XP File Download window: Open option no longer works

[Chris K]

When I proceed to download an e-mail attachment, the standard XP window pops
up asking me if I want to open or save the file. The Save option still
works, but with the Open option, either nothing happens or the program
associated with the file is activated and produces an error message. Has
anyone else been experiencing this program or know what I did to cause it and
how it can be fixed? It's nothing serious - just annoying. It never used to
do it before. Unfortunately, I've waited too long since it started to make
use of System Restore.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

When I proceed to download an e-mail attachment, the standard XP window
pops
up asking me if I want to open or save the file. The Save option still
works, but with the Open option, either nothing happens or the program
associated with the file is activated and produces an error message. Has
anyone else been experiencing this program or know what I did to cause it
and
how it can be fixed? It's nothing serious - just annoying. It never used
to
do it before. Unfortunately, I've waited too long since it started to
make
use of System Restore.

You need to supply more details, e.g.
- What mail client do you use? Outlook? Outlook Express? Yahoo?
Webmail? Other?
- Does this happen with all types of attachments? If no, which ones?
- After you have saved an attachment, can you double-click it in
Explorer?
- Does it happen while you're in "Safe Mode with Networking"?

 

[Chris K]

- Yahoo, happens with all attachments
- Yes, I can save the attachment and then double-click to open it
- I haven't tried troubleshooting in Safe Mode. I'll put this idea to test
when I get home (I'm away from my computer this week.)

 

[Chris K]

This download glitch occurs with all attachments within all e-mail programs
(Yahoo, Google, Hotmail). Operating in Safe Networking Mode doesn't make a
difference.

Saving the attachment is not affected, i.e. I can save the attachment as a
first step and then later double-click to open it as a second step.