Renamed user folder FUBAR

C

CanCrash

New Member
Hey All. I would consider myself to be an advanced user capable of doing many things in Vista. I was using PaintShopPro and when I went to save a file, in the save dialogue for the desktop I rt clicked->create new folder and started typing the name...somehow I hit a key and the new folder was not named but it selected the user folder on the desktop and renamed that to Mi. I can not rename it and have tried everything I can think of. Here are the symptoms. Lets say my user name is "Cool"

C:\users\Cool is the same in windows as the address Mi
C:\users\Cool = Mi\desktop
C:\users still shows Cool as the name of the user
cmd %username% shows Cool
cmd %userprofile% shows C:\users\Cool
Start menu user name in upper right shows Mi

Things tried:
rt click to rename - Fail
cmd dir C:\users\Cool\desktop did not yield Mi as a directory
Boot into ubuntu to rename file - since Mi is not actually a directory this failed
Changing username to Mi - fail because the user path is still C:\users\cool

Things considered -
copy user folder and delete Mi file on desktop and restore data
regedit user path to some new path with a copy of all the data, delete cool userfolder and mi folder then restore data and reset user path in registry

Any help is greatly appreciated.

CanCrash
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

Hi CanCrash,

Welcome to Vista Forums!

I have no idea if what I'm going to suggest here is going to work (and I'm not going to try it on my system as I don't want to have the same problem if it doesn't work), but since it's relatively easy and you're already in the boat, give the following a shot.

Right click on the desktop and select Personalize. Click Change Desktop Icons. Uncheck all the boxes and save it. Reboot. Now go back and click on Restore Default and see if that helps (assuming it contains the user folder - if not, check the box) or if it still says Mi. If so, uncheck the user folders box and save it and reboot. When you get back, go back to that screen and recheck the user folder box and see if it shows as Cool or Mi (hopefully Cool, but I'm far from certain).

If that doesn't work, check the c:\Users\<username>\Desktop folder in Windows Explorer and make sure it is a shade of green and does not look like a standard beige folder. If it is the standard beige folder, then use the following tutorial to fix that problem and that may also resolve your naming problem at the same time (and you need to fix this anyway if it is the standard beige folder): http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/90705-personal-user-shell-folders.html. If you need to make the fix, reboot when done and see if that resolved the problem. If it is greenish or the problem persists, then this is not the problem and read on.

If that isn't the case, try: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91188-shell-command.html and go to the option: shell:UsersFilesFolder. Create a shortcut on the desktop and, if it works as I believe it does, it SHOULD be Cool (and if not, it may have a rename option since it was created in a different way so you may be able to name it Cool if for some reason it shows up as Mi). Then you can remove the other icon (since it is a system icon, you may need to remove it as noted above, but you should now have an icon on your desktop with your proper name). This is more of a workaround than a fix (and again, I offer no guarantees), but it's worth a try. It may even replace the system icon that is there - but I've never tried it so I'm not certain.

I hope one of these options helps or works.

Good luck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
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    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
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    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
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    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
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    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
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    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
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    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
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    Internet Speed
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    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

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    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
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    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
Hi Lorien

Thank you for the warm welcome and Help. No program errors have presented and as such I supposed technically it is not "Broken" but the data are incorrect. I have attached a screenshot of the issue which should give a better idea of the issue, better than I can explain.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e266/MachJok/problem3.jpg

This has become an exercise in understanding how windows handles this information. I even tried to edit the profile description to see if that would alter anything.

I would like all the paths to be correct. It is confusing to see two addresses lead to the same place and I wonder how that is even possible.

Thanks again!

Crash
 

My Computer

System One

Hi CanCrash,

I thought you were talking about the User Folder icon ON your desktop, not the one in the folders view in Windows Explorer. That's different and will require further study. And the thing is I think it isn't two different paths but rather two different names leading to the same path - similar to making two shortcuts to the same program.

From the screenshots, I notice that the Desktop folder icon is Greenish, so you can ignore that suggestion as it is clearly not applicable.

Since it isn't the desktop shortcut (does that say CaptCrash or Mi? - it could give us a clue as to where it is coming from), then the third suggestion doesn't apply as we are no longer trying to create a desktop icon as I had first believed. But this article may still hold the key - though I'm not sure how exactly to apply it.

Thanks for the screenshot that clarified things. I honestly do not know how to fix the problem at this time, but I intend to research it. In the meantime, perhaps someone else who has seen this before and knows the answer will respond to this thread. I will let you know if I find anything of value or any options to try.

