Member Avatar for Fred Kolesar

Hi, I'm Fred.

I understand Computers somewhat but definitely no Expert.

I have a question about a Display Properties feature.


My Computer is an

HP 6738 Pavilion
Windows ME
4.90.3000
700 Mhz
319 MB of Ram
Internet Explorer 6
Outlook Express 6


I have created custom colors and other features from "Display Properties" (appearance tab). Its an extensive amount of customizing everything from Scroll Bar width to Desktop Icon sizes. I'm not talking about selecting Large or Small Icons. What I'm doing is defining the size of Small & Large Icons, and a whole lot more. It takes Hours to do this (don't ask why I do it.. Its just one of those things)

In the "Display Properties" [Appearance] tab a little more than half way down and on the left there is an "Item" drop-down Menu. From this Menu one can select and modify each of the items.

After I have everything just the way I want it there is a button to the right to "Save as..." scheme. This is fine for switching back an forth from different Schemes, But when I need to Re-Format the Hard Drive all of my custom settings are Lost.

I need to save the custom Schemes to a Floppy. (so I can copy them back after Formatting the Hard Drive)

IS THERE A WAY TO SAVE THESE FILES TO A FLOPPY THEN COPY THEM BACK INTO THE LIST OF SCHEMES ? Not shouting, just desperate!

Re-creating this custom colors desktop from scratch every time after Formatting the hard drive is getting old & tiresome.

I use the "Save as.." button to enter a Filename and save the Scheme, but it does not offer Browsing to select where to save the Data. Or retrieve it.

Does anyone know if and/or how to save (Export / Import) a color Scheme to from a floppy.

I've tried searching the entire Hard drive for the names of the Color Schemes with no luck. [thinking maybe I could Drag & Drop] I select search All "Folder & Files". The Search will sometimes come up with a few similar filenames but not the files with the Custom Color and other Appearance settings.


Help..!!

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Fred,

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Fred Kolesar

Dani AI

Generated

Nice catch by — the saved color schemes are registry-based on Windows Me, which explains why searching for ordinary files won't turn them up. Exporting the relevant registry node before a format is the right, reliable fix. This note expands that solution with practical backup and restore tips so the long customization session described by doesn't have to be repeated.

Best-practice checklist before formatting:

  • Export the appearance-related registry data to a .reg file and keep at least two copies (floppy plus CD or USB).
  • Save any custom assets separately: wallpaper images, .ico/.cur files and any custom palette or color files.
  • Make a short README that lists the exported filenames and the order to restore them (schemes first, then icon/metrics if exported).
  • Test the .reg file on the current system (open it with a text editor) to confirm the scheme names are present.

Restore notes and troubleshooting:

  • Merge the saved registry file into the freshly installed system and then log off and back on (or restart Explorer) so the Appearance list is refreshed. If a scheme does not show, confirm the import was performed while logged in to the same user account that should receive the settings — appearance entries are per-user. If importing seems to succeed but values look wrong, the exported file can be opened and inspected in a text editor; keep a backup before any edits.

Cautions:

  • Registry merges change system state — keep a full registry backup first. Floppy media can fail with age; keep at least one copy on a more reliable medium. These steps are specific to Windows Me; migrating the .reg to a different Windows major version may not produce identical results.

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Member Avatar for Drycola

Hello Fred,

I have the EXACT solution for your problem ;) since I'm still using Windows Me

Go to Start -> Run
Type REGEDIT and then press Enter
A program called 'Registry Editor' should run now.
As you see, there is a TreeView for registry data (Just as files in windows explorer). Go to the directory:
"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Appearance\Schemes"
then go to 'File' menu, choose 'Export', then save the file whereever you want.

To restore the settings after formatting, simply double-click on the saved file and choose 'Yes', all data will then be added to your registry.

Glad to help you :)

Note: If that's the solution for your problem; then please mark this thread as SOLVED so as to increase my reputation hehehe ;)

Member Avatar for Fred Kolesar

.
.
.:)

Drycola,

Thank you, Thank you,

You have ended the hours of repetitive drudgery. I've been delaying Sanitizing (Formatting) the Hard-drive on my *Me* for several months because of this annoying problem that You Have Solved.

Fred,

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