Windows Forum

Ask something
Discussion Locked

No desktop in XP pro

0 helpful
2 replies

by gsawyer

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

After I log on to windows, explorer does not run. I can
go to task manager (16 processes are running) but cannot
run new ones. Just get the msg "This file does not have a
program associated with it for performing this action."
Same thing in safe mode. I have done hardware
diagnostics, chkdsk and virus check (computer is visible
over the network)and found no problems.

Has anyone encountered this problem.

2 replies

by sramesh2k

Looks like .exe file association is corrupted.

Fix the file association:

Copy the following to a notepad document and save as "fix.reg"

REGEDIT4

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe]
@="exefile"
"Content Type"="application/x-msdownload"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe\PersistentHandler]
@="{098f2470-bae0-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}"

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile]
@="Application"
"EditFlags"=hex:38,07,00,00
"TileInfo"="prop:FileDescription;Company;FileVersion"
"InfoTip"="prop:FileDescription;Company;FileVersion;Create;Size"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\DefaultIcon]
@="%1"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open]
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\open\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shell\runas\command]
@="\"%1\" %*"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\DropHandler]
@="{86C86720-42A0-1069-A2E8-08002B30309D}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\PifProps]
@="{86F19A00-42A0-1069-A2E9-08002B30309D}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile\shellex\PropertySheetHandlers\ShimLayer Property Page]
@="{513D916F-2A8E-4F51-AEAB-0CBC76FB1AF8}"

--------------

Logon in safe mode > administrator and apply this patch. If this does not work, try performing system restore from command prompt.

304449 - HOW TO: Start the System Restore Tool from a Command Prompt
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=304449

by gsawyer

The answer sounds like it's on the right track but I can't run the registry script; same error message as exe's.

This discussion is closed to new replies.