Windows Explorer File Association

Windows XP Home Sp3.

I installed a new program, WinDVD 11, which works OK except I could not make a file association in Explorer. Thinking the reason was that WinDVD 8 was still in the machine, I deleted Win DVD 8. That didn't help, so I reinstalled WinDVD 8. However, now I cannot make a file association for that, either.

In Explorer, I highlight the video file. Then right click and get the association menu. Then select "open with ". WinDVD is not there and is not in the "other programs" list. If I select "browse" and scroll to the appropriate exe file (WinDVD.exe) and select it, the file still does not appear on the "open with "or "other programs" list.

Both of the programs will run if selected from the appropriate exe file in the Windows Programs folder.

It is as if the ability of Explorer to make a new association is broken, although the associations already in place work ok.

Please help

 

When you say "deleted ", does that mean you properly uninstalled the program?

WinDVD - Is that an Intervideo / Corel product?

 

It might pay to completely uninstall BOTH WinDVD8 and 11 and start with install of one only. Possibly Win DVD 11 would be better to use as it's newer edition. Neil.

 

Had a look at Corel (WinDVD) and it would pay to make sure you get all the necessary updates as users are worried about the latest owners of the coy. are a bit behind the 8 ball at the moment.
Vector Capital are the new owners of the Corel Group. Neil.

 

Thank you for your responses.

I should have used the word “uninstalled” instead of “deleted”. I use add/remove programs and sometimes Revo. WinDVD 8 was an Intervideo product which was bought by Corel. WinDVD 11 is a Corel product. There are a couple of updates for WinDVD 11, but I don’t think they are responsible for the problem.

I uninstalled 8 and there was no difference. I then uninstalled 11 so as to start fresh. I then tried to reinstall 11 but it refused to go, giving an error of “Setup.xml could not be loaded. This may indicate that the file is corrupt”. I don’t know if the setup.xml is part of the installation program or something that is supposed to be in Windows somewhere. So this is problem #2.

I then reinstalled 8 just to make sure something in Windows that had to with program installations was working ok. WinDVD 8 went in ok, but explorer would not recognize it as an installed program.

Something having to do with entering new programs into the list that Explorer sees is not working. All the other program associations in Explorer seem to work ok, but new ones cannot be entered.

I then installed WinDVD 11 into my spare computer, which also contains WinDVD 8. My spare computer is identical to the main one, only without nearly as many apps. Both 8 and 11 are recognized in the association list in Explorer, and I can select either one of them, and they work as they are supposed to.

So, it looks as though the main problem resides in the main computer and it’s ability to enter new programs into the Explorer association list. The new problem seems to have happened as a result of uninstalling 11. WinDVD 11 just will not reinstall in the main computer, but went into the spare computer without a hitch.

Your continued support will be appreciated.

Stu

 

Have you tried to run the command sfc /scannow? I have used it with success a few times.

Here is some more info to guide you with the command (such as editing the registry to stop the tool from asking for the install disk)...

http://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

 

I work in the registry all the time. Make sure you BACK UP the REGISTRY.

 

I didn't know about sfc. I checked and all the files seem to be in the computer. Something like 312 megs worth. Although I've been into computers since I built my own in 1980, files like that have always got me in trouble. Chkdsk once destroyed my entire system by overwriting thousands of files--something about security. Then another time I was following instructions about trying to eliminate a virus (which I later found didn't exist) and a program installed some kind of file which prompts a choice during the bootup process. It could not be removed. I finally shortened the boot process choice to 2 seconds so I don't notice it.

I have triple redundant backups with Acronis, EaseUS Todo and Macrium Reflect. They go back a year or so. Acronis has been problematic by seeming not to work at all and I have to abort it. I really wouldn't use any of them except as a last resort. Some folks use restores often, but I don't like the vulnerability they play around with.

I rarely install a new program which requires an association choice, so the fault in Explorer could have been around a long time. Does this seem like a system file fault??? Is it system restore time??? I sure hope not.

 

Do the sfc /scannow first would be my advice. I've done it many times and had no problems.
If there is still a problem - then I would try a System Restore to a point before your problem occurred.
I haven't heard of anyone losing any Data/Files or getting Software installed by carrying out those remedies.
SFC is checking your i386 File which is the hub of your system as I understand.

If you follow the instructions in the link that James gave you, you will read about the need for updates after the check. If you have a "slipstreamed" CD/DVD of your OS, even better. Neil.

 

Thanks, LJ, I should have mentioned that.

In XP, I use a combination of System Restore and / or ERUNT to back my system...

