Shortcut (LNK) files inoperative
One of my PC's just got a weird problem. ALL of the shortcuts (*.LNK files) are suddenly inoperative. It doesn't matter where the file is (Desktop, Start Menu, QuickLaunch bar, or just a folder). The files themselves are now showing their .LNK extensions as well.
I'm sure that reinstalling Windows 95 would fix this, but I'm hopeing for a little less drastic fix. I've tried deleting and copying EXPLORER.EXE in the C:\WINDOWS directory, hoping that was all that was corrupt, but unfortunately, that didn't fix it. Neither did upgrading to Internet Explorer 5.0 (hey, it was worth a shot, and I needed to anyway!)
Other than that one little glitch, everything seems to be working fine. All the programs I've tried by navigating in Explorer and double-clicking the executable seem to work fine. Everything that autolaunches via Registry entries still launches (those in the StartUp menu don't, of course, because they're just shortcuts).
I'm guessing it's either a corrupt DLL or other support file, or maybe a bad Registry entry. Either way, I'd sure appreciate some assistance in getting this box back to work!
Thanks in advance.
- AzDayton
I'm sure that reinstalling Windows 95 would fix this, but I'm hopeing for a little less drastic fix. I've tried deleting and copying EXPLORER.EXE in the C:\WINDOWS directory, hoping that was all that was corrupt, but unfortunately, that didn't fix it. Neither did upgrading to Internet Explorer 5.0 (hey, it was worth a shot, and I needed to anyway!)
Other than that one little glitch, everything seems to be working fine. All the programs I've tried by navigating in Explorer and double-clicking the executable seem to work fine. Everything that autolaunches via Registry entries still launches (those in the StartUp menu don't, of course, because they're just shortcuts).
I'm guessing it's either a corrupt DLL or other support file, or maybe a bad Registry entry. Either way, I'd sure appreciate some assistance in getting this box back to work!
Thanks in advance.
- AzDayton
Cause:
The 16-bit File Manager program Winfile.exe does not recognize .lnk as a shortcut extension. File Manager will treat .lnk files the same way that it treats files of unknown type. Any modification of a shortcut file association in File Manager affects all shortcuts.
Solution:
Suggested solution: Shut down the computer, turn it off, and then turn it back on. This action may resolve the problem. If not, please contact a qualified computer technician or next-level support.
CAUTION: Do not modify shortcut file associations in File Manager under any circumstance. Doing so may cause the associated application to freeze or crash. Attempts to re-associate the .lnk extension with the shortcut functionality through File Manager or through the 'File Types' tab in Windows 95 will not work.
1) Click the 'Start' button to display the 'Start' menu.
2) Select 'Shut Down'. (The 'Shut Down Windows' dialog box appears.)
3) Select the 'Shut down the computer' radio button and click 'Yes'.
4) When the 'It is now safe to turn off your computer' message appears, turn off the computer.
5) Wait 30 seconds after the power is turned off and turn the computer back on.
__________________
I would also go into the File Types, and make sure that there is no file associating with .lnk.
let me know.
The 16-bit File Manager program Winfile.exe does not recognize .lnk as a shortcut extension. File Manager will treat .lnk files the same way that it treats files of unknown type. Any modification of a shortcut file association in File Manager affects all shortcuts.
Solution:
Suggested solution: Shut down the computer, turn it off, and then turn it back on. This action may resolve the problem. If not, please contact a qualified computer technician or next-level support.
CAUTION: Do not modify shortcut file associations in File Manager under any circumstance. Doing so may cause the associated application to freeze or crash. Attempts to re-associate the .lnk extension with the shortcut functionality through File Manager or through the 'File Types' tab in Windows 95 will not work.
1) Click the 'Start' button to display the 'Start' menu.
2) Select 'Shut Down'. (The 'Shut Down Windows' dialog box appears.)
3) Select the 'Shut down the computer' radio button and click 'Yes'.
4) When the 'It is now safe to turn off your computer' message appears, turn off the computer.
5) Wait 30 seconds after the power is turned off and turn the computer back on.
__________________
I would also go into the File Types, and make sure that there is no file associating with .lnk.
let me know.
listening
JD
JD
ASKER
LNK files, as I understand it, are indeed link files. They essentially play the same role that PIF files under 3.1 (greatly expanded, of course) or as icons do in Program Manager. All of the original applications are still in the same places they were previously.
I don't use the 16-bit file manager, and didn't change anything on the machine.
I CAN open the LNK file's properties, copy what's in the "Target" box to the clipboard, then use START|RUN and paste it in there to launch the program(s), so I know it's not that the files are bad. It's just that Explorer forgot what to do with them.
