Program association problem

my desk top loads as per normal however all icons have been replaced with the microsoft word icon. When i try to open any program it trys to open word. Virus scan shows no problems. I can't right click to open programs and i cant open them from start menu or c:\

if anyone has any suggestions it would be much appreciated.

Trainer9

 

lnk file extensions

all desk top icons are shown with the .lnk file extension. Don't know what it is or how to restore my original desk top settings.

 

False Icon Association

Hi Trainer9,

How about trying System Restore (Start / Accessories / SystemPrograms / System Restore ) Go back a day or two.

If you can't do that, then paste: sfc /scannow : in your Start command Run. You may be asked to insert your Backup CD.

If that doesn't work, download a free tweaking applications. Many have the option for fixing Icons.

One more way would be to delete a file named iconcache.db which is kept in: %userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data . This file is concealed so you will have to allow viewing "Hidden files and folders" in explorer under Tools / Folder Options / View / Advanced Settings.

Regards - Rista

 

Many time a simple loss of the proper file association can be corrected by re-entering the proper association using the assoc. command. In your case it would be:

assoc.lnk=lnkfile

Run that from a command window and perhaps you'll get lucky.

 

Since this would be registry related a restore point would be a valid suggestion but may be risky is something fishy (virus/adware/malware) is going on. Choice is yours.

To eliminate an association botch....
Perhaps an association registry patch would make this a little easier:
http://www.dougknox.com/
More specifically: (found within the above)
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm
More specifically: (again found within the above)
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/fileassoc/linkfile_fix.zip

Depending upon what is going on association wise some of the other association patches may also help such as the exe, ico or folder etc. They can't hurt and may help.

Perhaps you should export your registry before making edits or changes though and set your own restore point manually, giving it name/description you'll recognize such as "before registry asso ".