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Notepad Problem:

I have several programs which default to Notepad. Then when I open Notepad to read the document it is unreadable. The writing is in symbols which are sent to the printer. I would assume I have a setting wrong but where??

First, General Help means genearal questions about Geeklog.
Second, going from memory,(I use Windows as little as possible), open "My Computer", choose Tools > Folder Options. Click "File Types" tab, then look for the extension thats causing the problems and delete it.

Of course from DOS you could always do and end all those Windows problems.

HTH,

Chuck

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Too many hands on my time.

Chuck,

First off I am sorry for posting an improper question here. I did interpert "general questions" to be general questions.
This is my first time to this site and I did see some Q/A on the page associated with site. Based on some of the answers I read my question is child's play compared to some. I was truly impressed with their knowlege.

Since I am already in kind of hot water I might as well finish up with this question. I am running 'Windows Me'
and I did follow your instructions. I opened "My Computer" but there were no "tools" icon. Could it be called something else? How will I be able to tell which ext. is causing the problem?

I do know how to get into dos but I don't know what to do after that or I would have tried your other suggestion.

At any rate Chuck thank you for your help. I promise to follow the rules after this toe stub. lol

Mike

Up at the top in the menu area it should say File View Tools and some other choices, in text, not icons.



DO NOT try the other suggestion. It was a twisted joke.

HTH,

Chuck

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Too many hands on my time.

Chuck,

I thought that was what you meant as far as going to "tools". I did that before my last "icon" post.

I just finished checking under "tools" and this is what I did.

1. Opened "My Computer"
2. went to top of page and located "tools"in the same row as "File" , "Edit", "View", etc.

3. Opened "tools"
the only three things under "tools" were
a) Map Network Drive
b) Disconnect Network Drive
c) Synchronize

I opened all three and there were no "folder options" or "file types".

Next I opened IE and and found "Tools" in the same rows as "File", "View", etc.

I then opened "tools" . Under "tools" were:

a) "Mail & News"
b) "Windows Update"
c) "Internet Options"

I then hit "Internet Options" and another screen opened on top of the existing page.

At the top of this new page were the headings for new pages which were:

a) General
b) Security
c) Privacy
d) Content
e) Connections
f) Programs
G) Advanced

and that was all. If there was a "folder options" or a "file types" there I sure didn't see it.

Can you think of any place else I could look?
How will I be able to tell the "offending ext." ??

Thank you.

Mike

I teach golf and am a professional fishing guide. If I can help you all you have to do is tell me what you need.

notepad cannot interpret formating that is created by programs such as ms word or openoffice, etc. you must save your docs not as txt files but as your program's default. notpad will not open .doc or .wps files, for example, without you having changed something in "folder options" and you've made it clear that is just not the case.
whatever program you use, try to "save as" rather than "save". or check the options in that particular program to see if it is saving its formatted docs as .txt files, which would also cause your problem.
even microsoft has agreed that windows ME was a mistake.
hope that helps

OK, sending this from a WinME box. Maybe it's the local settings, but it's here for me. Just did some checking and Folder Options is also in the Control Panel.

Look at the three letters at the end of the file is causing Notepad to open. For example, foo.bar look for BAR under the extensions column in the File Types tab. From there, highlight the offender, then click delete, change, whatever you want.

The worst that will happen if you delete the file association, next time you click that icon, it will give you the "Open With" dialog and you choose the proper application. Unfortunately, most people choose the wrong app and don't notice the little checkbox at the bottom that says "Always open this type of file with this application" defaults to being checked. (At least 95 does, not near my 98/98SE boxes, don't know about NT/XP.) So file associations are actually fairly easy to change by mistake. I've done it myself a couple of times, using Notepad on unknown files. Good Luck,

Chuck

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Too many hands on my time.

Chuck and Machinari,

I think my mom must have dropped me a lot when I was a baby. My WinME doesn't have "File Types" or "Folder Options" in the Control Panel. That is unless it would be under some other title (icon) and a couple of steps inside of that title.

I am sure I can find and delete the offending ext. if I could ever find that damn "Folder Options".

I opened a page that had been made by Notepad. It was solid printer speak. There wasn't one word that was readable. Then I tried to save that doc. as 'Save As'. It gave me two options. The first was as "text" and the second one was as "All Files". It was to be saved in "My Documents". I chose "All Files" and saved as. I then went to My Doc, found the file I had just saved and opened it up. Same thing, solid printer speak. I never dreamed it would be this complicated and take so much of your time. I thought one simple question and one simple answer.

Thank you to both of you for trying to help me.

Mike

Mike,

I don't know the answer to your question but hang in there. We have all went through similar things where the answer seemed elusive. Don't be concerned about posting an "improper" question here. It is far from the first time this has happened. lol Since it was your first time here and based on the questionable page instructions I assure you none of us are offended. There are some super sharp people who hang out here and someone will know the answer to your question(s).
Good luck.

Hi Mr. Mike,

Just wanted to say that I agree with Jimmy G 100%. If you don't get an answer here there isn't an answer. Someone will come along soon that has had the same problem and it will be fixed in just a few. Don't give up.

Pokie

One last try to get to the "Folder Options". From the Start Menu, click Run... and type in (copy-n-paste)
that should open the help browser for the app. Just scroll down the right window until you see the link Folder Options. Click it, and if your winme isn't totally hosed, the app will open. EDIT: you can also do a search for FOLDEROP.CHM and double click that to bring up the help.

That's my last idea. Hope it works.

And now back to my Slack box.

Chuck

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Too many hands on my time.

Chuck,

I did what you said. I went to start/run/etc. and it WORKED! The "folder options" link was there just like you said it would be.

I clicked the link and received this message "This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact system administrator."

First of all there is no "system administrator". I am not on any kind of network. Single computer here at home.
I have never knowingly put any restrictions on anything. My guess is that if I can get to the "folder options" after getting by this "restriction" business that my problem will be solved.

I also did a search and the "help" came up just like you said. You have me headed in the right direction Chuck if we can just get by the this "restriction" step.

One thing no matter what, no one can ever call you a "quitter".

Thank you.

Mike

Crap. It sounds like somebody messed with the Windows System Policy Editor, except that supposedly is not available on WinME. Either way, you could not have inadvertently changed something like that. Which leaves several options.
1. Windows screwed up on it's own. (Vanishing printers anyone?)
Very possible, especially WinME.
2. Trojaned. (Back Orifice comes to mind.)
Possible (Thank You IE and OE)
3. Bad Upgrade to WinME from an earlier Windows install.
Maybe.
4. EDIT: Some preinstalled program like Computer Cop, SPyPC, kid protection software, etc.
5. ?

You could try Tweak UI from MS. Just be careful with the options you choose. If I remember correctly, it's pretty user friendly. It might or might not do the trick, haven't used it for quite a while.

If that doesn't work, it might be time to either take it to a reputable repair facility or do a backup of your data and do a full reinstall.

Here's hoping.

Chuck

P.S. I could not reply to your email, bad return address. You're welcome.
P.P.S. To qoute Mark Twain: Golf is a good walk ruined.

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Too many hands on my time.