I tried making a new LNK, just as an experiment, by dragging an EXE from Explorer to the Desktop, and it created the shortcut all right, but it's just like all the rest of them -- it has the same icon (the blank page with the Windows logo on it), and it doesn't acutally do anything when you double click on it. (As a side note, right clicking to bring up the pop-up menu shows that OPEN is not an option, and many of the others are gone too. Speaking of which, most of the SendTo items are not working also, since they too are shortcuts).
There is nothing associated with LNK files in File Types.
I have rebooted several times, as my initial message shows (you cannot replace Explorer.exe or install IE5.0 without rebooting at least once each). So far nothing has worked.
I've increased the points value for the question to 300, as it seems this is a little more esoteric question than I had guessed.
I don't use the 16-bit file manager, and didn't change anything on the machine.
I CAN open the LNK file's properties, copy what's in the "Target" box to the clipboard, then use START|RUN and paste it in there to launch the program(s), so I know it's not that the files are bad. It's just that Explorer forgot what to do with them.
I tried making a new LNK, just as an experiment, by dragging an EXE from Explorer to the Desktop, and it created the shortcut all right, but it's just like all the rest of them -- it has the same icon (the blank page with the Windows logo on it), and it doesn't acutally do anything when you double click on it. (As a side note, right clicking to bring up the pop-up menu shows that OPEN is not an option, and many of the others are gone too. Speaking of which, most of the SendTo items are not working also, since they too are shortcuts).
There is nothing associated with LNK files in File Types.
I have rebooted several times, as my initial message shows (you cannot replace Explorer.exe or install IE5.0 without rebooting at least once each). So far nothing has worked.
I've increased the points value for the question to 300, as it seems this is a little more esoteric question than I had guessed.
Try Safe mode. See if the links are still bad there.
If you are familiar with your registry, then I suggest running a search on .lnk. Then run a search on Scandisk.
Let me know what happens.
If you are familiar with your registry, then I suggest running a search on .lnk. Then run a search on Scandisk.
Let me know what happens.
Interesting problem. Do you have the following keys in your registry? (Be sure to look under "exefile" and not "exe".)
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Exefile\
Default Value = EditFlags:REG_BINARY:00 00 00 00
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Exefile\
Default Value = <No Name>:REG_SZ:"%1"%*
If not, you need to create them as I believe they would prevent programs from running from icons and start menu, if they are missing.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Exefile\
Default Value = EditFlags:REG_BINARY:00 00 00 00
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Exefile\
Default Value = <No Name>:REG_SZ:"%1"%*
If not, you need to create them as I believe they would prevent programs from running from icons and start menu, if they are missing.
ASKER
The links are exactly the same in safe mode.
The 16-bit Program manager works fine when I tried it.
Tried looking in the Registry for .LNK files, and found an entry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWAR
ShellEx\{Long Serial number looking thing)
Value: (Another long serial number looking thing)
ShellNew\Default
Value: "(value not set)"
ShellNew\Command
Value: "RunDLL32 AppWiz.Cpl,NewLinkHere %2"
I looked for and found the exact entries that Firehawk mentioned.
As mentioned previously, I'm suspecting a corrupt DLL or something that Explorer uses, more than a Registry problem. I've run Norton System Doctor, and it says everything is fine, and I believe it checks for Registry Entries, and would probably find if a requisite file were missing completely, but may not notice if the file is there, but corrupted. Unfortunately, I don't know what all files Explorer uses.
The 16-bit Program manager works fine when I tried it.
Tried looking in the Registry for .LNK files, and found an entry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWAR
ShellEx\{Long Serial number looking thing)
Value: (Another long serial number looking thing)
ShellNew\Default
Value: "(value not set)"
ShellNew\Command
Value: "RunDLL32 AppWiz.Cpl,NewLinkHere %2"
I looked for and found the exact entries that Firehawk mentioned.
As mentioned previously, I'm suspecting a corrupt DLL or something that Explorer uses, more than a Registry problem. I've run Norton System Doctor, and it says everything is fine, and I believe it checks for Registry Entries, and would probably find if a requisite file were missing completely, but may not notice if the file is there, but corrupted. Unfortunately, I don't know what all files Explorer uses.
Ya know, I said search for Scandisk, and I meant Shortcut. Sorry. That was a 5 AM post.
Try extracting SHDOCVW.DLL from Cab38 into the windows system directory.
Good luck.
Good luck.
AzDayton
Desktop and Start Menu shortcuts don't run.
