Active desktop recovery/Script error
 

I re-booted my XP Home based computer after shutting it down normallty and received the whire screen with the message: "Active Desktop Recovery". I clicked on the "Restore my Active Desktop" and received the following error message, titled:

Internet Explorer Script Error
Line: 65
Char: 1
Error: Object doesn't support this action
Code: 0
URL: file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Setting...et/Desktop.htt

Do you want to continue runnibg scripts on this page?
Yes/No

No matter whether I press Yes or No, nothing happens!
I removed a couple of programs I recently installed and re-booted,, with the same result.
I then went into System Restore and restored it to a status a couple of days ago. Still, the same result!
I ran antivirus programs, Windows Defender. Nothing was detected.
I need HELP, please.
Thanks:sad:

Re: Active desktop recovery/Script error
 

are you using IE7 ?

Re: Active desktop recovery/Script error
 

Yes! Is this a problem?

Thanks for responding.

Ed

Re: Active desktop recovery/Script error
 

Hi

Try uninstalling IE 7 and restart. Try installing IE 7 again and make sure you are not connected to the Internet when you re-install

HTH
Darren
South Africa

Re: Active desktop recovery/Script error
 

desktop.htt pretty much controls the size and position of your desktop and the wallpaper you have on it, plus it includes a little activeX control to allow you to reshape it..... IE7 is a little bit incompatible with the old profile you may have had already.
Since this file is automatically generated by windows, the best fix is to delete the old one[s] and let windows create a new one. To do this open an explorer window and go to tools > folder options > view, and uncheck hide protected opsys files. Apply and ok. Then do a search in your sys drive [usually c: ] for desktop.htt. It will be in Docs and Settings\User\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer.
Delete them [it, whatever...]. Close the explorer window, rclick your desktop and click Refresh, and then go back and RECHECK that box. you really don't want those special files exposed all the time!!

Re: Active desktop recovery/Script error
 

Thanks, Gerbil. This clinched it! I have no idea what this means or what other 'side effects' are associated with this change, if any. However, at this point in time it works again!
Thank you so much!
Oded

Re: Active desktop recovery/Script error
 

I removed and reinstalled IE& without positive results. However. please see Gerbil's reply. His suggestion worked immediately.
Thanks to all of you who helped me!
Oded

Re: Active desktop recovery/Script error
 

Wow!! you were hot on the job, Oded!! Glad it worked... however i edited that post to provide what i consider to be a better fix, a true one, involving deleting any old desktop.htt files and letting windows create a new one.. The edited post has a fix which is a proper fix, not a hash job to tide you over. Explorer would rebuild a compatible desktop.htt file. Cheers..

Re: Active desktop recovery/Script error
 

Hi Gerbil,
I followed your suggestion in the edited version of your reply and found three instances of the file desktop.htt. The search highlighted them in blue and when I tried to delete them, the system froze! I had to go to Windows Task Manager, delete and reinstate Desktop.exe.
Should I go to each file and delete it manually? I don't understand why the system would freeze?
Thanks,
Oded

Re: Active desktop recovery/Script error
 

strange that it froze, oded.... you would have seen that there was an instance of desktop.htt for each user; deleting them should not have caused a problem. The particular .htt file for a user would be recreated when that user made a change to his desktop subsequently, say changing the colour, or the picture. But if your system is working fine already then the desktop file will still be rebuilt when you make any change.