Programs icons don't work

[Jimmy Hsieh]

I just recently upgraded Win2k to Service Pack 4, and now
all the executable programs on my desktop won't open.

Every time my computer boots up, the programs within
the "Startup" folder that usually run in the system tray
instead all display this error message:

"This file does not have a program associated with it for
performing this action. Create an association in the
Folder Options control panel."

I get the same message when I try to access Internet
Explorer or even the Command Prompt shortcut. It seems as
if the Win2k operating system just won't recognize .exe
files as unique programs. The only command my computer
does recognize is the one to shut it down!

I have no idea how this happened, but I'm hoping there's a
simpler solution than having to reinstall Win2k!

Profuse thanks in advance to anyone who can shed light on
my predicament.

Jimmy

 

[Jerold Schulman]

I just recently upgraded Win2k to Service Pack 4, and now
all the executable programs on my desktop won't open.

Every time my computer boots up, the programs within
the "Startup" folder that usually run in the system tray
instead all display this error message:

"This file does not have a program associated with it for
performing this action. Create an association in the
Folder Options control panel."

I get the same message when I try to access Internet
Explorer or even the Command Prompt shortcut. It seems as
if the Win2k operating system just won't recognize .exe
files as unique programs. The only command my computer
does recognize is the one to shut it down!

I have no idea how this happened, but I'm hoping there's a
simpler solution than having to reinstall Win2k!

Profuse thanks in advance to anyone who can shed light on
my predicament.

Jimmy

See tip 6615 in the 'Tips & Tricks' at http://www.jsiinc.com

Jerold Schulman
Windows: General MVP
JSI, Inc.
http://www.jsiinc.com

 

[Jimmy Hsieh]

Thanks so much for helping out and pointing me in the
right direction. I applied the registry edit and the
programs' icons work now.

Unfortunately, I guess I was a bit rash; I tried re-
installing Win2k before I received your note, in the hopes
that that would resolve my issue. Obviously it didn't
work, but now I am faced with a new problem.

While attempting to upgrade Win2k to SP4 (again), an error
box pops up saying:

"The file f:\windows\system32\drivers\atapi.sys is open or
in use by another application. Close all other
applications and then click Retry."

I had exited all the programs in my system tray and still
this error box appears. How do I close the atapi.sys file?

As always, much thanks in advance.

Jimmy.

 

[Jimmy Hsieh]

Just an update:

I found a solution to the "atapi.sys" file mystery; it
appears that many other people had the same problem, and
it was resolved by either renaming the file to whatever or
deleting it altogether.

There doesn't seem to be any reports of long-term
detrimental effects of deleting this file, but I'll keep
it in a separate folder just in case.

Thanks so much again for your assistance.

Jimmy.