Strange links behavior

I have no difficulty opening my internet browser and navigating to any
website. However, if I click on a link without the browser open, I get an
error message as follows:

"Gerneral failure. The URL was:
http etc.... . The system cannot find the file specified."

Despite this, the link works and the browser opens at the correct URL. Why
am I getting this strange message and how do I correct it?

Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Default Programs. Click "Set default programs for this computer". In the "Custom" section, select "Internet Explorer" and click OK.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


"Barrie" <> wrote in message news:0925741E-9C72-4E35-8F5A-...
I have no difficulty opening my internet browser and navigating to any
website. However, if I click on a link without the browser open, I get an
error message as follows:

"Gerneral failure. The URL was:
http etc.... . The system cannot find the file specified."

Despite this, the link works and the browser opens at the correct URL. Why
am I getting this strange message and how do I correct it?

Thank you, Ramesh. I am using Home Premium and Firefox as my explorer. I do
not see andy "Custom"section, only a default program selection list. I have
tried both Firefox and Explorer (separately) and then rebooted but to no
avail. I have also associated .com files with Firefox in the list headed
"Associate a file type or protocol with a program." I should say that I did
have Firefox selected as my default browser in Tools|Internet Options.

Can you help me find the "Custom" selections that you recommend using?

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Default Programs. Click "Set default programs for this computer". In the "Custom" section, select "Internet Explorer" and click OK.
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>
> "Barrie" <> wrote in message news:0925741E-9C72-4E35-8F5A-...
> I have no difficulty opening my internet browser and navigating to any
> website. However, if I click on a link without the browser open, I get an
> error message as follows:
>
> "Gerneral failure. The URL was:
> http etc.... . The system cannot find the file specified."
>
> Despite this, the link works and the browser opens at the correct URL. Why
> am I getting this strange message and how do I correct it?
>

Barrie,

My mistake. In the "Default Programs" window, click the following option:

"Set program access and computer defaults"

Click "Custom", and select "Mozilla Firefox"

Click OK.

>> I have also associated .com files with Firefox in the list headed "Associate a file type or protocol with a program."

Oops! That's a mistake. .COM are executable files. They don't relate to Web addresses (for example, www.something.com)
Now, you need to restore the .COM file type association back to defaults. Sadly, in Windows Vista there isn't a GUI option to revert back the setting. You may need to edit the registry manually, or use the tool below:

1. Download unassoc.zip from my site here:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/231/1/
2. Save the file to Desktop
3. Extract the contents to a folder and run the file unassoc.exe
4. Select .COM file type from the list
5. Click "Remove file association (User)"

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


"Barrie" <> wrote in message news:6116787A-A189-4A3B-B49B-...
Thank you, Ramesh. I am using Home Premium and Firefox as my explorer. I do
not see andy "Custom"section, only a default program selection list. I have
tried both Firefox and Explorer (separately) and then rebooted but to no
avail. I have also associated .com files with Firefox in the list headed
"Associate a file type or protocol with a program." I should say that I did
have Firefox selected as my default browser in Tools|Internet Options.

Can you help me find the "Custom" selections that you recommend using?

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Default Programs. Click "Set default programs for this computer". In the "Custom" section, select "Internet Explorer" and click OK.
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>
> "Barrie" <> wrote in message news:0925741E-9C72-4E35-8F5A-...
> I have no difficulty opening my internet browser and navigating to any
> website. However, if I click on a link without the browser open, I get an
> error message as follows:
>
> "Gerneral failure. The URL was:
> http etc.... . The system cannot find the file specified."
>
> Despite this, the link works and the browser opens at the correct URL. Why
> am I getting this strange message and how do I correct it?
>

Excellent, Ramesh. It looks as though all is well now. Thank you so much!

