Deleted Public Desktop Folder

[pfisher13]

I have a problem in a lab on Dell Optiplex 745 computers. In this lab, there are 29 computers originally running Vista SP2. I cloned them with a configured Vista image made for this lab. After I cloned these computers, I discovered on 15 of them, the Public Desktop folder is missing. All of the other Public folders (Documents, Music, Pictures, etc...) are visible. This is happening to all profiles (Admin, teacher, student) accounts. It doesn't matter who is logged on to any of the 15 computers. This is NOT a single profile corruption issue.

I have Show Hidden files, folder, drives, and I unchecked the 3 Hide..... boxes. It doesn't restore the Public Desktop Folder.

I have tried use a REG file to merge the two together. Nothing.


I have tried to search (shellublic/desktop) for Public Desktop folder. Nothing.

I have restarted the computer.

I have tried to use a RESTORE POINT but it only goes back to 2 weeks ago.


I have tried to use the REPAIR option but that didn't solve my problem.


I am performing ALL of these tests under an admin account. Since there is student files on these 15 computers, I cannot re-clone these computers nor can I perform a repair on these computers. I don't want to risk the loss of data. There has to be way to restore the Public Desktop folder WITHOUT cloning or repairing these computers.

I have tried to logon to one of these computers as LOCAL ADMIN to fix the problem. Also, I have tried Administrator account to fix the problem. Both of these accounts doesn't fix the problem

I need to restore the original DEFAULT Public Desktop folder to C:\USERS\PUBLIC. Creating a new folder and calling it Public Desktop doesn't solve the problem. How I know this I tried putting a folder in this newly created Public Desktop folder and it didn't appear on my desktop. This is how I know that just creating a simple folder doesn't work.


I have posted this question on Microsoft Answers and didn't get one drop of a solution. In fact, nobody even bothered to answer the question.

 

[richc46]

Welcome
Here is a thread that I participated in a while ago. I suggested System Restore which you already tried. The thread may give you some other ideas. Sorry about your problem, but in all other respects I wish you a Happy New Year.
http://www.vistax64.com/general-dis...p-folder-can-not-install-software-result.html

 

[pfisher13]

Thanks Richard for a response. Keep in mind, I don't receive any error messages at all. Although my situation is similar to the other post (Ratchet 1), it is different because as I said I don't receive any error messages. I am puzzled why only 15 out of 30 computers, public desktop folder is gone.

 

[richc46]

Can you reimage, those few problem computers?

 

[pfisher13]

I could try to reimage one but I am not sure if the problem lies with the image. Unfortunately, it is a lot of hassle in a computer lab to reimage a computer. I used the same image on all 30 computers. Why isn't all 30 computers have the same problem compared to only 15. I guess my only option is reimage one and see what happens. It still doesn't answer the question, where did Public Desktop folder disappear to? There is no trace of it at all. Why did this one folder disappear while the other Public folders are intact? While reimaging may solve my problem, in some situations, reimaging is not an option. I would prefer to work with the computer as is oppose to reimaging and have to re-configure it.

 

[richc46]

I dont have the answer to your questions or initial problem, but I am proficient at searching this Forum.
http://www.vistax64.com/vista-file-management/179737-how-reinstall-public-desktop.html

 

[pfisher13]

Richard- I know you can't answer the big question. I was just merely talking out loud. Yes, I have tried the "repair" option which in my situation, it didn't solve the problem.

 

[richc46]

What is rather strange is that from a single image, all did not have the same results.