wrong program opens a file

What are file extensions?

File extensions identify the type of file. For example, let’s say that you create a document with Microsoft Word. That document name has a .doc extension. This extension allows
Windows XP and other programs to know what kind of file it is. Using the extension, Windows XP can then try to determine what program should be used to open the file. All files have some kind of extension that identifies them.

Windows XP is able to understand file extensions, and therefore take a guess at the program you might want to use in order to work with the file. For example, Windows XP knowsthat mypic.jpeg is a picture file, and Windows XP uses Windows Picture and Fax
Viewer to open the file. The problem is that Windows XP’s guesses may be wrong and you may want a different program to open a particular file.

To solve the file/program problem, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the file that is giving you problems--> click Open With--> Choose Program. If the Open With option does not appear--> click Open.

2. In the Open With window--> choose the program to use. If you always want Windows to open the same kind of file with the same program--> select the "Always Use the Selected Program to Open This Kind of File check box". If the program you want to use is not listed--> click the Browse button to locate it. Click OK when you are done.

3. You can also configure the same option using the Folder Options icon in Control Panel. Open the icon and click the File Types tab.

4. In the File Types window--> locate the file type.

Note
If you want to change a file/program association, you can make the change in either of the two ways previously described—you don’t have to do both in order to make the change.

USB 2.0 Unknown Device Issues in XP

Windows XP includes native USB support. Windows Update added support for USB 2.0 devices in January 2002. If XP does not recognize a USB 2.0 device, the cause may lie with the system's drivers, issues related to the registry or the hibernation function. Before checking the functionality of a USB device, ensure the port is USB 2.0 compatible and your system has 2.0 support installed via the Device Manager.

Change File Association In Windows XP

When you double-click a file to open it, Windows XP examines the file name extension. If Windows XP recognizes the file name extension, it opens the file in the program that is associated with that file name extension.


However, you can change the program that is associated with recognized file name extensions so that Windows XP opens all files that have this extension in the new associated program.


To display file name extensions


Depending on your settings, the file name extensions of your files may not be visible. To display the file name extensions of your files if they are not visible, follow these steps:


1. Open My Computer or Windows Explorer.


2. On the Tools menu--> click Folder Options.


3. Click the View tab.


4. In the Advanced settings box--> click to clear the Hide extensions for known file types check box.


5. Click OK.


Important:


1. You cannot use this method for a file that does not have a file name extension, or for a file that has an (.exe, .com, or .bat extension).


2. If you change the program that Windows uses to open a certain kind of file, and that program was not designed for the type of data in that file, the files may not appear correctly in the program. To be safe, note the name of the program that Windows previously used to open the file type so that you can reverse your settings if it is necessary.