Hello SAF members,

For some months now I've been getting error messages at startup, saying that the Registry had to use an earlier version. I muddled through.

Today I find that almost all of the shortcuts on my desktop don't work. The same applies when trying to start from application files (**.exe) in explorer ... including Control Panel.

This is the error message I get:

"This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Folder Options control panel."

I tried to go back to an earlier restore point, but this was disabled too. So is Windows help file.

Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance,
Tarz

Welcome to SAF;
The quick answer to your problem appears to be Over the top install:

configure your computer to start from the xp-sp2 cd, insert your windows xp cd, when the "press any key to boot from cd" message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the windows xp cd. when you see the message displayed on the welcome to setup screen, press enter, to setup windows xp now, press enter. at this point an option to press r to enter the recovery console is displayed. do not select this option.
on the windows xp licensing agreement screen, press f8 to agree to the license agreement.
make sure that your current installation of windows xp is selected in the box, and then press the r key to repair windows xp.

follow the instructions on the screen to complete setup.

Hello Moon,

Thank you for your advice. I have been somewhat fearful of doing an over the top installation ... are there any problems associated with this? I use the Adobe Creative Suite which must be registered with Adobe, to work at all. This software helps me earn a living. Will the over the top installation affect software registrations of the sort? What has been your experience?
Please let me know.

For the information of all forum members, I've found the answer to my problem. On ITQueries.com Paul Wallbank has a link to Doug Knox's site which has a great list of registry fixes. I followed Doug's advice and installed the fixes for (.exe) and later (.lnk). This worked perfectly for me. The URL is:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

Best wishes to SAF members and I really would like to hear of any downside associated with over the top installation.

Thanks again, Tarz.

I've never had OTT mess with installed apps. it just replaces windows files.