Desktop URL Problems

Haven't been on the forum since before Hurricane Katrina.
When we returned home I was given the below listed CPU box. I'm having a few problems. Some I've ironed out. This one just started recently.

Any Short Cut on my Desk Top that should take me to an internet URL does not work. Even in my favorites listing in the IE just shows a name, i.e., majorgeeks.url. I'm sure I must of tripped some switch somewhere.

Any one have any ideas. I'll try anything.

 

I'm still having the same problems. Can anyone help?

 

If you create a new shortcut on the desktop does that do the same? The Majorgeeks.url is just an MSDOS name IIRC rather than the actual link itself.

 

Sorry it took so long to reply. Yes it still does the same thing. When I double click on a shortcut icon to the internet, I get the File Download caution box, giving me the option to Open, Save, Cancel, or More Info.
Even if I am already connected to the internet, it doesn't make any difference which of the options I choose, it will not take me to that web page.

 

Open Windows Explorer.
Go to Tools | Folder Options | File Types.
Scroll down to URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol and select it.
Click Edit or Advanced, depending on your Windows version.
Select 'open'.
Click Edit.

"Application used to perform this action" should read:

"C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\iexplore.exe" -nohome
(Check the path to iexplore.exe to make sure that is correct and use the
double quotes.)

DDE should be checked and in the boxes below it you should have:

#1:
"%1",,-1,0,,,,
#2
IExplore
#3 (blank)

#4
WWW_OpenURL

URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy should be the same.

 

Thanks for your quick reply.

All of the above information checks out.

Question: On the Edit File Type box; The check box on Confirm open after download is checked. The box for Always show extension is not, are these correct?

 

Yes they are correct.

Try this:

Go to Start|Run and enter
"regsvr32 urlmon.dll" (without the quotes). After you get a Success
message, re-boot.

 

I did that as you suggested.

Result no change.

When I click on the desktop icon, it does open my dial-up internet connection and makes the connection. Then the box comes up giving me the info I described before.

One other observation:
In the instruction; Go to Tools | Folder Options | File Types.
Scroll down to URL:HyperText Transfer Protocol and select it., I notice that all File Types starting with URL: have N/A listed in the Extensions column. Does that tell you anything?

 

Try the URL fix from here ...
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

 

Will that work on Windows 2000?
Just want to know before I do anything drastic.

 

No. Thats OK

Try foogoo's suggestion as it was going to be my next suggestion too.

 

Well I downloaded the file the URL Fix file that fogoo suggestsed, unzipped it and then merged the file. I shut down and rebooted, I went to another web site and created a new shortcut to that website on the desktop. I closed explorer, kept my inter-net connection, clicked on the new shortcut Icon. The same thing happened, I get the File Download caution box, giving me the option to Open, Save, Cancel, or More Info. It doesn't make any difference which of the options I choose, it will not take me to that web page.

 

OK. A few more files to re-register:

Go to Start|Run and enter
"regsvr32 Shdocvw.dll" (without the quotes). After you get a Success
message, re-boot.


If this does not resolve the problem, repeat for each of the following files
Actxprxy.dll
Oleaut32.dll
Mshtml.dll
Browseui.dll
Shell32.dll


Let's see if that helps before we may have to do some registry diving.

 

Well I did as you said. Strange, after the last reboot, when I clicked on my ISP desktop icon, it connected to the internet, opened my IE, and went to my home page as it should have. So I closed the IE and disconnected my internet connection. I then clicked on shortcut icon I had put on to this web site and thread. It went right back to the same old thing.

I then shut down completely and then rebooted. I clicked on my desktop icon to this thread and it did the same old thing.

Let me point out some thing I noticed:

I have a shortcut link on my desk top to a URL at http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/default.asp
When I click on the icon and go to the properties it says "Security at home.URL"

I didn't think this looked right. I Seem to remember in the past it would show the actual URL. Is that right?

 

Well certainly a shortcut in Win98SE (which is what I have) shows the actual URL such as http://www.majorgeeks.com/

Did you try re-registering the files and then create a brand new shortcut and see if that worked?

