Lost "open with"

"Mike M" wrote in message
...
It would appear that your copy of shell32.dll is damaged in
some way.

Why not replace shell32.dll, you have nothing to lose. Extract
a new copy
of shell32.dll from the Win Me cab files, it's contained in
WIN_14.CAB
which is in the Win9x folder on a Win Me CD or in either the
c:\windows\options\cabs or c:\windows\options\install folder on
your PC.
Rename it to shell32.new and place in your windows\system
folder. Using a
Win Me boot floppy, boot to an A:\ DOS prompt and then execute
the
following commands to replace the file:
REN C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHELL32.DLL SHELL32.OLD
REN C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHELL32.NEW SHELL32.DLL

Remove the boot floppy and reboot in to Win Me. Hopefully this
should now
fix the problem.

I extracted the file and was given the option to save it in it's
own directory, windows/system I think. I understand the concept
of renaming in DOS and would expect from prior experience that
shell32.dll would be locked by the OS while in Windows. But I
was wondering if I could have overwritten the old with the new
while still in Windows. Of course I would have backed up the old
file by zipping it up first. Would I have gotten a prompt that I
could not overwrite the existing shell32.dll?

--
Mike Maltby



Dave wrote:

All of them. I have Nirsoft's Shellexview installed and
found
from that that shell32.dll most likely is the handler for
open
with, at least that's what shellexview gives as its
description.
I extracted a new copy of that dll and was thinking about
replacing it but I chickened out. The only difference I can
see
between the two is that the installed (old version) does not
have
a 'created date' on its file properties and the extracted
version
does. I can only wonder if that makes a difference. I do
not
remember ever seeing a file without a created date in under
file
properties.

I thought this one was right:
We are *tightwads* in this NG.

Tomorrow always has the chance of being better.
(Assuming there is a tomorrow)

....Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.htm



On Tue, 19 Dec 2006 23:50:24 -0500, in
microsoft.public.windowsme.general, "webster72n"
wrote:


Wrong on both counts, Alan, didn't scroll down far enough.
This can't be my day.
Will have to look for tomorrow to be a better one.

Harry.


"Alan Edwards" wrote in message
.. .
Harry....one statement wrong, one statement right.

A quote from http://www.baxbex.com/products.html

OpenExpert is free for use at home! For business use please purchase a
licence.

...Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.htm



On Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:58:30 -0500, in
microsoft.public.windowsme.general, "webster72n"
wrote:


You also spent $19.95 to obtain the software, Dave.
We are *tightwads* in this NG.

Harry.


"Dave" wrote in message
...
I want to thank everyone for their help but I was able to solve
the problem with a freeware program that provides the same
functionality and more configurability (is that a word?). It's
OpenExpert available at http://www.baxbex.com/ox2.html .

I wrote what I did for a reason. If you want to try replacing the file
using a different procedure then please feel free to do so however I would
suggest you read up on Win Me's system file protection mechanism first
which is mechanism that prevents certain files, locked or not, in use or
not, from being replaced whilst Win Me is running. Shell32.dll is one of
those roughly 850 files.
--
Mike Maltby



Dave wrote:

I extracted the file and was given the option to save it in it's
own directory, windows/system I think. I understand the concept
of renaming in DOS and would expect from prior experience that
shell32.dll would be locked by the OS while in Windows. But I
was wondering if I could have overwritten the old with the new
while still in Windows. Of course I would have backed up the old
file by zipping it up first. Would I have gotten a prompt that I
could not overwrite the existing shell32.dll?

Accepted, Allen, but I was referring to reading Dave's original post more
carefully, plus his findings in the follow-up reply.
I definitely will have to put on the brakes before replying.
Also my 'Very Best Holiday Wishes' are directed towards you and everyone in
this NG, who may be reading this message.

Harry.


"Alan Edwards" wrote in message
...
I thought this one was right:
We are *tightwads* in this NG.

Tomorrow always has the chance of being better.
(Assuming there is a tomorrow)

...Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.htm



On Tue, 19 Dec 2006 23:50:24 -0500, in
microsoft.public.windowsme.general, "webster72n"
wrote:


Wrong on both counts, Alan, didn't scroll down far enough.
This can't be my day.
Will have to look for tomorrow to be a better one.

Harry.


"Alan Edwards" wrote in message
.. .
Harry....one statement wrong, one statement right.

A quote from http://www.baxbex.com/products.html

OpenExpert is free for use at home! For business use please purchase a
licence.

...Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP Windows - Internet Explorer
http://dts-l.org/index.htm



On Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:58:30 -0500, in
microsoft.public.windowsme.general, "webster72n"
wrote:


You also spent $19.95 to obtain the software, Dave.
We are *tightwads* in this NG.

Harry.


"Dave" wrote in message
...
I want to thank everyone for their help but I was able to solve
the problem with a freeware program that provides the same
functionality and more configurability (is that a word?). It's
OpenExpert available at http://www.baxbex.com/ox2.html .