IE 6 Won't Use Default File Associations

[john chapman]

Double clicking on a linked file (in browser window) will not open the
file using the default file association. For example, .pdf files will
not automatically bring up Acrobat, nor will .mpg files open
automatically in Windows Media Player. If I save these (and other
types of files), and then double click on the saved files, they will
open in their respective default programs. Just a note -- if I
specify that media files are to be played in the bar, they will come
up automatically there. Also, am running WIN 2000.

Something seemingly has told IE6 not to automatically launch the
default file associations. What do I need to do to reactivate?

 

[PA Bear]

Do they open at all? Does this affect all file types?

What do PDF files open in, if not Acrobat Reader? Did you install MS
Journal Viewer?

What do MPG file open in, if not WMP? Did you install another media player?

Are you up-to-date at Windows Update? Ave you tried disabling your
anti-virus app and/or firewall (Careful!) to see if one or both of them may
be interfering?

 

[john chapman]

My earlier response of 9 hours ago still has not been posted, but I
have updated info.

First, I do not have this problem using Netscape. This would imply
that the problem is within IE, and not in my firewall protection or in
Windows itself. I can open local mpg and pdf files with my IE browser
(pointers in address line), but cannot from a web site. Outside of IE
clicking on mpg and pdf files will open them in VMP and Acrobat, as
expected. Turning off my firewall does not help. Since the question
was asked, I can open a Word document and Excel spreadsheet via the IE
browser by clicking on it.

Correction. When I click on a link for a pdf, I get a very small box
with a red circle and blue triangle and square, and not the red x I
indicated earlier.

My windows is fully up-to-date per MS site.

 

[john chapman]

Another update. Found a post related to the pdf problem pointing me
to the adobe site. Some changes in the latest reader, which I DL'd
and installed after removing the installed version (same version
number)cured my IE pdf problem. Nevertheless, at 8:30pm on Thurs
night my mpg/IE problem remains.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP IE/OE]

My earlier response of 9 hours ago still has not been posted, but I
have updated info.

First, I do not have this problem using Netscape. This would imply
that the problem is within IE, and not in my firewall protection or in
Windows itself. I can open local mpg and pdf files with my IE browser
(pointers in address line), but cannot from a web site. Outside of IE
clicking on mpg and pdf files will open them in VMP and Acrobat, as
expected. Turning off my firewall does not help. Since the question
was asked, I can open a Word document and Excel spreadsheet via the IE
browser by clicking on it.

Correction. When I click on a link for a pdf, I get a very small box
with a red circle and blue triangle and square, and not the red x I
indicated earlier.

My windows is fully up-to-date per MS site.

If it is only .pdf files, then read on and see if this is relevant:
You may have an invalid plugin.
Netscape-Style Plug-ins Do Not Work After Upgrading Internet Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=303401

Remove the plugin with Regedit.exe
Start-Run-Regedit.exe
Navigate down to this key and remove it, after exporting it as a
normal safety precaution.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\Plugins\Extension\.pdf

If that key exists, then you will see what plugin has been installed.
(QuickTime by the looks of it and if so, I believe they have a fix)
The key does not normally exist.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE
Please respond in Newsgroup only. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

 

[john chapman]

There is joy in mudville tonight. Finally decided my mpg problem was
a bad registry setting. Removed WMP, DL'd another copy and installed
it. Now mpg files will open in IE via WMP. Joy!