Archive for August, 2011
SOLVED: Missing Microsoft Office 2007 Shortcut Icons
by Razvan on Aug.30, 2011, under Fix IT, Office, Software, Windows
About 2 weeks ago, I noticed that my Windows application shortcut icons were showing the default, “no type associated” icons for all of the Office-related documents. I could double-click one of these (such as a .pptx or .xls file) and it would open in the correct application, so the shortcut itself was working.. but the icons were the generic Windows icon:
I found a very detailed page describing various ways to try to fix the issue, and I tried all of them. None of these worked.
What did work, however, was completely quirky and inexplicable. I had to replace a directory under C:\Windows\Installer called:
{90120000-0012-0000-0000-0000000FF1CE}
Here’s how I stumbled upon this. I tried to change the default icon for Excel files by doing the following:
- I opened an Explorer window (
explorer.exe) - I clicked on Tools -> Folder Options -> File Types
- I scrolled down to XLS in the list and clicked on “Advanced”. I saw the following dialog:
- I clicked on “Change Icon”, and the following error message came up:
So the icon shortcuts were missing, because this weird directory was missing (probably some disk-cleaning tool I ran purged that directory to regain some space).
I found that directory on one of my other Windows laptops, copied it over, and now the Office document shortcut icons are working again.
Network profile switcher/manager
by Razvan on Aug.30, 2011, under Software, Windows
NetSetMan is a network settings manager which can easily switch between 6 different, visually structured profiles including:
Additionally only in the Pro version:
NetSetMan offers you what you’ve been missing in Windows until now: All settings and changes are saved automatically in a separate file (settings.ini) so a backup, transfer or upgrade to another version is absolutely no problem. With one click you can activate a stored profile!
NetSetMan is freeware for your non-commercial purposes. This means you can use it for free at home, at the university, at a non-commercial club, etc. as long as you don’t save paid time. Read the license agreement for further information. If you’d like to use it in a commercial way you need to buy NetSetMan Pro. This includes using it at work, on your company notebook or even on your own notebook if you use it to make money in any way. |
How to change MAC-Address in Windows Registry
by Razvan on Aug.30, 2011, under FAQ!, How to, Windows
MAC-Address is the hardware Network Address for the NIC which is unique for the system. However, there may be time when you need to change the MAC-Address for administrative purpose on a network. Some of the device drivers come with an option to change it from the device properties but not all (like my Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet Driver). For those who do not have the luxury of changing the MAC-Address from the device properties there is a way to do this by editing the Windows Registry.
To change MAC-Address for a Network card in Windows Registry:
1. Click Start – Run, type “regedit”
2. Navigate to
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318]
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
\SYSTEM
\CurrentControlSet
\Control
\Class
\{4D36E972-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
3. Under this key, you shoud see numbers in sequence as “0000?, “0001? and so on. Click on one at a time to check the description of the device to match it with that of your Network Card. In my case (0001)
4. Once found, in the right-pane, look for “NetworkAddress” key value. If you find it, right-click and select modify. Enter the desired MAC-Address as a 12 digit number (all in one, no “space” “.” or “-”)
5. If you don’t find the key, right-click in the rightpane, select “New” – “String Value”. Enter the name as “NetworkAddress”. Now modify and set the desired value.
6. Now, disable and enable the Network card from the ControlPanel – Network Connections.
This should reflect the new MAC-Address on your NIC. Should you choose to go back to the original manufacturer set MAC-Address simply delete the key you just created/modified in the Windows Registry.
You can also use a tool like Technitium MAC Address Changer to change the MAC-Address of your NIC
