General Discussions

My sister's laptop is having some problems. I'll try and describe them the best I can.

All of her programs had Internet Explorer icons. iTunes, Microsoft Office, Norton, everything had Internet Explorer icons and we aren't sure why. And whenever we opened a program, it would open Internet Explorer, even if it was supposed to be something else, like iTunes (for example). The icons had changed to Internet Explorer icons, but their names are still the same. No matter what program we open, it opens Internet Explorer.

I tried to fix things but now they're all iTunes. So exact same problem, only replace 'Internet Explorer' with 'iTunes'.

I'm the type of person who just clicks on things that looks like it'll help and it hasn't helped and I have been trying for more than half an hour so I'm asking you guys since I know that there are a lot of people here who have a much better understanding of computers and things.

The laptop is a Toshiba, Windows 7, with an Intel Core i5.

Any ideas what might be wrong with it? And more importantly, any ideas on how to sort it out?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

try and run a virus scan might be a anoying that are doing it.

I think i once had a similiar problem and it might be Windows files that are messed up and if you want it gone reformat the laptop...

I tried but like I said, all the programs are opening up as iTunes :/

Sounds like the associations are all mucked up

Download this

www.sevenforums.com/attachments/tutorials/185980d1322578124-default-file-type-associations-restore-all_default_file_extentions.zip

And extract the file, right click the extracted file and click on Merge from the drop down menu. Restart Laptop and it should have reset file associations to default.

Which file? There's about 86 :s

Scratch that, DABhand you legend, IT WORKS

My sister is so happy right now. She would also like to say thank you for your help

[Edited by Degari, 12/4/2011 4:23:19 AM]

Dont be all happy yet, make sure you do a virus scan because that kind of issue isnt normal.

be sure to give Malwarebytes a shot as well as it picks up what AVs dont.

Ah, right. Thanks for the warning. I'll do a virus scan ASAP

Im glad someone knew how to fix that problem. I have never heard of a computer doing that by itself. I have seen it done as a prank, but not as a virus or anything. But definitely do a virus scan and Malware scan. Those things are nasty little things that need to be taken care of before they get to bad.