Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Active Desktop Recovery

Feb 24, 2007 9:24AM PST

The electricity went off during a storm and when I turned the computer back on the Active Desktop was off. When I clicked on "Restore My Active Desktop" I got this message: an error has occurred in the script on this page.
Line:65
Char:1
Error:Object doesn't support this action
Code: 0
URL: file:///C:/Documents %20 and %20 Settings/Owner?Application %20 Data?Microsoft?Internet %20 Explorer/Desktop.htt
What should I do? Help will be appreciated!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
A Possible Simple Fix..
Sep 25, 2008 2:08AM PDT
- Collapse -
ClearPolicy.bat finally got the job done..
Sep 25, 2008 11:36AM PDT

It makes me smile to see that a .bat file finally was the hero, and, that I found it in forum for "newbies". I first started working on computers with 29 lb "transportable" Kaypro II. It didn't even have a hard drive. 64KB of RAM, a Z80 processor, 2 5 1/4" floppy disk drives, and CP/M operating system. I made .bat files on that machine I think using edlin.exe or maybe it was edlin.com.. it was, I think. I never realized that just 28 short years ago ".com" meant a compiled program. Ha! times have changed, but it's still fun to make computers work better..

Thank you, Grif, for your help.

It is still a mystery to me how and why this problem occurs as a result of a power failure. I am definitely going to get a UPS for the home computer.

- Collapse -
(NT) Good Job & Thanks For Posting Back!
Sep 26, 2008 5:52AM PDT
- Collapse -
Active Desktop recovery
Dec 5, 2007 5:10PM PST

I was using a PC laptop with windows XP Professional on the weekend and I have was using the computer when it froze. I shutdown using the button.
I can't fix it using the options because it is a school computer and it is blocked by a system adminstrator. Therefore i cannot get any passwords and would like to fix it so I can take it back to work to fix.

Why would the computer show the active desktop recovery sign? Is it a virus becuase I had put a DOS program on the computer that I was using all day to adjudicate a competition.


PLease help so I can take the laptop back

- Collapse -
If You've Done Nothing Wrong..
Dec 6, 2007 2:50AM PST

..because the Active Destkop simply took a dive during normal operations, then take it back and let a school system admin fix it.. It may not have been "your fault".. Then again, if you are placing personal programs on a work computer, (yes, it's possible the DOS program caused an issue), then you'll want to explain the reason for the problem to the admin..

By the way, I believe a standard "power user" logon should allow you to change the desktop properties by following the procedures mentioned above in the thread. "on a blank spot on the Active Desktop Recovery Error page, do a right click, and select Properties. Select the Desktop tab, then select whatever image you want as your desktop image."

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
same thing.....restore active desktop with script error
Mar 24, 2008 10:15AM PDT

The only thing I did was add object desktop and windowblinds and then wham......My start menu is now showing but doesn't work (when I hover over it, there is the hourglass curser). I have to use the task manager (ctrl,alt,del) to access anything. I have no icons and the taskbar, start menu flash on and off and then disappear for good. I am using windows xp home. Seems as though my user profile may be in jeopardy as well. HKU????? reg?????gone. What a mess. When I try to go to a folder, it too will disappear after about 10 seconds. Right clicking on the desktop to display properties fixes nothing. Currently I am trying to use Hijack This to help restore things. Still could use some tech. assistance. Thanks to all.

- Collapse -
(NT) Tried System Restore In Safe Mode?
Mar 25, 2008 12:05AM PDT
- Collapse -
I've tried just about everything....
Mar 26, 2008 4:31AM PDT

Thanks for your help. This has got to be virus related and I am going to have to wipe everything and re-install windows. Can't think of another solution. Seems no matter what kind of protection you have, they still get in and wreak havock on your system.

- Collapse -
Any "Norton"? It can interfere.
Mar 26, 2008 4:54AM PDT
- Collapse -
Restore my active desktop problems
Apr 24, 2008 12:02AM PDT

Thanks for that. I used to have Norton but got rid of it. I use AVG now. Anyway, I now use Talisman and with a little bit of work via registry editors, cleaners, etc., I now have a desktop computer that I can use again. I even installed Xplorer 2 and used it for awhile, but the Talisman eventually took over everything and all is good. Thanks to everyone who has tried to help. To those of you ready to give up, I suggest Talisman. You just use the "switch" button and all is great.

- Collapse -
Thanks.
Apr 24, 2008 2:07AM PDT

No we rarely give up. The only time I have to give up it seems are those machines that sustain (continued) damage from P2P use. It's like trying to cure someone while they still smoke crack. It never ends well.

Bob

- Collapse -
Active Desktop Recovery and Internet Explorer Script Error
Jul 19, 2008 6:13AM PDT

We are using Windows XP Home Edition via Explora GA32 AMD Athlon processor 2.0 G L2 Cache 512 KB, on an Everex Computer. Everytime we start the computer we get these two errors, Active Desktop Recovery with a white screen and Internet Explorer Script Error in a dialog box, just as everyone has said in the above communications. But when we go to the white screen of the Active Desktop Recovery screen it won't allow us to go into properties because the dialog box showing the explorer script error is open. How can I get the script error to close so I can open properties and perform the recommended fix?

Thanks,

Anna

- Collapse -
Just checking.
Jul 19, 2008 6:16AM PDT

There were items and things to do noted above. Were they done?