Your exefile entry(s) in the registry have become corrupt. Run REGEDIT and import:
For Windows NT;
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe]
@="exefile"
"Content Type"="application/x-msdow
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
@="Application"
"EditFlags"=hex:d8,07,00,0
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
@="%1"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,00,0
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
@="\"%1\" %*"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
@="{86F19A00-42A0-1069-A2E
---------
Windows 95/98
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk]
@="lnkfile"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\Sh
"Command"="RunDLL32 AppWiz.Cpl,NewLinkHere %2"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\Sh
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\Sh
@="{500202A0-731E-11d0-B82
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="Shortcut"
"EditFlags"=hex:01,00,00,0
"IsShortcut"=""
"NeverShowExt"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{90A756E0-AFCF-11CE-927
Just Cut and paste to text editor, (notepad.exe) and save as a .reg extension name anything you want.
Make sure to save the System.Dat and User.Dat files from your Windows Directory and or the corresponding files from NT before playing the Registry Game.
JD
Desktop and Start Menu shortcuts don't run.
Your exefile entry(s) in the registry have become corrupt. Run REGEDIT and import:
For Windows NT;
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.exe]
@="exefile"
"Content Type"="application/x-msdow
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
@="Application"
"EditFlags"=hex:d8,07,00,0
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
@="%1"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,00,0
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
@="\"%1\" %*"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\exefile
@="{86F19A00-42A0-1069-A2E
---------
Windows 95/98
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk]
@="lnkfile"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\Sh
"Command"="RunDLL32 AppWiz.Cpl,NewLinkHere %2"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\Sh
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\Sh
@="{500202A0-731E-11d0-B82
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="Shortcut"
"EditFlags"=hex:01,00,00,0
"IsShortcut"=""
"NeverShowExt"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{90A756E0-AFCF-11CE-927
Just Cut and paste to text editor, (notepad.exe) and save as a .reg extension name anything you want.
Make sure to save the System.Dat and User.Dat files from your Windows Directory and or the corresponding files from NT before playing the Registry Game.
JD
Excellent resource JD. Where did you find this?
AzDayton
Also, I know you didn't want to re-install but how about a quickie re-install?
WINDOWS 95 MISSING LINKS
Q: My PC locked up while I was running Windows 95. When I shut the system off and turned it back on again, most of the icons for my shortcuts had changed to plain little boxes, and the applications linked to them wouldn't work. How can I get the icons back and my shortcuts working again?
A: Credit technical support manager Corey at Vertisoft Systems for this great shortcut to fixing shortcuts. The problem is the links between the shortcuts and the applications were corrupted. The links are kept in small (.LNK) files stored in the \WINDOWS\DESKTOP folder. Links can be trashed when Windows 95 crashes, when you shut down Windows while files are open or disk activity is incomplete, or when a misbehaving application chews up critical system files.
While there is no Windows 95 tool to repair these links, Corey discovered a quick fix for this problem. Essentially you reinstall Windows 95 on top of your present setup. But only replace files that need to be replaced so you don't ruin your present installation.
Follow these steps.
Run SETUP from your Windows 95 CD-ROM or floppy disks using Start*Run.
Follow the dialogues through to the choice of "Replace Windows files that are missing or corrupt" or "Copy all files."
Accept the default selection "Replace," then click Continue.
SETUP will run through all of the installed applications, files and the Registry items and create new link files. The process takes five to 10 minutes.
So you may want to think about this one also.
JD
Also, I know you didn't want to re-install but how about a quickie re-install?
WINDOWS 95 MISSING LINKS
Q: My PC locked up while I was running Windows 95. When I shut the system off and turned it back on again, most of the icons for my shortcuts had changed to plain little boxes, and the applications linked to them wouldn't work. How can I get the icons back and my shortcuts working again?
A: Credit technical support manager Corey at Vertisoft Systems for this great shortcut to fixing shortcuts. The problem is the links between the shortcuts and the applications were corrupted. The links are kept in small (.LNK) files stored in the \WINDOWS\DESKTOP folder. Links can be trashed when Windows 95 crashes, when you shut down Windows while files are open or disk activity is incomplete, or when a misbehaving application chews up critical system files.
While there is no Windows 95 tool to repair these links, Corey discovered a quick fix for this problem. Essentially you reinstall Windows 95 on top of your present setup. But only replace files that need to be replaced so you don't ruin your present installation.
Follow these steps.
Run SETUP from your Windows 95 CD-ROM or floppy disks using Start*Run.
Follow the dialogues through to the choice of "Replace Windows files that are missing or corrupt" or "Copy all files."
Accept the default selection "Replace," then click Continue.
SETUP will run through all of the installed applications, files and the Registry items and create new link files. The process takes five to 10 minutes.
So you may want to think about this one also.
JD
AzDayton
"Where did you find this?"
I am a registry expert<- Yeah,... Right!
