[kdzAmerigirl]

Help, please!!! My computer will not open any programs--not even Solitaire! It's an old Dell laptop (Windows XP). Every time I try to open something, it either wants me to "Choose the program you want to use to open this file" or it says, "C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe Application not found." I tried going into Safe Mode to fix whatever problem I have, but I don't even know where to begin! Thanks for any help you may be able to offer.

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Try this,

Go here to Doug KNox's Windows® XP File Association Fixes

Run 9th down on left... EXE File Association Fix ... the EXE not EML one.

zep516

[zep516]

Try this,

Go here to Doug KNox's Windows® XP File Association Fixes

Run 9th down on left... EXE File Association Fix ... the EXE not EML one.

zep516

[kdzAmerigirl]

Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately, I can't open Firefox or Internet Explorer. So since I can't access the internet, I can't download anything. Any other ideas?

Try this,

Go here to Doug KNox's Windows® XP File Association Fixes

Run 9th down on left... EXE File Association Fix ... the EXE not EML one.

zep516

[zep516]

You might try booting the computer to The Advanced Options Menu, then instead of choosing Safe Mode, select Safe Mode W/ Networking see if you can connect. Only go to the link I gave you. Because in Safe mode W/Networking your Anti Virus Program will not be running so don't surf around the Internet please.


Your other option is to get to a good computer and download that file fix from the link I provided above and install it on a Flash drive, thumb drive, then insert the flash drive into the bad computer and double click the file on the flash drive.


If none of the above works you might try a simple System Restore to do this boot to the advanced options menu again and select "Last Known good configuration" or still Safe Mode click, start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore. This may restore the computer to a time when things were working.

Let us know if your successful.

zep516

[kdzAmerigirl]

Thanks again for the suggestions. None of it is working. When I tried to do the "System Restore," it gave me the "Choose the program you want to use to open this file" bit, as it does with everything I try to open! (And it does this in Safe Mode w/ Networking too.

You might try booting the computer to The Advanced Options Menu, then instead of choosing Safe Mode, select Safe Mode W/ Networking see if you can connect. Only go to the link I gave you. Because in Safe mode W/Networking your Anti Virus Program will not be running so don't surf around the Internet please.


Your other option is to get to a good computer and download that file fix from the link I provided above and install it on a Flash drive, thumb drive, then insert the flash drive into the bad computer and double click the file on the flash drive.


If none of the above works you might try a simple System Restore to do this boot to the advanced options menu again and select "Last Known good configuration" or still Safe Mode click, start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore. This may restore the computer to a time when things were working.

Let us know if your successful.

zep516

[Leurgy]

Using the computer you are posting here with download the XP Association Fix and put it on a cd or a flash/usb drive and take it to the problem pc. Copy it to the desktop and run it.

Thank you for the reply. Unfortunately, I can't open Firefox or Internet Explorer. So since I can't access the internet, I can't download anything. Any other ideas?

Try this,

Go here to Doug KNox's Windows® XP File Association Fixes

Run 9th down on left... EXE File Association Fix ... the EXE not EML one.

zep516

[kdzAmerigirl]

Ok, so the downloaded file did work! Yay! Thanks so much, zep and friends!

Now, the only problem is, I can't connect to my home internet network. For some reason, the computer can't even find it! I've tried messing with the wi-fi button, but I can't tell if it's on or not because nothing comes up when I click it. :-/ What now? As before, I am very grateful for any help.

[zep516]

Hi kdAmerigirl,

Here are some basic instructions for troubleshooting that particular issue,

http://www.microsoft...ain/repair.mspx

Let us know how you get on.

[kdzAmerigirl]

I tried that, but I had no luck. It tells me that it can't repair the wireless network connection because it couldn't "connect to the wireless network." Well, duh...that's the problem I'm trying to fix--darN computer...!

Thanks for the constant help. Any other suggestions?

[zep516]

Hi,


Click Start, look for the run box in the Start menu click it.


Copy & Paste this into the run box---> devmgmt.msc <---- Click ok. Once in the device manager look for Network Adapters. To the left of the Network Adapters click the + sign to expand the list, you should see your wireless adapter listed. You can also right click on the Network adapter for other options.

What is the name of the Wireless Network Adapter? If listed.

Are there any yellow exclamation marks indicating an error or problem?

Has this computer ever connected via wireless ?

Will it connect by direct connection to the router or modem using a cable?

[kdzAmerigirl]

Network Adaptors:
-1394 Net Adaptor
-Broadcom 440x
-Dell Wireless WLAN

There are no yellow exclamation marks or anything.

Yes, it has connected before--but never to this network because I recently got a new AT&T system set up for internet.

I have not tried to manually connect it because I'm afraid of messing something up. :-P

Hi,


Click Start, look for the run box in the Start menu click it.


Copy & Paste this into the run box---> devmgmt.msc <---- Click ok. Once in the device manager look for Network Adapters. To the left of the Network Adapters click the + sign to expand the list, you should see your wireless adapter listed. You can also right click on the Network adapter for other options.

What is the name of the Wireless Network Adapter? If listed.

Are there any yellow exclamation marks indicating an error or problem?

Has this computer ever connected via wireless ?

Will it connect by direct connection to the router or modem using a cable?

[zep516]

I recently got a new AT&T system set up for internet.

What does the set up include? Router, Modem. Are other computers working on the set up from at&t?

Name of router if present. If there is a router and modem sometimes turning the modem off for 3 min then turn it on wait for lights to come on, then power up router. Try to connect to http//www.google.com

We also have a good network forum here May consider posting there if we can't get this in a few more posts.

Edited by zep516, 09 August 2010 - 01:46 PM.

[kdzAmerigirl]

The new set up includes a new router. There are 3 working computers using that. It's just this older one that's not picking up the signal for some reason. I'll try posting on the forum you suggested to see if anyone knows. Thanks for all your help!

[zep516]

Ok,

Let them know the name of the router, make and model of computer and operating system. Let them know other computers are working on the network..

Sorry I was unable to finish.

[kdzAmerigirl]

That's ok. Thanks a lot for all you were able to help me with!