1. Why does the status bar dissapear from explorer every time I reboot? is there a setting to keep it there? some registry tinkering perhaps?

2. Why wont the way a directory is displayed be saved like it's supposed to? And it's caonstantly marked 'read only' even if I unchecked it..?

3. Why wont the search utility find files 'containing' words or phrases like it's supposed to?

cos m$ made it. Only way to solve those is to dump the shell and get something like powerdesk

I have none of those bugs.

You have spyware or a virus.

Are you on the latest SP1 of IE with the latest updates?

I'm using the SP1 and RU1 XP Pro.

Quite sertain I have neither virus nor spyware.

All updates are there.

I'm running the home edition though.

no, those bugs are common. Explorer forgets my computer is supposed to be my type and show in group, the rest are fine.

It's not a virus or spyware or any other guess, it's just explorer is and always has been glitchy. The files aren't marked read-only normally, but the box appears checked. It isn't, just another explorer bug. It's exactly the same with pro doe.

As for the shell, I wouldn't know. I'm using geoshell which i've customised even more now

You might want to try geoshell or little black box as a replacement shell, will still use explorer for filenavigation, but it's ram usage will be a lot less and you won't drop tray icons if it crashes

Gotta agree with spud about the bugs, I get weird shit like that, but it seems to clear after awhile on it's own.

Never got round to using a shell replacement tho. I know spud receommended geoshell, anyone else know any others?

blackbox like noted above. I'm running it with geoshell in this screen (just to show you ):
<img src="http://www.btinternet.com/~spudthedestroyer/spuddeskblack.jpg" width="640" height="480">

Totally customisable, postiting, options and colour (i think)

There are shit loads though, you could make your own if you know any language. I'd avoid Aston, it sucks big time.

I giva that one a try, whats the worst that could happen? LMFAO knowing me a total re-install and excorcism LOL

i use windows explorer 99% of the time, that status bar does disapear sometimes after a reboot, but not always. i have windows explorer set in the startup folder, so it runs automatically first. this usually keeps the status bar, but it does disappear like every 5 or so boot ups.

for that view folders, you did it with
-tools-folder options....
-view tab
'apply to all folders' or 'reset all folders'?

there are also little checkboxes for stuff like 'apply to all subfolders' that u may accidently change a folder that is set the way u like it.
some programs set the explorers view property themselves, fucking with your own settings. real player, quiktime, and stupid windows media player 9 like to do it on mine.
and then sometimes it just changes itself in life's ongoing conspiracy to drive me insane(r).

that search. man i hate that damn dog.
you may got to go to search this computer
files and folders

the bottom little arrow, more advanced options
and make sure the top three are checked, the 'subfolders' especially.

i tried a lot of those windows explorer replacements, but i think i am too set with using the standard one.

hehe, now everyone tell me how wrong my advice is............

1. The status bar dissapears, because it saves the settings of the last explorer window that was closed, so if it doesn't have the bar, it won't be there when you open it. And (funny thing) it dissapears each time you open a new explorer window from Files->Open new window in IE.

2. For some reason the system I have on my notebook started forgetting the settings for search results display and it always displays them as tiles instead of list. Actually, it is a list before I start searching, but once I do it it changes to tiles immediately. Very annoying. Does anyone know the possible reason?