And have you run Ad-Aware, Spybot - that sort of thing?

 

Yes, I did re-register all of those files before I created another shortcut to the desktop.

Just finished updating and running Spybot S & D, Ad-Aware, Spyware Blaster, and did an anti-virus scan with my AntiVirus program. Everything came up clean. the only thing that happened was that when running Spybot S&D it caused an error in my firewall program and it shut down.

I did a registry scan with CCleaner and EasyClean there were a lot of items, but I was afraid to wholesale delete them. Haven't done a HiJackThis scan yet, don't know if that would do any good. Any other Ideas?

By the way, thanks a lot for your help, this 70 year old senior citz. sure appreciates it.

 

My father is the same age and wouldn't have a clue how to turn a PC on so I think you're doing just fine.

OK. Now I'm assuming you know how to get into the registry so check these values are present and correct.....

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{00020400-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}
Name: (Default)
Value: IDispatch
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{00020400-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\ProxyStubClsid
Name: (Default)
Value: {00020420-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Interface\{00020400-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\ProxyStubClsid32
Name: (Default)
Value: {00020420-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

Report back.......

 

All of those checked out ok. If I could figure out how to put on an attachment to this, I would send along a copy of Belarc Advisor Current Profile. Instead I wil just insert here the best that I can. I don't know if any of my problems are a result of this Network stuff or not. For a while a few weeks ago I had problems with my modem, and when I first got this computer which was a gift, there was no anti spyware or adware programs on this. Before I could get them downloaded and installed I kept getting popups galore. Also, the Windows 2000 program itself had not been updated for some time, so I had to download about 12-15 updates. Maybe this history will help with the diagnosis of my problem. Oh yes, I just remembered, this problem seemed to happen about the time I download and installed the AOL and Plaxco programs, and the Google tool bar.

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

The license associated with the Belarc Advisor product allows for free personal use only. Use on multiple PCs in a corporate, educational, military or government installation is prohibited. See the license agreement for details. The information on this page was created locally on your PC by the Belarc Advisor. Your computer profile was not sent to a web server. Click here for more info.

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


About Belarc

PC Management Products

Your Privacy



Computer Profile Summary
Computer Name:
Profile Date: Friday, January 06, 2006 23:44:02
Advisor Version: 5.0m
Windows Logon: Administrator


Click here for Belarc's PC Management products, for large and small companies.

Operating System System Model
Windows 2000 Professional, Service Pack 4 Dell Computer Corporation OptiPlex GX1 450M+
System Service Tag: B75F9
Chassis Serial Number: B75F9
Processor a Main Circuit Board
450 megahertz Intel Pentium III
32 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Dell Computer Corporation A07 08/04/99
Drives Memory Modules
40.02 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
36.86 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

LG CD-ROM CRD-8400B
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

WDC WD400BB-00GFA0 (40.02 GB) [Hard drive] -- drive 0 256 Megabytes Installed Memory
128 Megabyte Module Size - 2 Installed
One Memory Socket is Empty
Local Drive Volumes

c: (on drive 0) 40.02 GB 36.86 GB free

Network Drives


Controllers Printers
Standard floppy disk controller
Intel(r) 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] CAPTURE FAX BVRP on NUL:
HP DeskJet 720C on LPT1:
Windows NT Fax Driver on MSFAX:

Display
ATI Technologies Inc. 3D RAGE PRO AGP 2X [Display adapter]
Bus Adapters Multimedia
None detected Crystal WDM Audio Codec
Crystal WDM Audio Control Registers
Crystal WDM MPU-401 Compatible
Communications Other Devices
U.S. Robotics 56K FAX EXT PnP [Modem]
3Com 3C918 Integrated Fast Ethernet Controller (3C905B-TX Compatible) PC/AT Enhanced PS/2 Keyboard (101/102-Key)
Logitech PS/2 Port Mouse
Microsoft PS/2 Mouse
Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
USB Root Hub
Software Licenses

Accenture/Bellsouth - BellSouth Dial Internet Service Setup 380f8ab8-1ec8-11b2-99f1-b84ca75005d8
Microsoft - Internet Explorer 55736-550-1733752-04745
Microsoft - MediaPlayer 69808-405-1296953-04896
Microsoft - Windows 2000 Professional 51873-OEM-0005646-58376

