WinXP - Cannot create a file association

Muse · 02-16-2013, 02:09 PM

This is the weirdest. Never had this problem before. I've used the application for years, installed it today in my new WinXP install. This is a utility that came with my Samsung V3 Digimax digicam called Digimax Viewer. The executable is:

<drive>\Program Files\Samsung Digimax Viewer 2.0\STImgBrowser.exe

The program is installed, the installation placed a shortcut on my desktop, it opens from there OK. I want it to be my default program for opening JPG files. I right click a JPG file and go Open With, check the box that says "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file." I navigate to the executable, and go Open, but it doesn't open the executable, doesn't change the file association.

The STImgBrowser.exe application has a companion program which is opened by clicking a button. That program has editing characteristics, e.g. cropping, enhancing brightness/contrast, red eye, etc. That program is available for association, but the viewing program, STImgBrowser.exe is not. I have uninstalled both the programs and reinstalled several times in accordance with the instructions presented by the installation program, including reboots. I don't know what to try next. The workaround is to open the image viewing program and navigate to a file via the File menu, but I'd like to just be able to double click a JPG and have it opened by the program, like it used to do. Please make a suggestion, thank you.

postmortemIA · 02-16-2013, 02:41 PM

that program must have interface by accepting argument of <name of file>:
executable <name of file>
and that program simply does not.

Iron Woode · 02-16-2013, 08:27 PM

did you try using the file association function under Folder Options?

start button -> control panel -> Folder Options -> click File Types tab

try the file associations there.

Muse · 02-16-2013, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Woode

did you try using the file association function under Folder Options?

start button -> control panel -> Folder Options -> click File Types tab

try the file associations there.

Yes, that doesn't work either. Right now the associated file is the sister utility the image editing program and I want to use the image viewing program as the default launching application. No matter how I try I can't change it. I think it may be a fouled up registry setting. The reason I'm thinking this is this:

I'm going to search for the name of the image editing program and see if I can tweak a registry setting. Thing is, an uninstall/reinstall is not fixing the program. I never had this problem before, I've done the installation quite a few times.

If I change the default program to Windows Picture and Fax Viewer, it changes. If I then go to change it to the STIimagebrowser.exe application it changes the default program to the editing program, "Photosuite III Executable". IOW, I point it to one program but it chooses the sister program instead. I have to think it's a registry setting that went bad. It may be because I didn't install initially from the CD but from a copy of the CD I have on a HD. I guess the installation process it was supposed to go through went awry. I'll search the registry for "Photosuite"

Muse · 02-16-2013, 09:30 PM

If I do an Open With and choose the STIimagebrowser.exe application instead of it opening I'm returned to the Open With dialog offering 1/2 dozen programs or Browse. It's bewildering. I saw nothing in the registry when I searched on "Photosuite"... probably over 200 hits, but nothing that seemed out of line.

Muse · 02-16-2013, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postmortemIA

that program must have interface by accepting argument of <name of file>:
executable <name of file>
and that program simply does not.

No, it used to be my default JPG launch program. In fact when the install goes correctly it becomes the default program.

Iron Woode · 02-16-2013, 10:00 PM

is another program taking over that file association?

perhaps its a permissions issue?

postmortemIA · 02-17-2013, 01:28 PM

why not remove file type from folder options, and start over?

Muse · 02-17-2013, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postmortemIA

why not remove file type from folder options, and start over?

How do you mean? Every file extension is in the folder options. I tried changing it between different applications for .jpg, it works fine except for the one application I want to use.

Can I remove the .jpg extension and then add it back?

postmortemIA · 02-17-2013, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muse

How do you mean? Every file extension is in the folder options. I tried changing it between different applications for .jpg, it works fine except for the one application I want to use.

Can I remove the .jpg extension and then add it back?

Yes, that is what is "remove" button for.