Folder options missing

Hello all. I just built my computer, and installed a copy of Windows XP I..."acquired", with service pack 3 slipped into it. Everything works fine, but a few folder options seem to be missing. Firstly, the "Common tasks" sidebar is gone. I've looked online, and all the sites say to just check the check box under tools. Well, it's checked, there's just no sidebar. Secondly, I'm missing a bunch of the folder radio buttons in the view panel. Lastly, when I'm going through My Pictures, and have Filmstrip view on, I don't get a large preview image, just small thumbs. Thanks in advance!

I installed a copy of Windows XP I..."acquired",

How pray tell did you "acquire" this copy?

Through a friend. Named Vuze. Why? Would that have something to do with it?

Sure, it could.

If your friend or you...downloaded an illegal copy of XP...there is the possibility of malware, along with dysfunctional symptoms within that version of XP.

Did you friend also give you a spare license to use XP?

In any case...it doesn't sound to me as "Everything works fine" at all.

Louis

One of our forum rules is "No subject matter will be allowed whose purpose is to defeat existing copyright or security measures." This means that if you have an illegal copy of Windows we can't help you. If you have a legal copy with a proper product code then we can, but is sound like you may not.

I hadn't thought about it before today...

But it occurs to me that those who attempt to download/utilize illegal/"free" copies of Windows...are making themselves more vulnerable to malware possibilities than those users who visit porn sites without a firewall, without an AV program, without Windows fully updated...without any defense mechanism whatever.

I'm sure that I'm not the first person who realized such...and I don't create malware as "something to do" or with malicious intent.

Louis

AHAH! Should have no more problems. Found my old Windows XP disk for my laptop. I'll just reinstall the OS, and update. So much for trying to streamline the process. Also, no more tinkering with nLite for me... I may have screwed myself over with that...

The nLite program, IMO, is the easiest way of creating an updated, slipstreamed CD.

Louis

See, that's what I tried. I tried adding the updates, and taking out what I didn't want, but maybe something went wrong...

Well...I look at Windows as a self-functioning whole...I don't remove anything, I only add when I use nLite.

I'm not smart enough to determine what should be taken out...and what should be left alone...on an operating system developed by others for users who are considered incapable of understanding the complexity of the product (e.g., Microsoft).

They are right, in my case, and I respect their abiltiy to make it work and I don't remove anything . If something bothers me once it's working, I know how to disable/eliminate such functions (e.g., Messenger, MSN, hibernation, etc.). No need for me to try to stop them before the O/S is installed, I have plenty of hard drive space and plenty of RAM.

Louis

Yeah, I think that'll be my plan from here on out too. No more messing with OS for me. I'll just get rid of MSN later...