Software Versions
Run Animated Keno *
Adobe Acrobat Version 7.0.5.2005092300*
Adobe Photoshop Album Starter Edition Version 2.0.1.0*
Adobe Reader Version 7.0.5.2005092300*
Adobe Systems AdobeDownloadManager Version 2.0*
America Online Inc. - AOL On Desktop Version 1, 0, 0, 73*
America Online, Inc. - AOL Service Libraries Version 1.4.9.1*
America Online, Inc. - AOL Uninstaller Version 1.0.0.1*
BACCARAT *
Belarc Advisor and BelLive - Belarc's Content Personalization with Privacy Version 5.0m*
BigFix Inc. - BFast Version 1, 7, 6, 0*
BigFix Version 1, 7, 6, 0*
BLACKJACK *
blspcloader *
BVRP Software - PhoneTools Version 1.0*
BVRP Software - PhoneTools Version 2.00*
CCleaner Version 1.26.0218*
Cinematronics - 3D Pinball Version 5.00.2134.1*
Cryptologic Inc. - Upgrade Assistant Version 0, 1, 0, 1*
Cyberprog New Media - CyberTweak Version 1.03*
Eastman Software, Inc., A Kodak Business - Imaging for Windows® Version 5.00.2138.1*
Inno Setup *
Instant Update Reminder *
Intuit - Quicken 2003 for Windows Version 010.000.000.000*
Intuit - Quicken 99 for Windows Version 008.000.000.000*
Intuit, Inc. - TurboTax Deluxe 2003 TY03_wPer_R07-v21*
Intuit, Inc. - UNINST Version 1.0.0.2*
jv16 PowerTools Version 1.0.0.0*
KENO *
Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE SE 106*
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer Version 2.0*
Microsoft Corporation - Internet Explorer Version 6.00.2800.1106*
Microsoft Corporation - Windows® NetMeeting® Version 3.01*
Microsoft Windows Media Player Version 6.4.09.1125*
Microsoft(R) Windows Media Player Version 9.00.00.2980* Modem Doctor for Windows Version 1.0S Shareware Version*
Pharos Gaming, Inc. - Kenolyzer Version 1.02.0002*
Plaxo Integration for Outlook Express Version 2.5.10.17*
Plaxo Link Handler Version 2.5.10.17*
Propel Accelerator Propel Accelerator 4.2*
Propel Software Corporation - BellSouth Accelerator Technology: Version 4.2.2.22*
ROLLEM *
Safer Networking Limited - FileAlyzer Version 1, 2, 0, 0*
Safer Networking Limited - Folder list and analysis tool Version 1.0.0.0*
Safer Networking Limited - RegAlyzer Version 1, 4, 0, 0*
Safer Networking Limited - Spybot - Search & Destroy Version 1, 4, 0, 3*
Safer Networking Limited - SpyBot-S&D Version 1, 4, 0, 3*
Shortcut to SSSHEET.EXE *
SLOTS *
Soeperman Enterprises Ltd. - HijackThis Version 1.99.0001*
SpywareBlaster AutoUpdate Version 3.05.0001*
SpywareBlaster Version 3.05.0001*
Sun Microsystems, Inc. - Java(TM) 2 Platform Standard Edition 5.0 Update 6 Version 5.0.60.5*
Sygate® Security Agent and Personal Firewall Version 5.6.00.2808*
Symantec AntiVirus Version 8.00.00.9374*
Symantec Corporation - Norton AntiVirus Version 8.00.00.9374*
Symantec Corporation - Norton CleanSweep Fast & Safe Cleanup Version 5.00*
Symantec Corporation - Norton CleanSweep Version 5.00*
Symantec Corporation - Norton Safe Version 5.00*
ToniArts - EasyCleaner Version 2.0.6*
ToniArts - EasyHtml Version 2.2.5*
U.S. Robotics - ControlCenter Version 4.00.021*
U.S. Robotics - U.S. Robotics Internet Call Notification Version 3, 0, 1, 8*
VIDEO POKER *
Viewer.exe*
Visual IP InSight Version 5.8.0.13*
WagerLogic Inc - Casino Version 4, 5, 0, 0*
WinZip Version 9.0 SR-1 (6224)*
Zero G - LaunchAnywhere Version 4.5.2.0*

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

* Click to see where software is installed.
a. Megahertz measurement may be inaccurate if other programs were busy during last analysis.
Copyright 2000-1, Belarc, Inc. All rights reserved.
Legal notice. U.S. Patent 5665951 and Patents pending.

