Help - something weird with change/open with

[dave xnet]

I downloaded an FLV video file, but it's not associated with
any application on my PC. I know VLC can play it, so I right click
icon/file, hit the Change... button.

On the next page, at the top ,it says recommended program:
"Directshow SDK filter graph editor"
Now, Graphedt it a useful program, don't get me wrong.
But as a default for a movie file? Seems a little odd.

So I look down the list of "other programs:"
VLC is not listed so I choose browse,select
\videolan\vlc\vlc.exe.
When I find it and click OK, the option to
"Always use the selected program to open this kind of
file" is greyed out.
And sure enough, when I doubleclick the FLV, Graphedt opens.

There is something odd about using this facility to assign a program.
Did I do it wrong? How's it supposed to work?
WHY isn't VLC in the list of other programs?

Thanks for any info.
Dave

 

[SingaporeWebDesign]

Hello,

Try using this program to register the association
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/openwithadd.htm

--
Singapore Web Design
http://www.bootstrike.com/Webdesign/
Singapore Web Hosting
http://www.bootstrike.com/WinXP/faq.html
Windows XP FAQ

 

[dave xnet]

Hello,

Try using this program to register the association
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/openwithadd.htm

Well, I found a way to do it, using explore/tools/folder options

The very fact that some third party wrote a program to do it,
and none of the experienced MVP's and others attempted to explain
it here, speaks volumes.

Dave

 

[PA Bear]

dave xnet wrote:

Well, I found a way to do it, using explore/tools/folder options

The very fact that some third party wrote a program to do it,
and none of the experienced MVP's and others attempted to explain
it here, speaks volumes.

Simply because an MVP or other /volunteers/ here didn't choose to read
and/or reply to your post doesn't mean none of us knew how to fix it, Dave.
800-1,000 posts/day or more isn't unusual here and few of us read every
thread/post...let alone reply to all posts within 24 hours.

 

[dave xnet]

dave xnet wrote:


Simply because an MVP or other /volunteers/ here didn't choose to read
and/or reply to your post doesn't mean none of us knew how to fix it, Dave.
800-1,000 posts/day or more isn't unusual here and few of us read every
thread/post...let alone reply to all posts within 24 hours.

Hi PA Bear,
I didn't mean to put down posters here, my goodness, I've
answered my own share over the years.
Just a little bit of frustration, based on reading old posts
related to the problem. It *seems* as if the interface through
(right click) / properties/change/other program, etc,etc.
is broken. I've never seen any one say it's broken,
but at the same time, I've never seen anyone explain how it
works (if it *does* work).

Dave

 

[PA Bear]

Hi PA Bear,
I didn't mean to put down posters here, my goodness, I've
answered my own share over the years.
Just a little bit of frustration, based on reading old posts
related to the problem. It *seems* as if the interface through
(right click) / properties/change/other program, etc,etc.
is broken. I've never seen any one say it's broken,
but at the same time, I've never seen anyone explain how it
works (if it *does* work).

Tip: Whenever you're installing anything, opt for a Custom install, and then
be careful when opting-in to things like "Always use this application to
open the following files...".

You can just about always make another app the default again by
(Shift+)right-clicking on a saved file type, selecting Open With, selecting
the application and checking the "Always open with..." box.

 

[dave xnet]

Tip: Whenever you're installing anything, opt for a Custom install, and then
be careful when opting-in to things like "Always use this application to
open the following files...".

You can just about always make another app the default again by
(Shift+)right-clicking on a saved file type, selecting Open With, selecting
the application and checking the "Always open with..." box.

Thank you PA Bear.
I've noticed before that if you select "open with..."
sometimes the "always use the selected program to open the file"
is greyed out.
But if you use shift/"open with", it's no longer greyed out.
Very interesting.

Is it documented anywhere?
Thanks again,
Dave

 

[PA Bear]

Thank you PA Bear.
I've noticed before that if you select "open with..."
sometimes the "always use the selected program to open the file"
is greyed out.
But if you use shift/"open with", it's no longer greyed out.
Very interesting.

Is it documented anywhere?
Thanks again

YW. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306551 and
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307859

 

[dave xnet]

YW. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306551 and
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307859

Thanks for the KB links. Problem is, neither of these cover the
possibility of the "Always use the selected program to open this kind
of file" being greyed out. Doesn't even mention it.

Dave

 

[PA Bear]

Thanks for the KB links. Problem is, neither of these cover the
possibility of the "Always use the selected program to open this kind
of file" being greyed out. Doesn't even mention it.

One or more options/settings in an ever-growing number of third-party
applications may be the responsible party. These include but are not limited
to Ad-aware's Ad-Watch, Spybot Tea Timer, SpywareBlaster, SpySweeper,
Spyware Doctor, Norton AntiVirus, McAfee VirusScan and/or Antispyware, and
Zone Alarm (Free and Pro).

[Here's something else about NAV that you may not be aware of:
http://bertk.mvps.org/html/symantecdoc1.html]