Why I Dumped Windows System Restore for ERUNT

ERUNT

 

You're welcome James Martin.

 

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

Back in the days of Windows ME I used System Restore almost weekly! But I’ve never used it in XP. I see there are system checkpoints back as far as July 11. I haven’t directly created a system restore. Only those system checkpoints appear. Are they the same as if I created them? Does a system restore having anything to do with programs which were installed since that date?

Does system restore merely back up the registry? The registry is full of entries which relate to installed software. I just noticed a registry backup I made back in 2011. If I was to restore that registry, I would think it would play havoc with all programs loaded since that time.

 

On dates in system restore that you installed a program will be listed and the time of install including any Windows and/or MS updates. There is a restore point created every 24hrs or if there are any updates installed. If you didn't change the settings. Any programs installed after the restore point you choose to revert back to have the potential of being removed from the system including updates. It's good practice to create a restore point just before you install a program. Doing so circumvents the loss of any prior installed updates and programs from being lost.

 

No, it's more than that. It backs up your registry, programs, and settings for a particular date and time.

I would be worried about restoring registry only settings that go back to 2011. I think it could play havoc with your system.

 

My apologies for forgetting the registry part of my post. I was taking for granted that sdculp had some working knowledge of the reg. Technically not all reg keys from the uninstalled program are changed or removed. You will sometimes still find residual entries under HKLM when you drill down to reg key Uninstall but not at all times. When I got a new HP Printer it would not let me install Smart Web printing. I searched the reg and found an entry under the Uninstall key for my old HP 8180. I deleted that entry and I finally got that part of the program to install. When you uninstall Iolo System Mechanic it leaves behind keys from HKCR down to HKLM and them some. It's technology nothing is etched in stone.

 

I know what’s in the registry and how to find it, but unless I was desperate and someone told me just what change to make I wouldn’t touch it. I would be risking more damage than was already done. I do use CCleaner. I’ve heard some don’t like it, but it has worked well for me over the years.

The way this thread is going, it sounds as though the problem is with some system file which is not properly informing Explorer what has been installed? It has no effect on anything that I have noticed and file associations already there work OK. So, the problem could have existed for a long time and never be noticed, and I can’t remember the last time a picture viewing app or any other app requiring an association was installed.

I won’t try restoring registry only.

The only system restore points are for system checkpoints, and they go back to July 11. I suppose restoring to that point would mess up any program changes made after then, but would damage be done? Would the only thing to do would be to reinstall those programs that didn’t work? And then wait for system updates to catch up?

It’s only guesswork as to how long ago the problem occurred. I found in an external hard drive, Acronis and Macrium backups going back as far as early 2011 and then more regular backups in 2012 and 2013. I suppose if I was confident in the restore process I could gradually go backwards until I found a “good” Explorer.

I should mention that the only thing in the c: drive is OS and applications. All data is in partitions d,e,f,g,h and i and external and they are backed up daily whenever a change is made. I use SyncToy for that.

I just don’t know about the problem which keeps WinDVD 11 from reloading but allows WinDVD 8 to load OK (but it doesn’t show in the association list, of course).

So what I need to do is make a prioritized approach list:

1. Try System Restore back to July 11 (assuming that’s advisable).
2. Try sfc/scannow
3. Go backwards in time with backed up C: and try to learn when the fault occurred, then go forward as far as possible. This could mean a lot of restore operations—very spooky stuff in my book!

Hopefully this will get me past the point which causes WinDVD 11 to fail to load. How does this sound?

 

Try #2 on your list in post #16.

 

I think I would try scf /scannow first - but be prepared to insert the Windows disk if it asks for it unless you change the source path in the registry to the I386 folder. I have a copy of the I386 folder on D drive and I have edited the source path to D drive accordingly.

As for restoring your system to 2011, System Restore may work provided that that particular restore point is not corrupted to begin with. I would advise doing a restore operation in safe mode, though, to help ensure success (sometimes, antivirus programs & such can interfere with the restore process).

 

System file checker sounds like a really simple and powerful tool to use. I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of it before. And it’s built right into Windows! Most of the literature having to do with fixing a broken system refers to repairing the system with the installation disk, which in my experience has always caused more confusion and problems than it fixed.

On the surface, sfc seems so obvious. Apparently it just compares the system files with what they should be and if they disagree, then it fixes them. Why isn’t it discussed more commonly?

 

I'm no expert with this tool, but some say that sfc should be used only as a last resort. I used it numbers of times myself, but I don't recall any issues with it...other than having to edit the registry to get around the disk prompts.

How are things with your file association?