Windows Error 1324

PermaChanged · 16 Dec 2007 at 01:24

Hey guys,

When trying to install any programmes I get the error

"Error 1324. The folder path 'My Documents' contains an invalid character."

I had just recently sorted out my HDD's and in my D: drive I have just my documents and pictures and stuff I can't lose.

In the hdd along with the folder there was another file I deleted. Since then none of the shortcuts to pictures or documents on the start menu work and I can't install any programmes.

Thanks
Jonny

EternalMovement · 16 Dec 2007 at 01:51

I presume your on windows xp?

If you are download and install the MSI installer then reboot your system.

Hopefully that will fix the problems.

PermaChanged · 16 Dec 2007 at 01:56

Nope I'm on Vista, should have mentioned that sorry.

EternalMovement · 16 Dec 2007 at 02:07

I'm not sure what to suggest about the programs not installing but try this to fix the shortcuts in the meantime.

On the start Menu type regedit to be able to edit the registry.

Browse to

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\ Explorer\Shell Folders

in the registry and check its correct in there e.g D:\Documents

Backup your registry by selecting file > export before changing anything to be on the safe side.

You will probaly need to reboot after doing the above for it to take affect.

Have you tryed using the system restore if you have that turned on?

PermaChanged · 16 Dec 2007 at 02:12

It's not even listed there, nothing from the D: drive is. It has all defaulted to the F: drive so I set them back (F: is my DVD Drive) it hasn't helped the start menu shortcuts though.

The ones for my Music which is on my E: drive work fine just nothing linked to the D drive.

EternalMovement · 16 Dec 2007 at 02:21

Try setting the locations back to their defaults again then changing it back.

Right-click the folder/s on the start menu and select Properties. Click the Target tab and then click Restore Default. Click Apply and then click OK. Then set them back to where they really are stored.

PermaChanged · 16 Dec 2007 at 02:24

I think I've sorted it!

I created a new user account (User 2) and set its default folders to the same as I use on my proper account (User 1) when I set them on user 2 it asked me if I wanted to replace the .ini files which I did. I logged back to user 1 and now everything is working.

Now when I delte the User 2 account should I delete personal files or will those personal files be the same as user 1's personal files due to them using the same folders for documents, pictures, movies and videos etc?

Thanks

EternalMovement · 16 Dec 2007 at 02:34

Good to hear

Try setting the second user default folders back to the windows defaults now that everything seems ok then log back on to the first user to make sure things are still ok.

After that I think you will be fine to go ahead and delete everything to do with the second account.

Have you tryed installing any programs to see if thats fixed as well?

PermaChanged · 16 Dec 2007 at 02:42

Yup tried installing programmes, I'll set account 2 back to defaults and see if account 1 still works.

Thanks for the help

EternalMovement · 16 Dec 2007 at 02:43

Did the programs manage to install when you tried ^ ?

PermaChanged · 16 Dec 2007 at 02:45

Awesome, everything is back to how it should be

Thanks again,
Jonny

PermaChanged · 16 Dec 2007 at 02:45

Lunix said:
Did the programs manage to install when you tried ^ ?

I didn't fully install them, just went as far as past the error message

Let's hope they do install!

EDIT: Yup installed and working fine

EternalMovement · 16 Dec 2007 at 02:49

Brilliant, I'm surprised it was as easy as that to fix.

I bet your be more careful of deleting unknown files from now on I bet

PermaChanged · 16 Dec 2007 at 03:28

It was a file that was already there from my previous XP install, didn't realise how important it was. The strange thing is that file hasn't come back whilst the problem has been fixed.