For whatever reason my xp running laptop has lost various file type associations. The biggest pain is the URL type when starting up programs, or clicking on a link in outlook express. I get the message to go to control panel, open up folder types and associate the file. I got the mailto function to work.

Here's a couple and what it shows

Extensions

(NONE) URL: Hyper text transfer protocol

So I click on that and it shows there are no programs that currently open this type of file. I then click on new type in html in the extension box, click on the file associtation type box and search for HTML. After selecting this, I get a message that this file type is already associated with Hyper terminal file and do I want to disassociate this file type.

Another example is I have an vpn program that starts via an http address from local host http://127.0.0.1 and I get the same message that "this file does not have an associated program for it" and I can't open the program.

Any suggestions besides a reinstall?

Try this -

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

Thanks for that, but after installing the registry fix I'm still getting no love from my computer and the file type for this:

(NONE) URL: Hyper text transfer protocol

remains the same.

Reset web settings in IE.

Control Panel > Internet Options

IE6:

- Click the Programs tab

- At the bottom, click "Reset web settings"

IE7/8:

- Click the Advanced tab

- At the bottom, click "Reset..."