File association problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter swampy
  • Start date Start date
S

swampy

I'm running Windows XP Home OS and MS Office Small Business applications.

I don't know if this is serious or not, but I need someone to address this
issue with me to correct it if possible.

All my backed-up files on my CDs and Floppies that are supposed to look like
manila colored file folders, now all appear with Internet Explorer icons;
even the text readme entries. I can't tell one from the other without
opening each one up. They open okay. What happened?

So far, I've only noticed this behavior in my CD and floppy backup files.
Every thing appears normal in my C:\ Drive Windows Explorer window. All the
various icons that are suppose to represent different types of files
(including the yellow Manila folders) no longer show when I'm looking on my
cds and floppies.

I looked in the Tools/Options/File Types/Advanced and my Edit and Remove
options are grayed out.

Would someone please assist me with this, please. Thank you!
 
Incorrect or generic Windows icon displayed for a Drive in My Computer:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/driveicon.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


I'm running Windows XP Home OS and MS Office Small Business applications.

I don't know if this is serious or not, but I need someone to address this
issue with me to correct it if possible.

All my backed-up files on my CDs and Floppies that are supposed to look like
manila colored file folders, now all appear with Internet Explorer icons;
even the text readme entries. I can't tell one from the other without
opening each one up. They open okay. What happened?

So far, I've only noticed this behavior in my CD and floppy backup files.
Every thing appears normal in my C:\ Drive Windows Explorer window. All the
various icons that are suppose to represent different types of files
(including the yellow Manila folders) no longer show when I'm looking on my
cds and floppies.

I looked in the Tools/Options/File Types/Advanced and my Edit and Remove
options are grayed out.

Would someone please assist me with this, please. Thank you!
 
I'm now noticing that when I double-click any file folder (except the My
Documents one), I get the "Search" tool window. ??????

Help!
 
Click Start/Run and type:

reg add hkcr\directory\shell /ve /d none /f

-and-

reg add hkcr\drive\shell /ve /d none /f

Alternately, to fix this manually via a registry edit:

If this problem is seen for Drives:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Drive\shell
Set (default) to "none" (without ")

If this problem is seen for folders:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell]
Set (default) to "none" (without ")


See also:

Search Companion Starts If You Double-Click a Folder:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321186

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


I'm now noticing that when I double-click any file folder (except the My
Documents one), I get the "Search" tool window. ??????

Help!
 
Thanks!

Before I make a further attempt at repairing this problem, I need to tell
you that I believe that I have found the problem. It involves the software
program named "WinVorbis" (an audio encoder) that I recently installed. I
wasn't impressed with the program and uninstalled it and all the left-behind
files. I noticed when I checked the View\File Types from Control
Panel\Folders, that I had a duplicate Folder-Type that is suppose to open my
file folders correctly. One of the file-types has the correct commands:
Action = open and with = explore. The other duplicate has the wrong
commands: Action: "find" and open-with: "winvorbis"

The Edit and Remove option for either Folder-Type are grayed out. I can't
delete it there. The good File-type seems to be taken over by the bad
File-type.

I'm okay with going into the Registry to fix this, but I don't know where to
look and what to do to get rid of it.

Help Guys!
 
Oh BTW You were right Ramesh. The boot order was incorrect and I changed
back to the correct order, but it still didn't effect the problem so far.
 
Check this:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/editfolder.htm

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Thanks!

Before I make a further attempt at repairing this problem, I need to tell
you that I believe that I have found the problem. It involves the software
program named "WinVorbis" (an audio encoder) that I recently installed. I
wasn't impressed with the program and uninstalled it and all the left-behind
files. I noticed when I checked the View\File Types from Control
Panel\Folders, that I had a duplicate Folder-Type that is suppose to open my
file folders correctly. One of the file-types has the correct commands:
Action = open and with = explore. The other duplicate has the wrong
commands: Action: "find" and open-with: "winvorbis"

The Edit and Remove option for either Folder-Type are grayed out. I can't
delete it there. The good File-type seems to be taken over by the bad
File-type.

I'm okay with going into the Registry to fix this, but I don't know where to
look and what to do to get rid of it.

Help Guys!
 
Thank you so much, Ramesh, for your time spent in helping resolve my File
and folder type problems!

So far, you've helped me correct part of the file/folder problems. I
corrected to double-click path problem thanks to your Website.

The only thing I can't seem to do by following the directions on your
website is delete the empty file folder from the File-type menu. It doesn't
really hurt anything by being there, but it just irritates me that I can't
delete it.

The icons from any backup disk data that I open still all show as the blue
explorer icons no matter what the file-type might be.

I also lost several entries on my right-click Start button (including
"Search").

My antivirus entries are all up-to date and along with my firewall show no
viruses or Trojans.

I don't know whether or not you wish to help me any further, but I do
appreciate your time already spent. thank you so very much!.

Cheers!
 
Hi Swampy,

Did you accidentally delete the "Find" action under "File Folders"? "Find" is nothing but "Search" which is not to be deleted. Download and apply the "Directory" association fix from here:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

This should restore the "Search" option.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Thank you so much, Ramesh, for your time spent in helping resolve my File
and folder type problems!

So far, you've helped me correct part of the file/folder problems. I
corrected to double-click path problem thanks to your Website.

The only thing I can't seem to do by following the directions on your
website is delete the empty file folder from the File-type menu. It doesn't
really hurt anything by being there, but it just irritates me that I can't
delete it.

The icons from any backup disk data that I open still all show as the blue
explorer icons no matter what the file-type might be.

I also lost several entries on my right-click Start button (including
"Search").

My antivirus entries are all up-to date and along with my firewall show no
viruses or Trojans.

I don't know whether or not you wish to help me any further, but I do
appreciate your time already spent. thank you so very much!.

Cheers!
 
Thank you, very much again, Ramesh. You've been very kind and helpful.
Everything is back to normal again except for the Icon in my Floppy and CD
rom drive back up contents. They all show as iexplorer although they are
mixed content. I have no way of telling which file is which as they all look
the same. Can we fix this and I'll be done?
 
Icons are now all fixed completely including the one on CDs and Floppies.

Thanks to both Ramesh and Mark. You guys are too intelligent! <smile>
 
You're welcome :)

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Icons are now all fixed completely including the one on CDs and Floppies.

Thanks to both Ramesh and Mark. You guys are too intelligent! <smile>
 
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