Sometimes people jump into an old discussion so we have to ask that.
Bob

- Collapse -
RESTORE ACTIVE DESK TOP
Oct 1, 2008 11:36AM PDT

MY COMPUTER WINDOWS XP SHUT ITSELF DOWN THROUGH POWER FAILURE. WHEN I RESTARTED IT ATIIVE DESK TOP TURNED OFF .WHEN I CLICK ON RESTORE ACTIVE ALERT COMES UP.

LINE 65
CHAR 1
ERROR. OBJECT DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS ACTION
CODE 0
URL: FILE://DOCUMENTS%20AND%
20SETTINGS/BRIAN/APPLICATION%20DATA/MICROSOFT/INTERNET%
20EXPLORER/DESKTOP.htt Any Help Please Brian

- Collapse -
Does It Frequently 'SHUT ITSELF DOWN THROUGH POWER FAILURE'?
Oct 2, 2008 12:38AM PDT

...or was this a one-time thing? If it's happening frequently, then you'll want to take care of that first.

If it's only a one-time thing, have you tried the other suggestions in this thread.. Maybe the suggestion in the link below will help:

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-6121_102-0.html?forumID=45&threadID=235415&messageID=2866736#2866736

In addition, please don't type in all capital letters.. It's hard to read and is considered "shouting" on the forums.

Hope this helps and let us know how it goes.

Grif

- Collapse -
Reply to Grif Thomas
Oct 2, 2008 9:35AM PDT

Grif thank you I have posted my problem on MyFix Hoping to have it solved also sorry for the Capitals I wo,nt do it again Iwill let you know outcome. Brian

- Collapse -
Thank you...
Aug 2, 2008 12:11AM PDT

It is August 2008 and your information helped me today about the desktop recovery error.....whew thank goodness, I did system restore, but that didn't work for me, then I found your thread.....have a good day, now I can relax and stop screwing up my computer by trying to figure that out...LOL

- Collapse -
active desktop recovery...but...
Dec 12, 2008 8:12AM PST

hi, i need your help in this matter...

i was changing wallpapers and accidentally clicked on a gif image instead of a jpg image...then this message about active desktop recovery appeared and said about themes etc...i tried clicking on the choices given...the endpoint is, my shortcut icons are now enclosed in a box...i want my shortcut icons be out of the box..how do i do this?

btw, i am using windows xp

thanks a lot in advance...

sincerely,

marina garcia

- Collapse -
Enclosed In A Box? Which shortcut icons?
Dec 12, 2008 10:18AM PST

What kind of a box? And where is this "box"? Can you simply drag the icons to your desktop?

More importantly, there are a number of suggestions in this thread. Did you try them all?

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
active desktop recovery...
Dec 12, 2008 11:42AM PST

hi grif,

all shortcuts/icons have this sort of background in a box form...i've tried one but still the same, no change at all

- Collapse -
Maybe They've Been Locked.... Then Try This..
Dec 13, 2008 5:20AM PST

Open the Control Panel.
Open Display Properties.
Click the Desktop tab.
Click the Customize Desktop button.
Click the Web tab in the Desktop Items window
Make sure all checkboxes in this Web Pages window are un-checked.

Or...See the instructions in the link below:

http://www.mvps.org/marksxp/WindowsXP/boarders.php

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
active desktop recovery
Dec 16, 2008 6:52AM PST
- Collapse -
Active recovery error message
Nov 5, 2009 1:36AM PST

Hi Grif

I have the same problem as everyone else on this thread. I have Dell lap top Lattitude D630. The operating system is Windows XP professional. I have done right click, properties, then select desktop. I am unable to select windows xp or any other background. Next I clicked customize desktop. There is no web tab to click. What else can you suggest.

Thanks in advance

Kevin

- Collapse -
And You've Also Done This?
Nov 5, 2009 3:08AM PST

Click on the link below and download the .bat file in the "clearPolicy" link.. Once it's on the desktop, exit all browser windows and programs, then double click on the file to run it.

http://www.myfixes.com/quickfixes/fixes/25

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
active desktop recovery
Dec 12, 2008 12:15PM PST

btw the name of the shortcut is the one being enclosed in a boxed background

- Collapse -
What is Active Desktop Recovery
Dec 17, 2008 4:17AM PST

How do I get rid of this? Also, I purchased Spyware doctor with antivirus and it is not fixing. Why and what do I do?

- Collapse -
Google Is A Great Tool!
Dec 17, 2008 4:31AM PST

Type "Active Desktop" into Google and you'll see that it occasionally becomes "lost".. "Recovery" of Active Desktop is exactly that.. Making it appear again.

It's not clear why you mentioned Spyware Doctor, but that particular program should have nothing to do with the Active Desktop UNLESS there was malware on the machine that caused Active Desktop to become lost. If you read the other posts in this thread, you'll see there are other options from fixing Active Desktop.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
nun
Aug 17, 2009 2:39PM PDT

yea mine did dat and i cant change it

- Collapse -
Error
Mar 8, 2010 5:27PM PST

I think when i setup advance desktop.htt dual wallpaper method, Norton 360 ruins my system... But i dont think i have a virus it is either Norton is replacing my desktop.htt

Line:65
Char:1
Error:Object doesn't support this action
Code: 0
URL: file:///C:/Documents %20 and %20 Settings/Owner?Application %20 Data?Microsoft?Internet %20 Explorer/Desktop.htt

- Collapse -
(NT) active desktop recovery
May 1, 2010 4:32AM PDT