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.lnk extension problem

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7.2K views 20 replies 3 participants last post by  joeten  
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#1 ·
Today all my files turned to the extension .LNK instead of .jpg .exe ect. and its really hard to navigate my computer, I cant even open paint, or notepad. Every single file on my computer has conformed to this .LNK extension. It took great time to open this Internet Explorer browser to post here, and much navigating. I can not open any of my programs. Say I double click a shortcut on my desktop to go to internet explorer I get a file download window popup asking me if I want to open save or cancel just as if I were downloading any other file. I have tried an system restore but I believe that the .LNK extension change has not allowed me to.
In a nutshell : All my computers files are .LNK and can not be accessed. Help please.
 
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#4 ·
After working over 14 hours trying to figure out how to get this .LNK problem I had no luck. Now with SF info I have the regedit.exe working. Thank you so much!! Now I am trying to fix things in the registry. This has always been no mans land for me but I will try. I did find a Gynormous number of files in CLSID with many digits and afpha characters following next to the file folder. I assume they must all be removed.
 
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#5 ·
Working down through the assoc list one of them made all the desktop icons function but still have not been able to make the icons reapear as they were B4. Norton working and super anti spywear in good shape. Thank you again for the help. I was just getting ready to trash the HD and start over.
Eddie
 
#6 ·
Once you get the icons to function, if you click each one, it should associate with the program that it opens and it should change the Icon. Go through the rest of the list on that link I sent you in Post #3 if you still have problems.
 
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#7 ·
Opening the program does not change the Icon on the desk top. I even loaded a new Quicken program and it did not install the correct Icon. Must be one of the assoc. lines that I have not put in the registry yet. Gees, there are so many of them. Not sure which one got rid of the .lnk problem but just like magic all of the sudden the .lnk were gone. Thank you so much. It has been two days work now but better that starting over with a new HD. It is my oldest machine, 10 years, but I have maxed the memory and HD (80GB) and it runs fine on the home network. Going to take it to our second home on the 15th. Penang Malaysia, Thanks Again, You are the best!! :pray:
 
#9 ·
NO, registry cleaners usually cause more problems then they fix. And you should never pay for a program you can get for free. If typing is taking to long to fix your computer, the alternative is to backup your data and wipe the drive and reinstall Windows and your programs.
 
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#14 ·
Completed the assoc. list you sent me A to Z. Icons on desktop are still the plain vanilla type. I installed another printer and even the HP Solutions Icon is the same plain vanilla type. Any other ideas to get the Icons to work again? Also on boot up there is a 4 x 4 window coming on the screen with something illegable in the upper left corner and something illegable inside the box. there is an OK box at the bottom. I click OK and it continues the boot normally. I looked in startup but I don't see anything there causing it. I have removed the Lavasoft Adaware software that caused all this .LNK problem. Everything is working ok except the icons. Also my 2007 Office Ultimate disk is not recognized when inserted to update my 2003 Office on this computer. All other CDs for other programs are recognized such as the HP Printer I loaded.
Edward
 
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#16 ·
spunk.funk said:
If your Office Disk does not start automatically go to My Computer and double click the CD drive with the disc in it. Find SetUp.EXE and double click it to start the install. I tried this but the computer does not see the CD. Keeps asking for the CD. I bought this 2007 software a few years ago loading it on my desk top, laptop and wifes laptop. Maybe there is a switch that turns if off after 3 loads? I don't know. The computer I am working on is 10 years ols and I was just trying to get it ready to take to my second home.
As for your Icons on the Left side of this page File Associations Fixes, I think this is hopeless. Appears the icons are gone for good. Funny Lavasoft Adaware has not put out a fix for this problem they have created, :(

I\
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