File extentions changed from .EXE to .LNK ??????????????????

[Guest]

I have an HP laptop computer and all the ICONs on the desktop changed to
generic page icon with an .lnk extension. Now nothing works. What do I have
to do to fix this problem, short of reloading the complete system.

 

[neil]

I would try a system restore first and see what happens.

Neil

 

[bud]

I have an HP laptop computer and all the ICONs on the desktop changed to
generic page icon with an .lnk extension. Now nothing works. What do I have
to do to fix this problem, short of reloading the complete system.

Found this in a help forum. It fixed the problem for another user.
Your exefile entry(s) in the registry have become corrupt. Run REGEDIT and
import:
For Windows NT;

REGEDIT4

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

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile]
@="Application"
"EditFlags"=hex:d8,07,00,00

[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\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers]

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

Just Cut and paste to text editor, (notepad.exe) and save as a .reg
extension name anything you want.

Make sure to save the System.Dat and User.Dat files from your Windows
Directory and or the corresponding files from NT before playing the Registry
Game.

 

[bud]

I have an HP laptop computer and all the ICONs on the desktop changed to
generic page icon with an .lnk extension. Now nothing works. What do I have
to do to fix this problem, short of reloading the complete system.

Better yet, here's some registry fix's from doug knox. Your's is about 15
down the list.
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

 

[Guest]

Neil,
I when and got the tool you advised me too and it fixed the ICONs on the
destop. The ICONs still do not work ( they do not execute the proper
software). What caused they problem in the first place and where do I go
from here??

 

[neil]

If you carried out a system restore to a time before the problem started
then the icons should work as before. The LNK is just a shortcut to the
actual program file, you should be able to right click go to properties and
see where or what program the shortcut is running.
If you go to the program file and right click the exe file you can send a
shortcut to the desktop.

Neil