Cannot launch ANY programs

  • Thread starter Thread starter ralf
  • Start date Start date
R

ralf

No matter what program I decide to launch, whether using a desktop
icon, a selection fromt he start menu, or even typing the full path of
the EXE file in the RUN window, I cannot launch anything. It always
brings up the "Open With" dialog box. What is going on?

I thought about restoring my windows to an earlier date, but "System
Restore" gives me the same dialog box. I've tried too many things to
even mention here and I am now at a loss for what to try next.

Any help would be appreciated immensley.

Ralf
 
I mean ... this is really bad ... i can't even launch the calculator,
notepad or wordpad. I don't seem to have a problem with launching my
browser, or I wouldn't be able to post this message. I can also run
explorer and navigate my drives. But running any other programs ... no
go.

Help!
 
I mean ... this is really bad ... i can't even launch the calculator,
notepad or wordpad. I don't seem to have a problem with launching my
browser, or I wouldn't be able to post this message. I can also run
explorer and navigate my drives. But running any other programs ... no
go.

Help!
Click to expand...


See Doug Knox's web site for a fix
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

rgds
Roberto
 
S.Sengupta wrote:
Check it here:-
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

regards,
S.Sengupta[MS-MVP]
Click to expand...

Thank you for the help. I was able to reassociate many of my programs,
some not. Most crucial of all, I still cannot launch the System Restore
from the "Start\Accessories\System Tools" menu. And "Help and Support"
I can't launch at ALL! So I'm still in a bit of a bind. I can do some
of my work, but all is not yet well.

Anybody have any other suggetions.

Ralf
 
Thanks again for the help. Looking into the posted fixes along with a
good night's sleep helped me figure out a quick fix of my own. I'll
share it with all fo you. My apologies if this is already known, for it
does seem quite simple.

1. Open any Explorer File Manager window.
2. Select Menu heading "Tools"
3. Select Tools menu item "Folder Options..."
4. Select Folder Options tab "File Types"
5. Click "NEW" button
6. Type EXE in the "File Extension:" text box.
7. Click "OK"
At this point, EXE will be listed at the top of you associations
window.
A note below this list mentions that you've made a custom change
to the association for this extension and suggests you click the
restore button below. Do so.

Then you're done. The REG file I downloaded only did so much, but
following this procedure gave me back control of my computer.
Calculator works, regedit works, even System Restore. from the Start
menu.

I do hope this helps someone else down the line.
 
Did anyone ask you to check your registry key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe]
@="exefile"
"Content Type"="application/x-msdownload"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\PersistentHandler]
@="{098f2470-bae0-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}"

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exefile

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile]
@="Application"
"EditFlags"=hex:38,07,00,00
"TileInfo"="prop:FileDescription;Company;FileVersion"
"InfoTip"="prop:FileDescription;Company;FileVersion;Create;Size"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\DefaultIcon]
@="%1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open]
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\DropHandler]
@="{86C86720-42A0-1069-A2E8-08002B30309D}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\PifProps]
@="{86F19A00-42A0-1069-A2E9-08002B30309D}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\ShimLayer Property
Page]
@="{513D916F-2A8E-4F51-AEAB-0CBC76FB1AF8}"

See if your entries are similar to the above.
 
Lawrence said:
Did anyone ask you to check your registry key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe
Click to expand...

Brings up a good question. There IS a registry key entry as follows:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.ex_

Is this normal? It looks awfully suspicious. Why would there be an
underscore?

I also found

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.sy_
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.dl_
and
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.in_
 
Those are fine. They are just compressed file extensions. However, are
there the ones I mentioned?

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile

If not, that's your problem. THEY MUST BE THERE.
 
NewScience said:
Those are fine. They are just compressed file extensions. However, are
there the ones I mentioned?

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile

If not, that's your problem. THEY MUST BE THERE.
Click to expand...

Yes, they are all there, all is well, thanks for the tips.
 
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