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> Barrie,
>
> My mistake. In the "Default Programs" window, click the following option:
>
> "Set program access and computer defaults"
>
> Click "Custom", and select "Mozilla Firefox"
>
> Click OK.
>
> >> I have also associated .com files with Firefox in the list headed "Associate a file type or protocol with a program."
>
> Oops! That's a mistake. .COM are executable files. They don't relate to Web addresses (for example, www.something.com)
> Now, you need to restore the .COM file type association back to defaults. Sadly, in Windows Vista there isn't a GUI option to revert back the setting. You may need to edit the registry manually, or use the tool below:
>
> 1. Download unassoc.zip from my site here:
> http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/231/1/
> 2. Save the file to Desktop
> 3. Extract the contents to a folder and run the file unassoc.exe
> 4. Select .COM file type from the list
> 5. Click "Remove file association (User)"
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>
> "Barrie" <> wrote in message news:6116787A-A189-4A3B-B49B-...
> Thank you, Ramesh. I am using Home Premium and Firefox as my explorer. I do
> not see andy "Custom"section, only a default program selection list. I have
> tried both Firefox and Explorer (separately) and then rebooted but to no
> avail. I have also associated .com files with Firefox in the list headed
> "Associate a file type or protocol with a program." I should say that I did
> have Firefox selected as my default browser in Tools|Internet Options.
>
> Can you help me find the "Custom" selections that you recommend using?
>
> "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
>
> > Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Default Programs. Click "Set default programs for this computer". In the "Custom" section, select "Internet Explorer" and click OK.
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> >
> > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
> >
> >
> > "Barrie" <> wrote in message news:0925741E-9C72-4E35-8F5A-...
> > I have no difficulty opening my internet browser and navigating to any
> > website. However, if I click on a link without the browser open, I get an
> > error message as follows:
> >
> > "Gerneral failure. The URL was:
> > http etc.... . The system cannot find the file specified."
> >
> > Despite this, the link works and the browser opens at the correct URL. Why
> > am I getting this strange message and how do I correct it?
> >
>

You're welcome Barrie.

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


"Barrie" <> wrote in message news:1978D5A5-EC10-459F-B961-...
Excellent, Ramesh. It looks as though all is well now. Thank you so much!

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> Barrie,
>
> My mistake. In the "Default Programs" window, click the following option:
>
> "Set program access and computer defaults"
>
> Click "Custom", and select "Mozilla Firefox"
>
> Click OK.
>
> >> I have also associated .com files with Firefox in the list headed "Associate a file type or protocol with a program."
>
> Oops! That's a mistake. .COM are executable files. They don't relate to Web addresses (for example, www.something.com)
> Now, you need to restore the .COM file type association back to defaults. Sadly, in Windows Vista there isn't a GUI option to revert back the setting. You may need to edit the registry manually, or use the tool below:
>
> 1. Download unassoc.zip from my site here:
> http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/231/1/
> 2. Save the file to Desktop
> 3. Extract the contents to a folder and run the file unassoc.exe
> 4. Select .COM file type from the list
> 5. Click "Remove file association (User)"
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com

Ramesh,

After thanking you in the belief that you had shown me the solution to my
problem, I find that I am wrong. My computer is currently behaving as
described oringinally.

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> You're welcome Barrie.
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>
> "Barrie" <> wrote in message news:1978D5A5-EC10-459F-B961-...
> Excellent, Ramesh. It looks as though all is well now. Thank you so much!
>
> "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
>
> > Barrie,
> >
> > My mistake. In the "Default Programs" window, click the following option:
> >
> > "Set program access and computer defaults"
> >
> > Click "Custom", and select "Mozilla Firefox"
> >
> > Click OK.
> >
> > >> I have also associated .com files with Firefox in the list headed "Associate a file type or protocol with a program."
> >
> > Oops! That's a mistake. .COM are executable files. They don't relate to Web addresses (for example, www.something.com)
> > Now, you need to restore the .COM file type association back to defaults. Sadly, in Windows Vista there isn't a GUI option to revert back the setting. You may need to edit the registry manually, or use the tool below:
> >
> > 1. Download unassoc.zip from my site here:
> > http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/231/1/
> > 2. Save the file to Desktop
> > 3. Extract the contents to a folder and run the file unassoc.exe
> > 4. Select .COM file type from the list
> > 5. Click "Remove file association (User)"
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> >
> > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>

Barrie,

Perhaps a third-party browser has overtaken the association settings, in the mean time?

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


"Barrie" <> wrote in message news:9F38870B-2E04-4C6C-8B6E-...
Ramesh,

After thanking you in the belief that you had shown me the solution to my
problem, I find that I am wrong. My computer is currently behaving as
described oringinally.

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> You're welcome Barrie.
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>
> "Barrie" <> wrote in message news:1978D5A5-EC10-459F-B961-...
> Excellent, Ramesh. It looks as though all is well now. Thank you so much!
>
> "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
>
> > Barrie,
> >
> > My mistake. In the "Default Programs" window, click the following option:
> >
> > "Set program access and computer defaults"
> >
> > Click "Custom", and select "Mozilla Firefox"
> >
> > Click OK.
> >
> > >> I have also associated .com files with Firefox in the list headed "Associate a file type or protocol with a program."
> >
> > Oops! That's a mistake. .COM are executable files. They don't relate to Web addresses (for example, www.something.com)
> > Now, you need to restore the .COM file type association back to defaults. Sadly, in Windows Vista there isn't a GUI option to revert back the setting. You may need to edit the registry manually, or use the tool below:
> >
> > 1. Download unassoc.zip from my site here:
> > http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/231/1/
> > 2. Save the file to Desktop
> > 3. Extract the contents to a folder and run the file unassoc.exe
> > 4. Select .COM file type from the list
> > 5. Click "Remove file association (User)"
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> >
> > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>

I am using Firefox and it is the default browser. The only other browser of
which I am aware is IE and this is not designated as the default browser.
Could it be trying anyway and, if so, how would I know?