One that might possibly work would be to consider the user profile as corrupt and create a new one and transfer the appropriate data. I suspect then things for that user would return to normal (or it may do no good if the information is contained in what we transfer and moves the problem to the new account - I don't know because I don't know where it is coming from). If you want to give this a shot, use http://windows.microsoft.com/en-AU/windows-vista/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile.

Otherwise, I will get back to you if I learn anything or see any other activity in this thread.

Thanks and good luck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
Hi Lorien!

There is a possibility that the account is corrupt. One of the concerns is the user selected on some program installations to have the program available to only that user "Only me" profile.

The problem was user created when using paintshop pro to create a new folder on the desktop during a save and subsequently some keystroke was hit to de-select the new folder, select the user folder and rename it to mi, which then caused the issue in the start bar and explorer window, see post 1 for the symptoms. The folder on the desktop is named "mi"

Thanks again for all the help

Crash

Edit: A full system back up has been made already so there is no risk of data loss
 

My Computer

System One

Hi CanCrash,

Using the corrupt profile repair procedure will NOT affect programs installed for use by only that user. The "new" user will be able to access and use those programs because we are tranferring almost the entire user profile (except I believe for 3 files).

Thanks for the additional information - I suspected the desktop icon would be Mi also. Knowing they are tied together may help find the source of that name.

Good luck!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inc. MP061 Inspiron E1705
    CPU
    2.00 gigahertz Intel Core 2 Duo 64 kilobyte primary memory
    Motherboard
    Board: Dell Inc. 0YD479 Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
    Memory
    2046 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM) [Di
    Sound Card
    SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP Monitor (17.2"vis)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200 pixels
    Hard Drives
    Hitachi HTS541616J9SA00 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n SB2411SJGLLRMB, rev SB4OC74P, SMART Status: Healthy
    Case
    Chassis Serial Number: 5YK95C1
    Keyboard
    Standard PS/2 Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech HID-compliant Cordless Mouse
    Internet Speed
    1958 Kbps download ; 754.8 Kbps upload
    Other Info
    Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5540A ATA Device [CD-ROM drive]

    Dell AIO Printer A940

    Conexant HDA D110 MDC V.92 Modem

    6TO4 Adapter
    Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller
    Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter
    Microsoft ISATAP Adapter
    Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface

    Router Linksys / WRT54G -01
Hi,

Sorry if I'm on the wrong track here.

Go to control panel
User accounts
Then rename that "Mi" account back to "Cool".

You could also try to change it to something else & then back to Cool?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP-Pavilion m9280.uk-a
    CPU
    2.30 gigahertz AMD Phenom 9600 Quad-Core
    Motherboard
    ASUSTek Computer INC. NARRA3 3.02
    Memory
    3582 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory (4 Gig)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS NVIDIA Geforce GTS450
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition 7.1 Audio (HP drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2408 24.0" (Dual monitor)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 * 1200, 1920 * 1200
    Hard Drives
    3*500 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
    Plus 2x USB (160Gig each) external HDD
    BluRay & DVD Weiters
    HL-DT-ST BD-RE GGW-H20L SCSI CdRom (Bluray RW) Device
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    TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-H653N SCSI CdRom
    Internet Speed
    40 Meg
Hi Lottiemansion. Thanks for the suggestion!

The account name was never changed. Which is the odd thing. I did an account transfer and some programs are not functioning. I am prepping to do a full system restore now to do some winter cleaning and get rid of all the accumulated crud.
 

My Computer

System One

OK,

Even thought the account wasn't changed, what you have shown (Pictures) is what happens when you do change it.

So change it & then change it again to Cool & all should be well. ~ It would be nice to know if it does sort it out!

If you are doing the cleaning for this reason only I'm not sure you need to. When all said & done, it is your choice what actions you take.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP-Pavilion m9280.uk-a
    CPU
    2.30 gigahertz AMD Phenom 9600 Quad-Core
    Motherboard
    ASUSTek Computer INC. NARRA3 3.02
    Memory
    3582 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory (4 Gig)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS NVIDIA Geforce GTS450
    Sound Card
    Realtek High Definition 7.1 Audio (HP drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    HP w2408 24.0" (Dual monitor)
    Screen Resolution
    1920 * 1200, 1920 * 1200
    Hard Drives
    3*500 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
    Plus 2x USB (160Gig each) external HDD
    BluRay & DVD Weiters
    HL-DT-ST BD-RE GGW-H20L SCSI CdRom (Bluray RW) Device
    AlViDrv BDDVDROM SCSI CdRom (Blueray) Device
    TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-H653N SCSI CdRom
    Internet Speed
    40 Meg
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