The computer description appears before the computer name in Windows XP (330193)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2002
  • Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003
This article was previously published under Q330193
Important This article contains information about how to modify the registry. Make sure to back up the registry before you modify it. Make sure that you know how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up, restore, and modify the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows registry

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Windows XP, the computer description may appear before the computer name, and the computer name may appear between parentheses, as in the following example:

computer_description (computer_name)

RESOLUTION

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

322389 How to obtain the latest Windows XP service pack

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that is described in this article. Only apply it to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next Windows XP service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.Windows XP
   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name
   --------------------------------------------------------------
   10-Jul-2003  19:42  6.0.2800.1242   8,242,176  Shell32.dll      
   08-Jul-2003  18:31  5.1.2600.1243     557,568  Xpsp2res.dll
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
   Date         Time   Version            Size    File name      Platform
   ----------------------------------------------------------------------
   10-Jul-2003  19:43  6.0.2800.1242  14,375,424  Shell32.dll    IA-64
   03-Jul-2003  17:51  6.0.2800.1242   8,242,176  Wshell32.dll   x86
   08-Jul-2003  18:31  5.1.2600.1243     557,568  Wxpsp2res.dll  x86
   08-Jul-2003  18:31  5.1.2600.1243     557,056  Xpsp2res.dll   IA-64

Installation instructions

After you apply this hotfix, follow these steps to enable the hotfix.

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedit, and then click OK.
  2. Locate and then click the following subkey in the registry:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

  3. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
  4. Type ToggleCommentPosition, and then press ENTER.
  5. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
  6. Type 1, and then click OK.
  7. On the Edit menu, point to New, and then click DWORD Value.
  8. Type ShowDriveLettersFirst, and then press ENTER.
  9. On the Edit menu, click Modify.
  10. Type 2, and then click OK.
The registry values have the following results:

Key: ToggleCommentPosition
Type: DWORD
Value: 1 or 0

If the value is 0, Windows uses "share_name on comment_text (computer_name) (drive_letter)."

If the value is 1, Windows uses "share_name on computer_name (comment_text) (drive_letter)."

Key: ShowDriveLettersFirst
Type: DWORD
Value: 1,2, or 4

If the value is 1, the drive letter is displayed first for remote drives.
If the value is 2, drive letters are not displayed.
If the value is 4, the drive letter is displayed first for all drives.

This registry entry can be applied in a Per-Machine policy or in a Per-User policy, by using one of the following subkeys:
  • For a Per-Machine policy, click the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

  • For a Per-User policy, click the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

If the Per-Machine registry key exists, it takes precedence over the Per-User setting. For the changes to take effect, the current user must log off from the computer and then log on to the computer.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/4/2006
Keywords:kbHotfixServer kbWinXPsp2fix kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbWinXPpreSP2fix KB330193 kbAudITPRO
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