Finder preference setting

hi-
I have a new iMac 10.4.10, 2.4 Ghz.
So, a simple question, but an oddly illusive answer. I want my finder windows to always open in the column view style. Even after setting this in the finder preferences, it consistently reverts to icon view when I close a window and later open another. What am I missing?
- thanks

From the Finder select View from the menu>Show View Options (or command-j). You need to select All Windows if that's what you want.

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