Vista - How do I show a picture on a folder in an external hard drive

Let me start by saying that I am NOT computer savvy so if you can help me...please speak as if I were stupid because I probably am. LOL

I have an external hard drive (portable) that I have stored a bunch of digital scrapbooking kits on. When I plug it into my laptop, I can not figure out how to change the view of it so I can just put one "picture" on the folder. I need to know what is in each folder by looking at one picture on the icon and for the life of me, I can not get it to work. I right click, go to customize and choose file. I pick what I want on there and then click apply and it does not work. I am at a loss. Does anyone have any ideas for me. I can get it to work on something that is internal but not the external.

Again...remember...I need very step by step instructions because I do not understand all this computer lingo!

Thank you very much

To customize your folders, you have 2 options.

Folder picture: It add the choosen picture in your folder when your view option is set to display Tiles, medium/large/extra large icons.
Does not change your icon in details, list or small icon views.

Change Icon: To customize the folder icon, it is diplayed in any view options (2D).

I am sorry...I don't understand what this means...remember, I am totally computer illiterate when it comes to operating stuff. I am sorry!

Could you please explain what this means?

Thank you!

So you know how to go to customize, then in explorer click on/open the Views button.

I know how to change the size I am viewing but what I want to do is to choose something from that folder to have sticking out of the folder. It shows me blank white paper sticking out and I want to be able to see a specific paper that would have all the colors in the kit so I don't have to open every folder to see what is inside. Changing the size of the icon is not changing what I view. I have done the right click, properties, customize and choose file but I get nothing to happen. The external works fine on my desktop with XP but it will not work on the laptop with Vista. I can not find any information about this.

So just change the icon, not the folder picture, that would perform what you are looking for.

I have an external hard drive with the same problem.
what RMIx2 is asking for is how to customize the folder picture, not the icon.
for example: i have a music album and want the album cover as the folder picture.
if i try to customize the folder picture in the folder settings
(right click folder, click customize, then under folder picture click choose file)
that file would not show up.

so how can we get that picture to show up