[Ham-Computers] RE: changing file extensions

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Jimmie,

If I remember correctly, the old Compuserve software, "CIS", installed
an image viewing program and updated the Windows file associations so
that various graphics file formats used this program.  This may or may
not be the case in your situation, but it sounds like the fundamental
problem is that .TIF (or .TIFF) files are associated with the Compuserve
software.

What you need to do is to re-associate the .TIF(F) files to whatever
program you want to use to open the .TIF(F)'s.  There are a few ways to
do this of which the easiest way is to re-install the program you want
to use - it should re-associate supported formats to itself (or give you
the option to).  If you can't re-install the app for some reason, the
the next easiest way is to manually re-associate the files.  Do the
following:

Open a Windows explorer window - not Internet Explorer, but a Windows
explorer (e.g. open "My Computer".  Click on "View" --> "Folder Options"
--> "File Types".  Here you'll find a list of all the applications that
have file extensions "associated" with them.  Unfortunately, in Win9x,
it doesn't sort by (or show) the extensions...just the apps, but it does
show the associated extensions if you highlight the app name.  Scroll
through the list to find the association to .TIF and .TIFF files -
they're most likely currently associated with some Compuserve app.  When
found, "Remove" the association(s).  When done, click OK to exit the
"File Types" options panel.  At this point, the .TIF(F) files should no
longer have a Compuserve icon (although sometimes the icons remain the
same until after a reboot).  If you double-click on the file, Windows
should prompt you with an "Open with" dialogue box as it no longer knows
how to handle the file.  Select the appropriate app you want to
associate .TIF(F) files with and click OK.  Also tick the "Always use
this program..." checkbox to permanently associate the file with the
app.  Repeat with other file extensions if you also deleted other
associations.

NOTE:
Associating files this way (selecting from the "Open with" dialogue box)
is not the most efficient way to associate files as it only creates a
"simple" association.  There are many options available with associating
file types with Windows (including how to handle DDE, setting MIME type,
handling "Print to" an other context menus, etc.).  These options are
not set when you manually associate a file unless you know how to
configure the "Edit" section of the "File Types" control panel.  This is
why it's best to associate file types by re-installing the application -
the apps usually configure all the options to best work with the
application.

BTW, a possible reason why it's attempting to contact CServe is that
.TIF(F) is currently associated with Internet Explorer.  As CServe was
your ISP, your system is probably still set to automatically dial CServe
when you try to access a network resource and there is currently no
network available.  Make sure you've un-installed all the CServe
software if you're no longer going to use it.  Also, remove any dial-up
options to CServe since you no longer need them.  In the Internet
Options control panel, make sure the "Connections" tab is configured to
either not dial a connection or to dial your current ISP.


73 & GL,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O (ex-KD6DAE)
    {nn6o}@arrl.net
    {aaron.hsu}@nbcuni.com
    No-QRO Int'l #1,000,006
    . -..- - .-. .-   ".... . .- ...- -.--"
 

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 1:10 PM
Subject: [Ham-Computers] changing file extensions


Gentlemen:
I have a problem that has cropped up in the Compaq Presario desk top
that I have been using for Genealogy Research. The original IP that I
was using was Comp-u-serve, after becoming disgusted with their service,
(being cut off line in the middle of downloads) I changed my IP.  I
recently changed monitors from a CRT to a 19 inch flat screen. I have
also changed the scanner from a visioneer to a HP1600 all in one,
copier, printer and scanner. I had about 10 files that had been scanned
with the visioneer scanner with a "tiff" extension on them. when going
back to open them, the "Icons" have changed to the CompuServe "Icon",
and when trying to open the files they all try to connect me to C/S.

 *** mid-section snip ***

Where should I look and what should I do to cure this?

Can these extensions be changed back so I can access the information?
and How do I do this?

Worst case is that I loose these files and have to delete them?


Jimmie W.  Powell