FIX: Active Desktop error & IBM themes & SP2

[beaker]

If you have XP SP2 installed, when you boot up your computer the SP2 policy will check to see if your _desktop_ has any ActiveX controls running.

I had installed IBM's 'Think Theme' but kept getting these messages that my security policy did not allow ActiveX controls to run. It turns out that since your desktop _can_ contain web content, SP2 will treat it as one, even if you are only running a theme.

The fix:
1. right click on your desktop
2. click on the desktop tab
3. click on 'Customize Desktop' button
4. uncheck 'Run Desktop Clean Wizard every 60 days' (ActiveX control)
5. click on the Web tab
6. uncheck 'My Current Home Page'
7. click OK button twice to save changes.

I have had no problems for two weeks now, since I have unchecked both the 'Desktop Clean Wizard' and 'Current Home Page'. I _still_ had problems with just 'My Current Home Page' checked.

HTH someone.

[Procter]

that's cool. I just faced the same problem! Will try later, thanks OP

[beaker]

If you are running an firewall/anti-virus/spyware combo, as you should. I believe that this ActiveX desktop slows down bootup. I believe the anti-virus/firewall/ etc.. checks to see what is being displayed on the desktop and what network address the content is coming from.

I say this because I use Norton Internet Security, and I have found that my thinkpad boots up quicker. The only thing I have changed is the addition of two registry keys.


Make _sure_ you don't need the ActiveX desktop before you do this. Once you add these keys, the tab for web content will disappear from the:

Display Properties > desktop > customize desktop button > desktop items

menu.

Run regedit and add these two keys:

User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer]
System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer]
Name: NoActiveDesktop
Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value: (0 = disable restriction, 1 = enable restriction)


Disable active desktop by adding the NoActiveDesktop value and setting it to 1 (which enables the restriction).

Add these registry keys, in addition to the first solution I posted.

[Procter]

I realize that the problem I encountered might be different, and actually I would like to keep using the "active think" theme.

The problem was that I was asked to restore the active desktop everytime when starting the system. Did your method solve this problem?
Getting this error message disappear while keeping the theme working.

If you are running an firewall/anti-virus/spyware combo, as you should. I believe that this ActiveX desktop slows down bootup. I believe the anti-virus/firewall/ etc.. checks to see what is being displayed on the desktop and what network address the content is coming from.

I say this because I use Norton Internet Security, and I have found that my thinkpad boots up quicker. The only thing I have changed is the addition of two registry keys.


Make _sure_ you don't need the ActiveX desktop before you do this. Once you add these keys, the tab for web content will disappear from the:

Display Properties > desktop > customize desktop button > desktop items

menu.

Run regedit and add these two keys:

User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer]
System Key: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Explorer]
Name: NoActiveDesktop
Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value: (0 = disable restriction, 1 = enable restriction)


Disable active desktop by adding the NoActiveDesktop value and setting it to 1 (which enables the restriction)

[beaker]

As you can read here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=886264

XP SP2 broke the 'Active Think' Theme. You can also read here:

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/arch ... 97837.html

that XP SP2 has a problem with _any_ ActiveX desktop theme.

My solution eliminates the conflict between SP2 and ActiveX desktop. It is not a hack to enable an ActiveX-enabled desktop theme to work with XP SP2.

[Procter]

You mean the first solution or the extra one with modification in registry?

As you can read here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=886264

XP SP2 broke the 'Active Think' Theme. You can also read here:

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/arch ... 97837.html

that XP SP2 has a problem with _any_ ActiveX desktop theme.

My solution eliminates the conflict between SP2 and ActiveX desktop. It is not a hack to enable an ActiveX-enabled desktop theme to work with XP SP2.

[beaker]

If you are running a firewall/anti-virus/spyware applications and you _don't care_ about having an ActiveX-enabled desktop, you want to first do as I outlined in the first post. Then, add the registry keys I suggested in the second solution.

If you are not running a firewall/anti-virus/spyware applications and you want the functionality of an ActiveX desktop, you want to just use the first solution.

[Procter]

I'm using Norton corporate Antivirus and Windows' own firewall, no antispyware though. After using your first solution, no "restore active desktop" appears any more.

You think it necessary to add 2nd solution's registry keys, I'm not quite sure if I'm gonna use activeX funtion in the future. Anything insecure if I only use the first solution?

Thanks

[beaker]

Your startup time might decrease, if you added those registry keys. However, nothing else would change otherwise. With the additional registry keys, you are only preventing _an ActiveX themed desktop_ from running.

Those registry keys will not prevent Internet Explorer from using ActiveX controls while you browse the Internet.

[Procter]

One more stupid question, if you add the keys to "prevent_an ActiveX themed desktop_ from running", how could the Active Think theme work?

The active wireless signal and email notification on the desktop are really cool.

[beaker]

If the 'Active Think' theme contains ActiveX controls, than you would not want to add the registry keys.

[Procter]

I just noticed a problem after using the first solution that the quick launch part cannot show up after rebooting the system even if I set to show it right before the reboot.

Did you have the same issue?

Thanks

[beaker]

I'm sorry but I don't follow what you are trying to convey.

The quick lauch toolbar, as I understand, is something that activated when you right click on your taskbar and select it. That is how I have it set up, and you need to have the 'Themes' service set to Automatic to do that.

START > RUN > type services.msc > select themes > set to automatic start.

HTH

[Procter]

i mean, from time to time, I found my tool bar not to show the quick launch after rebooting, even if i had set it right before rebooting my computer. i'm not sure about if it has anything to do with the active x so I asked that question. Sorry for any confusion

[beaker]

Okay, you right clicked on the taskbar and selected the quick launch. All you should have to do then is right click on the taskbar again, and check 'lock the taskbar'