Win 98 File Extension Problems

[JakeStimp]

Somehow, my computer yesterday just decided it didn't know how to play audio CDs or how to view .jpg files. So, I was able to get the audio CDs working again by switching to a different player, but the .jpg files still won't work.

It happened just out of the blue. I was organizing my photos when suddenly I found I wasn't able to view them anymore. I'd double-click and double-click but nothing would happen.

So I checked Start -> Settings -> Folder Options -> File Types, and there are 2 JPEG Image file types. One is for .jff files, and the other said it was for .jpeg and .jpe files. I tried to associate .jpg files with it too, but it wouldn't let me.

So I tried to create a new JPEG Image file type for .jpg files, but it wouldn't let me. It kept saying that the .jpg extension was already associated with another file type: jpg_auto_file. So I looked around, trying to find that file type, but I couldn't find it anywhere.

So I thought, "Hmmm... Maybe if I delete one of the JPEG Image file types, then when I restart my computer it'll automatically restore it as normal." Unfortunately, that didn't work, so now I only have 1 JPEG Image file type, and it's for jff files. So now neither .jpg or .jpe or .jpeg files are recognized by my computer.

So, basically, right now I have to open .jpg files with Internet Explorer using the "open with" function. It works, but I can't stand it. Then all my .jpg files have the wrong icons.

How on earth can I restore my JPEG Image file type to open .jpg and .jpeg files with Internet Explorer?

--Jake

[GaryRouth]

Next time you open any of the extensions you want to change the associations for, right-click on a file with that extention and select "Open With" --> for each change you want to make a permanent association for, make sure the box is checkmarked "always use this program to open this file" [in such cases, "this file" refers to "this file extension".

If you don't see an "Open With" option, you might have to delete the current association first in order to later add it back in associated to your preferred program [either with the "Open With" method, or manually in Windows Explorer under File Types].

Might want to run a round of AntiVirus & AntiSpyware scans too, just to be sure something isn't amiss there.

One other option, too, is to restore your Registry to a date prior to the file extension trouble. [boot to DOS (bootable floppy or with Win98 CD "start computer with CD-Rom support"), and from the command prompt, type

scanreg/restore

use a date from the list prior to the file extension trouble. [If you've added any programs since the start of this problem, you might need to reinstall them to re-establish those associations.]
. . . Gary

[JakeStimp]

thanks, I'll try and revert to a previous registry mode. That oughtta work fine.

[glc]

If you don't see the "open with" option, hold the shift key down while right clicking. You can also reassociate files by running winfile (yep, that's the old Windows 3.1 File Manager).

http://www.geocities.com/~budallen/associatext.html