File opening problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pat Martindale
  • Start date Start date
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Pat Martindale

I have a problem with XP Pro.

When I try to open certain files I am shown a box asking me to select
the appropriate program to open the file from a list ( or search on the
web to find the appropriate prog). I choose the correct one from the
list displayed, check the box marked "always use this program" and the
prog opens OK...

My problem is that XP does not remember the option I have chosen - in
other words checking the "always use...." box has no effect.

I have to choose the program every time I wish to open certain files.

This is annoying and time consuming.

Anyone have a solution? Any and all help appreciated.

Thanks...
 
Pat

The technical term for the subject is File Association. My
understanding is that your problem is that once you have created a file
association it does not stick for reuse on the next occasion you wish to
open a file with same file extension and that you have to recreate the
file association. When you created the File Association did you check
the box before "Always use the selected program to open this kind of
file"?

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Gerry:

The Op stated that "always use the selected ..." box was checked. I can
see no reason why the association won't "stick".

GP

--->
 
Pat,

Try this route instead:

Control Panel => Folder Options => "File Types" tab.

Alter the file type associations accordingly. Note that you'll need to login to an account with administrative privileges in order to alter the file associations.

--
Regards,

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


I have a problem with XP Pro.

When I try to open certain files I am shown a box asking me to select
the appropriate program to open the file from a list ( or search on the
web to find the appropriate prog). I choose the correct one from the
list displayed, check the box marked "always use this program" and the
prog opens OK...

My problem is that XP does not remember the option I have chosen - in
other words checking the "always use...." box has no effect.

I have to choose the program every time I wish to open certain files.

This is annoying and time consuming.

Anyone have a solution? Any and all help appreciated.

Thanks...
 
You/re right. I misread the post.

--
Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
"Ramesh said:
Pat,

Try this route instead:

Control Panel => Folder Options => "File Types" tab.

Alter the file type associations accordingly. Note that you'll need to
login to an account with administrative privileges in order to alter
the file associations.
Click to expand...

Ramesh,
Thanks....

Tried that - didn't work I'm afraid..

I do have administrative privileges

One of the "problem" files is that for Real media - *.ram or *.rm
extension.

I change the association to use the correct program and the change does
not "stick" - I have to continually select the program from a list.

The problem is limited to a very few file types - generally those that I
don't use too often. Those such as *jpg, *avi, *mpg etc.. launch the
appropriate program when I click them.

Thank you to all who replied - your help is appreciated.

Regards,
 
Pat,

How about deleting .RA and .RAM file types from the list, and then reinstalling RealPlayer?

--
Regards,

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


"Ramesh said:
Pat,

Try this route instead:

Control Panel => Folder Options => "File Types" tab.

Alter the file type associations accordingly. Note that you'll need to
login to an account with administrative privileges in order to alter
the file associations.
Click to expand...

Ramesh,
Thanks....

Tried that - didn't work I'm afraid..

I do have administrative privileges

One of the "problem" files is that for Real media - *.ram or *.rm
extension.

I change the association to use the correct program and the change does
not "stick" - I have to continually select the program from a list.

The problem is limited to a very few file types - generally those that I
don't use too often. Those such as *jpg, *avi, *mpg etc.. launch the
appropriate program when I click them.

Thank you to all who replied - your help is appreciated.

Regards,
 
"Ramesh said:
Pat,

How about deleting .RA and .RAM file types from the list, and then
reinstalling RealPlayer?

--
Click to expand...
Ramesh,
Tried that one also....

In fact I have tried re-installing most of the programs affected.

Other progs affected include:

PowerISO - prog used to convert *.iso files.

FLV player - used to play flash files.

CAD files produced and saved in Turbo CAD.


The extensions used by some of these programs do not appear in the list
at Tools | Folder Options | File Types.

I have tried adding them manually and although they appear in the list
after doing so, they do not remain there. Closing the screen removes
them from the listing.

This has got me baffled!



Thanks for your help.




Regards.
 
Pat

What anti-virus programme are you using?

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
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