened window listed files on the drive. If the drive (e.g., a blank CD) had no data on it, an empty window related exactly to the clicked drive opened up.

NOW when I click on a drive, the window that appears is that for "Search Results" i.e., the same window that opens up if I click "Search" on my "Start" menu.

Does anyone know how i can get rid of this very annoying situation?


On another subject (unrelated to that above), I have just installed Dragon Natrurally Speaking 9 (Preferred). I cannot talk to the software. Seems as though the input from the microphone is not being received. I have tried two different microphones with the same (negative) result so I doubt that the problem is with the microphone(s).

Any ideas about how to fix this problem would be appreciated.

[sleeja]

In response to theurgy's questions:

When I open the "My Computer" screen, five drives are listed. i) C drive, main hard drive ii) D drive, DVD drive ii) E drive, DVD-RAM drive iv) F drive, external backup hard drive v) G drive, SanDisk card reader.

When I click on ANY of the above drives, on the "My Computer" screen, I get the previously described result, i.e., The "Search Results" window opens INSTEAD of the EXPECTED window that would pertain exactly to the clicked drive and would list files that reside on the clicked drive.

Re. the microphone, it IS plugged in correctly. I looked in "Control Panel" under "Sounds and Audio Devices" in BOTH the "Audio" and the "Voice" tabs but, after double clicking "Volume", could NOT find a "mute" box to check. Could you be more specific about how to find the advance volume control panel?

[Andy]

1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
2. Locate and then click the Default value under the following key in the registry: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
3. Click Modify on the Edit menu.
4. Type none (the four letter word) in the Value data box, and then click OK.
5. Quit Registry Editor.

http://www.ottawaforums.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1717
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321186/en-us

[theurgy]

To access the advanced volume control, simply double click the speaker icon in the bottom right of your screen. You might need to click Options and then Properties and check off the Microphone entry to have it's control display.
Here's some more infromation: http://www.skype.com/help/guides/soundsetup_xp.html

[Mr. DOS]

For the mic, you might also need to go into the Recording section of the Volume Control and make sure the mic input is selected. To do that:
1. Go Start, Run, sndvol32 /r.
2. Make sure Microphone is Selected.
3. Move the volume slider for Microphone all the way to the top.
4. Close the Volume Control.

Also, Microphone Boost may need to be enabled for you to be able to actually hear mic input. To enable that:
1. Repeat steps one through three above.
2. Go Options, and make sure Advanced Controls is checked.
3. Click the Advanced button in the Microphone column.
4. Make sure 1 Microphone Boost is checked.
5. Click Close.
6. Close the Volume Control.

--- Mr. DOS