Internet Explorer & Windows XP

[codeWarrior456]

I have Internet Explorer 6 installed on my Windows XP machine and I am having a wierd problem with it. The problem that I am having is my HTM and HTML documents are not displaying an icon. I could change the program that they open with, and even change the icon file that they used but neither one of these things fixed the problem. I did find a round about solution, but it isn't a very good one because if you open up internet explorer it will say that it is not the default web browser, and if you click yes to assign it as default the icons go back to being "blank". Basically my solution thus far has been this... If you delete the HTM and HTML file extensions under the folder options and then open both of the file types and tell the computer to use Netscape it will associate with Netscape and give the files icons. From their you can go back into the folder options and choose and different icon, the one for internet explorer. However, if you change the program it opens with the files go back to the "blank" icon. Therefore, in order to change which program is used without messing up the icon you have to go into the registry and change two entries. The first is under autohtm and the second is under autohtml. I just changed the open command entry for both files from netscape back to IE. For some reason, when you do that it fixes the problem, even though going through the Folder Options menu does essentially the same thing.

If anyone can give me some suggestions on how I might be able to fix this problem it would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks.

 

[linney]

The Repair option for IE in Add and Remove/ Windows Components, might be able to repair your IE Icons.

Using System Restore to go back to when every thing worked might fix it.


You can reinstall IE in Windows XP by clicking Start, Run and entering the following command:

rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection DefaultInstall 132 c:\windows\inf\ie.inf

You will need to have your XP CD available. You will need to redo any IE Updates too.


How to Reinstall or Repair Internet Explorer and Outlook Express in Windows XP (Q318378)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q318/3/78.asp

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

If they don't work you could try repairing windows itself by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[Ali147gta]

You wont need the CD as you can point to the I386 folder for source files.

You can also browse to the c:\windows\inf directory, right click ie.inf and then left click install.

 

[codeWarrior456]

I tried both re-installing IE and running the SFC tool but neither one of those things fixed the problem. I also tried removing IE 6, and then I tried to install IE 5.5, but it wouldn't let me because it said a newer version of IE was detected, even after the uninstall. So I reinstalled IE 6 and still had the same problem. I then told the computer to associate the files with Netscape again and all of a sudden it switched to the IE icon and they opened with IE instead of Netscape, which is what I told them to open with. It is quite wierd, but things "seem" to work now. I'll just keep my fingers crossed and hope that things don't get messed up again.

 

[bcastner]

It may be tedious, but some other program is grabbing the file association.

If Windows Explorer constantly chances at the folder level, you may have to dig deeper to see what XP identifies the file type for each to be.

right-click, Properties, Advanced and see if there is any other details of the file that could have been capture by another IDE editor, viewer, or even Netscape.

Since you are comfortable with regedit, delete all entries under IE for browser extensions and reboot.

It is puzzling.

 

[bcastner]

I apoligize for one last quick note, under IE, Tools, Internat Options, Advanced make certain you uncheck "Use Browser Extensions".

I am sure you already have, just checking.