Hey, this is my 1st post and I could really do with some help! It seems
like nearly all my files on Windows XP cannot be opened. For example,
when I select a program from the desktop I get the following message:

'To open this file, Windows needs to know what program created it.
Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually
select it from a list of programs on your computer.'

This problem applies to all of the programs on my desktop and if I try
to access them through the Start Menu.

Also all of them seem to have '.Ink' at the ending.

I would really appreciate some help as my computer is almost useless at
the moment!
Thanks


--
littlelegspinne

I'm a bit confused. When you go to the Start menu, are you selecting, say,
Excel, or are you selecting an Excel file to open? For a file, you should be
able to right-click it, choose "open with...", select the application that
should work with it, check the box "Always use the selected program to open
this kind of file", and it should open without problems. If your actual
applications are now ending in .ink, you may have some type of virus. (It
doesn't sound good if ALL your icons are now ending in .ink -- sounds like a
bug.)

j

"littlelegspinne" wrote:

>
> Hey, this is my 1st post and I could really do with some help! It seems
> like nearly all my files on Windows XP cannot be opened. For example,
> when I select a program from the desktop I get the following message:
>
> 'To open this file, Windows needs to know what program created it.
> Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually
> select it from a list of programs on your computer.'
>
> This problem applies to all of the programs on my desktop and if I try
> to access them through the Start Menu.
>
> Also all of them seem to have '.Ink' at the ending.
>
> I would really appreciate some help as my computer is almost useless at
> the moment!
> Thanks
>
>
> --
> littlelegspinne
>

littlelegspinne wrote:

>
> Hey, this is my 1st post and I could really do with some help! It
> seems like nearly all my files on Windows XP cannot be opened. For
> example, when I select a program from the desktop I get the following
> message:
>
> 'To open this file, Windows needs to know what program created it.
> Windows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually
> select it from a list of programs on your computer.'
>
> This problem applies to all of the programs on my desktop and if I try
> to access them through the Start Menu.
>
> Also all of them seem to have '.Ink' at the ending.
>
> I would really appreciate some help as my computer is almost useless
> at the moment!
> Thanks
>
>
You can apply the .exe fix from MVP Doug Knox:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

Please be aware that a common cause of this problem is virus infection.
Make sure your computer is completely clean:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

I apologize it was '.Lnk' at the ending. I've since found it was a
common problem and am now sorting it. I apprectiate your trying to help
though!


--
littlelegspinne

Download IEFix from http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFIX.htm.
Close IE and run IEFix. Make sure you have your XP CD handy when you
run this.
This will repair any errors your IE installation has.

Then if you dont check your PC for spyware/adware etc:

First off click 'Start / Run' and type 'msconfig'.
Pick 'Selective startup' the untick the 'Load Startup Items' box.
Click OK but dont reboot.

Open up Internet Explorer.
Click 'Tools / Internet Options'.
Click the 'Programs' tab.
Click the 'Manage Add Ons' button.
Disable any addons not published by 'Microsoft Corporation'.

Download the three following programs.
Spybot S&D
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Searc...-10289035.html
Adaware http://tinyurl.com/ahklk
and Microsoft Antispyware http://tinyurl.com/47cus
Update the programs over the internat so they have the latest
definitions, then run them in safe mode (keep pressing F8 at boot and
select the 'Safe Mode' option) to get rid of any nasties.


--
d_may
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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View this thread: http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/...phtml?t=245133

littlelegspinne wrote:

>
> I apologize it was '.Lnk' at the ending. I've since found it was a
> common problem and am now sorting it. I apprectiate your trying to
> help though!
>
>
The fix I suggested from Doug Knox will repair .lnk associations, too.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User