[Blue Zee]

Reapply the registry patch you downloaded earlier.

Those are for WinXP.

Zee

[Tony1966]

I'm unable to do anythin until I find some way of fixing the mistake I've made on EXE files.

[Blue Zee]

What happens now exactly please, when you try starting in Normal Mode and in Safe Mode.

[Tony1966]

Normal mode freezes -

Safe mode is OK but in both applications because I have changed the EXE file association by mistake I cannot run any command or open any application with and EXE extension. I might be able to drop the registry file onto a shared network drive we have and try mergeing

[Blue Zee]

Perhaps placing it on the Desktop and running it from there?

[Blue Zee]

Can you navigate the system in Safe Mode?

If you can, rename REGEDIT.EXE to REGEDIT.COM

If you manage that, locate AUTOEXEC.BAT in the root directory C:\, right-click it select Edit.

Add this line:

C:\windows\regedit.com C:\(fill in this space)\Win98_EXE_Fix.reg

Fill the space so that it points to the exact location of that REG file.

Save the edited AUTOEXEC.BAT file and reboot.

See if that restores the EXE file association.

Zee

[Tony1966]

I've run the first fix but I still need to know what an EXE file should open with - preferably with the file extension eg C:\windows\nnnnnn

I need to change what EXE files open with and I can access the place to do it in SAFE mode


Right now I'll try your fix on the previous post

[Blue Zee]

You can also try in safe Mode renaming REGEDIT.EXE to REGEDIT.COM.

Launch after renaming and try File > Import > point to Win98_EXE_Fix.reg you downloaded.

It should import the patch.

Restart and test.

If it works rename REGEDIT.COM back to EXE.

Zee

[Tony1966]

so the new line at the end of AUTOEXEC.BET looks exactly like this - ie with the space between com and C too ???

C:\windows\regedit.com C:\Shared\Win98_EXE_Fix.reg

If so it doesn't appear to have worked however if you can point be to what EXE files should be opened with I will be able to change it in SAFE mode under

Tools
Folder Options

If I click New - EXE - Advanced - Application then OK I can go onto a box that says Details for EXE extension CHANGE - quite appropriately I have set this by mistake to DUMMY if I click other I can see my entire computer - somewhere there is the correct open with association for exe files.

Hopefully you've understood the garbled explanation

[Tony1966]

Can you also explain more clearly your instructions after the first line in post 53


Bollocks shall we just go for a restore ?????????

[Blue Zee]

You managed to rename REGEDIT.EXE to REGEDIT.COM?

If you did locate the renamed file and double-click it.

It should launch the Registry Editor.

If it works (it should) go File > Import > navigate to C:\Shared\ and point it to Win98_EXE_Fix.reg and click Open.

The patch should be imported to the registry and problem solved upon reboot.

Test that.

Zee

[Tony1966]

I can rename it to Regedit.com but it is still an exe file and therefore I cannot do anything with it.

The answer lies in the correct setting for an EXE file to open with - I;ve been trawling the web with no success

[Tony1966]

Thanks for your patience but I've decided to go for a full reinstall via the recovery CD - a bit drastic I know but given the time I've wasted already today (some of it self inflicted) it's the only way. All the important data is backed up and on a CD.

I've done it before so it's not the end of the world. No doubt I'll end up with separate problems afterwards but we'll see

Thanks again - Recovery Disc already underway

[Blue Zee]

Sorry a COM file is not an EXE file, if it doesn't run the rename was incorrect.

Try this:

Go to My Computer - Tools - Folder Options - View:
- DEselect or untick "Hide extensions for know file types", click Apply - OK

If you now locate REGEDIT.EXE (or now more probably REGEDIT.COM.EXE) rename it to REGEDIT.COM and try again launching it.

The association for EXE files is Application but I don't have any Win9x system today to tell you the exact settings.

I can do that tomorrow, bit maybe the above will help.

Zee


Edit:

Posted above without refreshing the page.
Good luck with your restore.

[Blue Zee]

One more comment:

Sorry nothing worked out and no need to thank me, we tried and we prbably could keep on trying and end up at the same spot, a reinstall.

Too many times that is the easiest and fastest way out.

Cheers,


Zee