No just kidding, .. Drug it in trolling with Web Ferret,
http://www.ac.net/~lilesj/win98-25.html
Shortcut (lnk) files don't work or don't display the correct icon
Problem: Shortcut(lnk) files don't work or don't display the correct icon. To fix the lnk(Windows shortcut) file association, you need to... 04/03/99
69%
http://www.ac.net/~lilesj/files/fixlnk.zip
If it works, which it should then we all have a new little toy.
So don't forget to backup just in case. Let us know.
JD
"Where did you find this?"
I am a registry expert<- Yeah,... Right!
No just kidding, .. Drug it in trolling with Web Ferret,
http://www.ac.net/~lilesj/win98-25.html
Shortcut (lnk) files don't work or don't display the correct icon
Problem: Shortcut(lnk) files don't work or don't display the correct icon. To fix the lnk(Windows shortcut) file association, you need to... 04/03/99
69%
http://www.ac.net/~lilesj/files/fixlnk.zip
If it works, which it should then we all have a new little toy.
So don't forget to backup just in case. Let us know.
JD
ASKER
Kewl JD. The importing of the Registry Entries did the trick. MUCH thanks.
Now my only problem is that I don't see any button here to award the points to ya. I know it's gotta be here somewhere, but darned if I know where.
Now my only problem is that I don't see any button here to award the points to ya. I know it's gotta be here somewhere, but darned if I know where.
ASKER
Kewl JD. The importing of the Registry Entries did the trick. MUCH thanks.
Now my only problem is that I don't see any button here to award the points to ya. I know it's gotta be here somewhere, but darned if I know where.
Now my only problem is that I don't see any button here to award the points to ya. I know it's gotta be here somewhere, but darned if I know where.
AzDayton & JD
JD - write the same what you did as an answer and not as a comment
then AzDayton will have the option of rewarding you with points.
And - good registry knowledge here
JD - write the same what you did as an answer and not as a comment
then AzDayton will have the option of rewarding you with points.
And - good registry knowledge here
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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AzDayton
As some further information for others on this thread I had earlier contacted the Web "Master" about the Reg 4 working on Win 95 in reply;
:->Will the fixlnk.reg also work on Windows 95?
I believe that the shortcut registry entries are the same in windows 95 and 98.
As a safety measure you could create a backup of the registry first.
I have attached a version that I got off of a windows 95b system I have here.
You DO need to change the reference to the windows folder in it if your windows folder is not on the C drive or it is not named windows.
I had to edit this one since the computer I got it from has the windows folder on the D drive.
(The C drive is a small old one but the system can't boot without it.)<- lil joke here.
I hope that this helps. 8-).
Windows 98 help at
http://www.ac.net/~lilesj
windows 95b system
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk]
@="lnkfile"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\Sh
"Command"="C:\\WINDOWS\\ru
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="Shortcut"
"EditFlags"=hex:01,00,00,0
"IsShortcut"=""
"NeverShowExt"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{90A756E0-AFCF-11CE-927
So we now have a Win NT, Win 95, Win 95b, Win 98 fix for .LNK files.
Glad to be of help.
JD
As some further information for others on this thread I had earlier contacted the Web "Master" about the Reg 4 working on Win 95 in reply;
:->Will the fixlnk.reg also work on Windows 95?
I believe that the shortcut registry entries are the same in windows 95 and 98.
As a safety measure you could create a backup of the registry first.
I have attached a version that I got off of a windows 95b system I have here.
You DO need to change the reference to the windows folder in it if your windows folder is not on the C drive or it is not named windows.
I had to edit this one since the computer I got it from has the windows folder on the D drive.
(The C drive is a small old one but the system can't boot without it.)<- lil joke here.
I hope that this helps. 8-).
Windows 98 help at
http://www.ac.net/~lilesj
windows 95b system
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk]
@="lnkfile"
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.lnk\Sh
"Command"="C:\\WINDOWS\\ru
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="Shortcut"
"EditFlags"=hex:01,00,00,0
"IsShortcut"=""
"NeverShowExt"=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{00021401-0000-0000-C00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@=""
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile
@="{90A756E0-AFCF-11CE-927
So we now have a Win NT, Win 95, Win 95b, Win 98 fix for .LNK files.
Glad to be of help.
JD
Hi there,
Is this registry fix going to work on an XP machine?
If not, what wil?
I have the same problem on an XP machine.
Thanks.
Is this registry fix going to work on an XP machine?
If not, what wil?
I have the same problem on an XP machine.
Thanks.
Somehow the files have moved there location or been deleted. You may not be able to recover from this with out reinstalling your software.
Good luck and happy computing.