Lost 'Run' and 'Find Target' functionality....

¿WhyMe?

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Mar 18, 2002, 11:11:07 PM3/18/02

to

Greetz. Once upon a time, I could enter, say, "C:\Program Files\" (or any other
directory) in the Run dialog box that is accessible via the Start Menu, and the
window would pop up automatically. Also once upon a time, clicking on the "Find
Target" button in the Properties window of any shortcut would pop open that
directory.

Now, for some reason, using the Run command to open a folder, or using the "Find
Target" function, pop up an error window that says,
------------
Windows cannot open this file:
File: [* directory name goes here, e.g., 'Program Files' *]

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

What do you want to do?
( ) Use the Web service to find the appropriate program
( ) Select the program from a list
------------
Pursuing either of these options does not solve the problem.

Any thoughts on how to solve this??? I am *so* lost and *so* frustrated right
now.... I've been racking my brain for hours, to no avail....

(Note: The Run functionality works fine for specific file types or for http/URL
protocols. It just doesn't work for directories or drives.)

Thanks.
--¿WhyMe? -- Today, truly, my monicker has great relevance.

PS> My suspicion is that this is related to file-type associations. I've had
several problems this past week with file-type associations for
Folders/FileFolders and Drive mysteriously auto-disappearing and stuff.

Is there any way to get winXP-Pro to re-install or re-set the file associations
to how they were right out-of-the-box? I wouldn't mind starting over with that,
right about now..... Even if I manage to get this stuff working again, I feel
like it's just duct-taped together!!

Doug Knox MS-MVP

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Mar 18, 2002, 11:31:57 PM3/18/02

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The Registry branch for HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder is damaged or corrupted. The attached REG file (ZIPped) is the default settings for this Registry key.

Recommendation: Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder Right click on the Folder sub key and select Export. This backs up what's already there. Next, right click and select Delete.

Open the attached ZIP file and extract the REG file. Double click the REG file and double click it. Answer yes to the import prompt.

You should be back in business.

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/9x
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Associate Expert
ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
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"¿WhyMe?" <aieee...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:u8XnHwvzBHA.1628@tkmsftngp07...

folder_reg.zip

¿WhyMe?

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Mar 19, 2002, 5:06:52 PM3/19/02

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Thanks! You're a life-saver!

By the way - Do you have any other such quick-repair .reg files? For other
file-types, for example? (Just in case something goes wrong at some other
point...)

THANKS again!...
--¿WhyMe?

"Doug Knox MS-MVP" <dk...@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:Ox6$w7vzBHA.2520@tkmsftngp05...

Doug Knox MS-MVP

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Mar 19, 2002, 5:44:03 PM3/19/02

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There are some on my web site, XP Fixes section under File Association Fixes. As others get broken, I'll add them as well :)

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows XP/9x
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Associate Expert
ExpertZone - http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.

"¿WhyMe?" <aieee...@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:OwpNTJ5zBHA.2112@tkmsftngp02...