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

 

OK> You say that these problems seemed to start after you downloaded Google toolbar , Plaxco (on-line banking) , and AOL

I would therefore attempt to resolve the problem by uninstalling them, one at a time starting with AOL (Always Off Line ).

 

Sorry to be so long in responding. Had major keyboard problem, plus just busy.

I reviewed our past contacts and checked on the above answer you had previously given. I did notice one thing that is now there, maybe it was there before and I just missed it, I don't know. Anyway, in the section "Application used to perform this action" now reads, "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" -nohome %1. You said it should be; "C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\iexplore.exe" -nohome. Does the %1 make a difference?

If this doesn't work I will then uninstall AOL as you suggested. Thanks for your help.

 

Well the %1 is to do with DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange whicl allows programs to share data.

In my earlier post I had said

C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\iexplore.exe" -nohome
(Check the path to iexplore.exe to make sure that is correct and use the
double quotes.)

DDE should be checked and in the boxes below it you should have:

#1:
"%1",,-1,0,,,, etc

Assuming you have that then there is no need AKAIK to have it after the -nohome.

Try deleting the %1 after -nohome I can't see it making any difference though. You can always put it back if things get worse (not that I would expect it to).

 

@ yargwel..as I am totally clueless with win 2000 and you have PM's disabled I couldn't ask you privately. but my curiosity is peaked.

Does win 2000 have the ability to repair IE like earlier versions? Is something like Tweak UI power toys available for win 2000 which can rebuild/repair shortcuts/associations? Would something like x-teq be beneficial with the multitude of functions available?

 

Sorry Abby I thought I had PMs enabled - I have now.

As for Win2000 - yes it does have the ability to repair IE and that of course would be a fine thing to try. (Now why didn't I think of that )

TweakUI is avail able for Win2000 from here

http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstation/downloads/powertoys/networking/nttweakui.asp

And yes X-teq would be good too (as long as the user is careful).

Now if I was clever like you I would have thought of all of these already but as I'm not I didn't (Hangs head in shame)

 

Oh please..don't hang your head in shame! LOL Some times the simplest things that might work just don't come to mind (been there done that) but the things that I mentioned were the first things that popped into my head..just didn't know if they applied to win2000. So, I've just been following this thread to see if it would come up and hadn't so just had to ask. Thanks so much for educating me!

So maybe the next step should be giving hutchfred the steps he needs to follow in order to try a repair on IE and if that doesn't resolve the issue move on to using Tweak UI?

 

I obey!!

@ Hutchfred
Go to the Control Panel> Add Remove Programs>select Microsoft Internet Explorer 6>Add/Remove>Repair Internet Explorer

And if that works I really will hang my head in shame for not thinking of it earlier.

 

OMG! LMAO NO! You see!? I'm the one hanging my head in shame now..I couldn't remember the exact steps as it's been so long since I've done it so I posed the question to you so you could answer "if" you felt that was the way to go.

 

Ok Yargwel I tried removing the %1, nothing happened yet. I have not rebooted yet.

I knew Win 95 had the IE repair program in the ADD/REMOVE program on the control panel, but I was afraid to mess with it and even look. I will try that next.

Thanks to AbbySue for you help. I love the way you and Yargwel share ideas you both are great to help this old man. I'll let you know how things work after I try the IE repair. I also down loaded the Tweak UI 1.33. I will try that also. That may solve some other minor problems I'm having. Don't want to talk about them here. If I need I'll start another thread.

Thanks again.

