File extensions will not hide

[8thNote]

My computer refuses to hide file extensions. I'm running WinXP on two computers, and both will not hide the file extensions after a restart. I know about the "Hide extensions for known file typs" option, but it doesn't stick after a restart. This problem got so annoying that I restored my brand-new Toshiba Notebook to its original state, and started installing my software again. At a certain point, the extensions refused to hide. Below is my log of installation right from a fresh re-format/restore. I restarted my computer after every program install. I never installed WinXP SP1 or updated XP. It did, however, already come with some update pre-installed.

Uninstalled the pre-installed AOL
nVidia XP Drivers v. 40.72
Hash Animation:Master 2002 9.51e
AOL Instant Messenger 5.1
Uninstalled pre-installed Lotus SmartSuite
Uninstalled pre-installed Quicken
J.River Media Jukebox 8
QuickTime 6
Extensis Suitcase 9.03
Battlefield 1942 1.1 Update
Adobe InDesign 2 + 2.01 Up
DivX 5.02 Bundle Codecs and player
Canon BJC-6000 Printer Drivers?After this is where the extensions started appearing.

I uninstalled the printer drivers but that didn't fix the problem. The problem was resolved when I did a System Restore to just before installing the printer drivers. Assuming it must be the printer drivers (eventhough another desktop computer has the same drivers with no problem), I installed MS Office XP Pro. The problem appeared again. As before, a system restore just before the installation resolved the problem.

Thinking maybe the problem was with DivX 5.02 and that it may just be X number of restarts after installing, I restarted my computer one time after the successful Sys. Restore, and the problem returned. Just to be sure the problem was for real, I re-checked the option to hide extensions and restarted. Sure enough, the extensions were right there glaring back at me.

I then attempted to uninstall DivX and restart my computer again (of course after re-telling it to hide the extesions), but that didn't work. Unfortunately, a Restore point was not created before DivX was installed, so I restored to the point just after it. As expected, the extensions did not show. One more restart, and the extensions appeared again.

At this point the latest restore I can do is before the BF1942 1.1 patch. This could not be completed upon attempt so I uninstalled all software back to that point (ID 2.01 & BF1942) and restore to that point, but this was still unsuccessful.

Now, to whatever successful system restore that I choose, the extensions are hidden until the next time I restart. Please help!

As you can see, I've pretty-much exhausted my ideas. Below are my system specs

Notebook:
Toshiba 1955-s801
Desktop P4 2.2 GHz
512 MB RAM
Windows XP Home

FYI: Desktop also with the problem:
Assembled
AMD 1.4 GHz
512 MB RAM
WinXP Home SR1 and updated as of one week ago

FYI: Desktop without the probelm:
Assembled
Celeron 466 MMX
256 MB RAM
WinXP Home update unknown, NOT SP1

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[8thNote]

I discovered the problem! After several reformats, re-installations, and headaches, I discovered the problem to be caused by Extensis Suitcase 9. When I installed Suitcase 9, I had to restart my computer. One more restart, and the extensions were showing. Simply uninstall Suitcase and WinXP would remember my choice to hide extensions.

I confirmed this by re-installing and uninstalling Suitcase several times, and everytime I had the same result.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Strange, I always thought microsoft finally got something right. But I always show all file types hidden and or otherwise anyway, and just lock down user privilages to those that don't need to be messing with that stuff anyway.