Recycle Bin File Type Issue

[Chrisb41]

Windows XP SP3 computer.

Customer installed a few regfixit/cleanmycomputernow programs etc.

Started a general clean up and removed everything easily, looks like it didn't actually do to much damage.

One thing I can't seem to fix however is the Recycle Bin, when you open the icon on the desktop it asks which program you want to use to open it.
I am not aware of a program to do that.
I applied the general corrupted recycle bin fixes from Microsoft, running scripts and manually removing the various folders and changing reg entries. Still no change, I went into disk clean up and it says 1KB in the Recycle bin and when you click view files it says to set the file type in the control panel.

There are no restore points before the issue occurred on this computer.

Any ideas? I did a lot of research online and it seems like nobody has ever had this sort of error.

 

[JustInspired]

Have you turned off the recycle bin icon, reboot and turn it back on?
Run Tweaking AIO Repair?

 

[Tech Savvy]

For a program I would say windows explorer, but i would exhaust all possibilities of fixing a corruption first... Try the tweaking aio like just inspired said.

 

[AndyM]

I'm sure you've tried it, but...

Try right-clicking your desktop and selecting "properties." On the window that comes up, select the "desktop" tab, then click "customize desktop." On the next window, select "recycle bin (full)" and click "restore default," then repeat with "recycle bin (empty)."

If that doesn't work, when using Tweak UI, just left-click "desktop" (NOT the plus sign next to it) and you'll be presented with a list of possible desktop options. Just make sure that Recycle Bin is checked. You can also click "repair" in Tweak UI, then select "rebuild icons" from the drop-down menu and click "repair now."

TweakUI and other XP Programs from Microsoft

Andy

 

[Chrisb41]

What I have tried is the direct equivalent of TweakUI via the registry but I will give that a try anyway.

Its just I am not sure how to treat it, do I treat it as a corrupted recycle bin or a file type issue?

I can get the Recycle bin restored correctly but just can't open it.

 

[Vicenarian]

If there's no data of value in the Recycle Bin, maybe try deleting the Recycle Bin folder on C:\ ($Recycle.bin)

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/recycle-bin-is-corrupted-windows

 

[Chrisb41]

If there's no data of value in the Recycle Bin, maybe try deleting the Recycle Bin folder on C:\ ($Recycle.bin)

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/recycle-bin-is-corrupted-windows

One of the first things I tried, I just tried a few things with TweakUI and it didn't change anything.

So I am back to square one basically. There's a value somewhere in the registry to fix this I know it but which one.

I think I am going to get a known working XP box and do some comparing at some common keys related to the recycle bin and file types.

Keep posting ideas however.

 

[B Trevathan]

You can't even right click on the Recycle Bin on the desktop and click open or explore or listed the properties?

The Recycle Bin should be on the desktop but do you have the RECYCLER folder in C:\?

I think the registry file windows uses is:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Clsid\{645FF040-5081-101b-9F08-0AA002F954E}\
you will see in the DefaultIcon key a listing for Empty and Full if it is the right place, was it running norton AV?

 

[Chrisb41]

You can't even right click on the Recycle Bin on the desktop and click open or explore or listed the properties?

The Recycle Bin should be on the desktop but do you have the RECYCLER folder in C:\?

I think the registry file windows uses is:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Clsid\{645FF040-5081-101b-9F08-0AA002F954E}\
you will see in the DefaultIcon key a listing for Empty and Full if it is the right place, was it running norton AV?

Can't even right click it, its a "dead" image.

The Recycler folder is there also.

I will have a look at that key but I am pretty sure I already looked at it for one of the normal fixes.

Norton has never been on it.

 

[B Trevathan]

Can't even right click it, its a "dead" image.

The Recycler folder is there also.

I will have a look at that key but I am pretty sure I already looked at it for one of the normal fixes.

Norton has never been on it.

Sounds like the whole key then needs to be replaced......
Try going here and scroll down to line 64 and in the right hand pane download: Replace/Repair the Recycle Bin in Windows XP and merge it into the registry

If norton had been install at one time it might have left a open/run command under the Shell key.
For example if you have CCleaner installed you will see under the Shell key:
Open CCleaner
Run CCleaner
and if the registry cleaner had removed just the norton run/open command under the shell key then double-clicking on the Recycle bin wouldn't have done anything, for example:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Clsid\{645FF040-5081-101b-9F08-0AA002F954E}\Shell\Norton unerase
Does that make any sense, sorry I'm in a hurry? Make sure to restart after the merge of the key.




Edit: Wanted to add....

Does the Recycle bin open in Safe Mode? Can you right-click it in Safe mode?

Are you sure you have removed all the crapware (PUP) and malware? A lot of AV scans don't remove PUPs automatically (I dont know how you do your "general clean up" or what software you use).

Under the RECYCLER folder in C:\ does each user have a Recycle bin folder? You should see at least one folder in the RECYCLER folder with a recycle bin icon and with a user name starting like S-1-5-21..... can you open any of these folders?

 

[Chrisb41]

Sounds like the whole key then needs to be replaced......
Try going here and scroll down to line 64 and in the right hand pane download: Replace/Repair the Recycle Bin in Windows XP and merge it into the registry

If norton had been install at one time it might have left a open/run command under the Shell key.
For example if you have CCleaner installed you will see under the Shell key:
Open CCleaner
Run CCleaner
and if the registry cleaner had removed just the norton run/open command under the shell key then double-clicking on the Recycle bin wouldn't have done anything, for example:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Clsid\{645FF040-5081-101b-9F08-0AA002F954E}\Shell\Norton unerase
Does that make any sense, sorry I'm in a hurry? Make sure to restart after the merge of the key.




Edit: Wanted to add....

Does the Recycle bin open in Safe Mode? Can you right-click it in Safe mode?

Are you sure you have removed all the crapware (PUP) and malware? A lot of AV scans don't remove PUPs automatically (I dont know how you do your "general clean up" or what software you use).

Under the RECYCLER folder in C:\ does each user have a Recycle bin folder? You should see at least one folder in the RECYCLER folder with a recycle bin icon and with a user name starting like S-1-5-21..... can you open any of these folders?

Yeah I kind of get what you mean, my research is kind of in that same area.

I shall take a look at the registry a little more. As for the shell thing I think it's related but at the same time its not, if that makes sense lol. If you saw the problem yourself it would make more sense.

When I am back in front of the PC I am going to get a few more technical details and post exactly what it looks like and what it is doing.

As for a full clean up, I have covered most common things, but that's what I am currently focusing on in case I missed something but if I did it is hidden really well.
Full malware/virus and root kit checks. Not a one tool job/fix.

 

[Chrisb41]

Sorry for no more replies on this, I have been away from my job.

So long story short, still not fixed but customer has decided to upgrade to a new system because of XP EOL.

Thanks for the help anyway.