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Handling .pif files ?

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7 replies

by xcode

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Hi,

I recently changed the file extension from .rar to .pif.

The file now has defaulted ms-dos application as its handler. The file does not open nor does it allows me to change back the extension from .pif to .rar.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

7 replies

by charliespencer

The system is now doing exactly what it's supposed to do. .PIF is the proper extension for the file describing how Windows should run a DOS application.

Boot the system to a command prompt with either a floppy, OS installation CD, or other boot CD. You should then be able to rename the file back to the original extension.

by xcode

Thanks for your post, (Palemetto , Drew and all). I shall try to work as you suggest.

Well, I have personally found changing the file extension helpful in disguising the files which I do not wish others to explore (for some reasons); and it has seemed to work.

Usually, users experimenting and satisfying their curosity by checking the files on disk are put off by files for which they (users) have no understanding of file handler / file opening programs.

I was not sure of .pif and just tried it on a test file to see the results.

I will check it out today.
;)

by xcode

Hi

Is there any alternative for correcting this situation if the system has been formatted.

Since the system format, only fresh files exist. It seemed it would work then, but I believe that the ms-dos shortcut is still behaving as per the .pif file (.rar-->.pif).

How can the file handling be re-instated so that ms-dos functions again (how to redefine the .pif handling)?

Thanks

by drewtipton

You can start up a command prompt, go the the folder that has the file that you changed, and just "move" it from the .pif file back to the .rar extension.. it'll work... :)

by s_k_k

Just like Drew explained, I tried in my computer and i was able to rename it

by kot19

I don't know how old is this post but you can do that with cmd. Open up a cmd and type "cd.." ENTER until you get C:\> . Now copy the pif file to C:\. Rename it to something like 123. now type in cmd "RENAME 123.pif 123.rar" and hit ENTER. :)

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