 

OK gang, here's a bulletin for you. Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 is not on the list of programs listed in the ADD/REMOVE programs. I checked my Spybot S&D and HiJackThis and it is not listed in their list of Uninstall programs.

What do I do now??

 

After you go into Add Remove programs click on Add Remove Windows components..you will find it there.

 

Tried that. On the Windows Component Wizard it does show the IE icon but it shows 0.0 MB. When I clicked on the wizard to install, it went through the motions but it didn't add anything. Any Ideas?

 

I also notice that OUTLOOK EXPRESS is not in the ADD/REMOVE listings and in the Add Remove Windows components window OUTLOOK EXPRESS also shows 0.00 MB. Anyone have any ideas how I can restore this as well?

 

Try what is suggested here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=318378

 

I've reinstalled IE 6, as described above. I still have the same problem. Only one exception. Now Outlook Express shows up in the ADD/REMOVE list.

I've installed the Tweak UI program and went through it. Could not find anything that was revelant to my problem.

I wonder if I ran either the Fixie.inf or the ieexcep.inf files in the Internet Explorer files if that would put IE 6 back into the ADD/REMOVE program? Or would it do the same thing as the repair function?

 

In TweakUI there is a repair tab.. Go to that then click on the drop down list - the second in the list should be repair associations - have you tried that?

I've gotta say that this is turning into a bit of a "interesting problem" that is one that annoys me when I can't fix it fairly quickly

But I'll stick with it with you until it's beaten.

 

Thanks Yargwel, interesting isn't the half of it.

Went to the Tweak, repair tab you mentioned, these are the choices it gave me;

Rebuild Icons
Repair Font Folders
Repair hot keys
Repair Regedit
Repair Temporary Internet Files

The one you mentioned is not there.

I'm wondering if this isn't more of a security problem having to do with the network configurations. On my old cpu with WIN 95 I didn't have to deal with being the Administrator. I may have messed something up in that.

Every time I try to use one of the shortcuts on my desktop to a URL, I always get this message popup about the File Download caution box, giving me the option to Open, Save, Cancel, or More Info. It doesn't make any difference which of the options I choose, it will not take me to that web page.

 

Hmm I have two other options: Repair Associations and repair System files.

I'm going to check Xteq and see if there is anything in there that may help.

 

Ok nothing that I can see in Xteq that will be of any use.

But can you do me a favour? In an earlier post I said to check that DDE was ticked. Well I want you to untick it and then go to Start > Run and type
regsvr32 urlmon.dll

 

OK, I did as you asked. I rebooted after doing the above and there doesn't seem to be any change.

Just for a little clarification, I also created another desktop shortcut for this web page. Quit IE and disconnected the dialup connection. Then before connecting to the internet again, I double-clicked on the shortcut. It made the connection to the internet, then the box came up as described before. By the way, it is the same box that comes up when you down load a program or file from the internet. No matter which of the options I choose; Open, Save, Cancel, or More Info. It doesn't make any difference, it will not take me to that web page. It won't even open the IE.

Should, I go back and tick the DDE like it was?

 

Yes. Then

Open Windows Explorer.
Go to Tools | Folder Options | File Types.
Scroll down to Internet Shortcut and select it.
Click Edit or Advanced, depending on your Windows version.
Select 'open'.
Click Edit.

"Application used to perform this action" should read:

rundll32.exe shdocvw.dll,OpenURL %l

with the use DDE option unticked.

 

That didn't do anything either. However it got me to thinking. When I right clicked on the desktop shortcut icon and choose PROPERTIES, as I mentioned, it showed a description of the website and then added ,url.
So in the Folder Options | File Types, I scrolled on down to where the Extension was url | Internet Shortcut. I reset that to the default, which then showed the "Application used to perform this action" read:
rundll32.exe shdocvw.dll,OpenURL %l. Then ok'd everything, went to my desktop, right clicked on the shortcut icon, choose Properties and lo and behold everything was corrected. Double clicked and went right to the web site I had chosen.

I do believe we got this problem licked.

Thank you all for your help and kind consideration. I there is anymore concerning this problem later on I will come back to or refer to this thread.

 

Excellent!! Took a bit of doing but we got there in the end.