Low memory affecting thumbnail view in explorer?

[zoem]

A while ago I had an error on my PC saying that the c: drive was very low in memory. As a result, I went through a few steps of removing unused programs, defraging etc to clear up the drive. I now cannot see the thumbnails of pictures in windows explorer (i'm not sure whether this was as a result of the clean up or not). The thumbnails come up for a second and then go to the default blue icon.

I have followed all suggestions I can find on this forum and others such as checking folder options in explorer and in the performance settings, checking that windows photo gallery is default optionin registry editor etc etc and nothing has worked! Could the low memory on c:/ drive (a problem which has resurfaced again) be affecting this...?

Please help!

 

[wither 3]

When you open a folder containing pictures, select the down arrow next to View. Select medium or large icons. Does this help?

 

[zoem]

Nope. This doesn't change anything. I still can only see the standadrd blue icon.

 

[wither 3]

First, to your error message- what is the exact message? I don't know why it would report low "Memory" on a hard drive. Do you mean low "disc space".

Second, go to Control Panel\Default Programs. If you want Photo Gallery to be the default, Select Set your Default Programs. Click on Windows Photo Gallery and select Set this program as default.

Does this help?

 

[Shadowjk]

   Note

I am currently using Windows 7 however please be assured that the same options apply in Vista

When running disk cleanup you remove any cached thumbnails as well so save on disk space. This may be why you are missing your thumbnails however I am not 100% sure. Typically these will be cached again over time however it could be possible for windows to suppress this since it is running low on disk space

Just a thought,
Josh!

 

[zoem]

hi. Yes, it is 'low on disc space' rather than low in memory. Sorry - in my simple mind, it's the same thing!
Thanks for all these suggestions but I have tried them all numerous times and they haven't worked. That's why I'm wondering whether it's the low disc space - could this affect the viewing of thumbnails? They do appear when I first open the folder but then disappear within a second. If it was low disc space that was affecting it, why can I still see the thumbnails when I open windows gallery - shouldn't it affect that too?