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> Barrie,
>
> Perhaps a third-party browser has overtaken the association settings, in the mean time?
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>
> "Barrie" <> wrote in message news:9F38870B-2E04-4C6C-8B6E-...
> Ramesh,
>
> After thanking you in the belief that you had shown me the solution to my
> problem, I find that I am wrong. My computer is currently behaving as
> described oringinally.
>
> "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
>
> > You're welcome Barrie.
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> >
> > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
> >
> >
> > "Barrie" <> wrote in message news:1978D5A5-EC10-459F-B961-...
> > Excellent, Ramesh. It looks as though all is well now. Thank you so much!
> >
> > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
> >
> > > Barrie,
> > >
> > > My mistake. In the "Default Programs" window, click the following option:
> > >
> > > "Set program access and computer defaults"
> > >
> > > Click "Custom", and select "Mozilla Firefox"
> > >
> > > Click OK.
> > >
> > > >> I have also associated .com files with Firefox in the list headed "Associate a file type or protocol with a program."
> > >
> > > Oops! That's a mistake. .COM are executable files. They don't relate to Web addresses (for example, www.something.com)
> > > Now, you need to restore the .COM file type association back to defaults. Sadly, in Windows Vista there isn't a GUI option to revert back the setting. You may need to edit the registry manually, or use the tool below:
> > >
> > > 1. Download unassoc.zip from my site here:
> > > http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/231/1/
> > > 2. Save the file to Desktop
> > > 3. Extract the contents to a folder and run the file unassoc.exe
> > > 4. Select .COM file type from the list
> > > 5. Click "Remove file association (User)"
> > >
> > > --
> > > Regards,
> > >
> > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
> >
> >
>

Barrie,

See if this note helps:

<quote>
After a COMPLETE uninstall and reinstall of Firefox, the problem went away. After a few days though, it came back. I searched through my registry to see if any keys relating to Firefox had been changed. I found that the majority of keys that were changed/added were things relating to Google Toolbar, which I then remembered I had installed the night before.

I deleted the Google Toolbar add-in from within FF and the problem disappeared. I then reinstalled the toolbar and, low and behold, the problem returned. Anyway, it looks like it has something to do with how Google Toolbar installs itself in Vista.
No more Google Toolbar for me, at least until they fix it!
</quote>

See Comment #10 in Brandon Paddock's blog:
http://brandonlive.com/2007/03/08/start-04-released/

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


"Barrie" <> wrote in message news:93974AD2-88A8-402F-A9A8-...
I am using Firefox and it is the default browser. The only other browser of
which I am aware is IE and this is not designated as the default browser.
Could it be trying anyway and, if so, how would I know?

"Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:

> Barrie,
>
> Perhaps a third-party browser has overtaken the association settings, in the mean time?
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
>
>
> "Barrie" <> wrote in message news:9F38870B-2E04-4C6C-8B6E-...
> Ramesh,
>
> After thanking you in the belief that you had shown me the solution to my
> problem, I find that I am wrong. My computer is currently behaving as
> described oringinally.
>
> "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
>
> > You're welcome Barrie.
> >
> > --
> > Regards,
> >
> > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
> >
> >
> > "Barrie" <> wrote in message news:1978D5A5-EC10-459F-B961-...
> > Excellent, Ramesh. It looks as though all is well now. Thank you so much!
> >
> > "Ramesh, MS-MVP" wrote:
> >
> > > Barrie,
> > >
> > > My mistake. In the "Default Programs" window, click the following option:
> > >
> > > "Set program access and computer defaults"
> > >
> > > Click "Custom", and select "Mozilla Firefox"
> > >
> > > Click OK.
> > >
> > > >> I have also associated .com files with Firefox in the list headed "Associate a file type or protocol with a program."
> > >
> > > Oops! That's a mistake. .COM are executable files. They don't relate to Web addresses (for example, www.something.com)
> > > Now, you need to restore the .COM file type association back to defaults. Sadly, in Windows Vista there isn't a GUI option to revert back the setting. You may need to edit the registry manually, or use the tool below:
> > >
> > > 1. Download unassoc.zip from my site here:
> > > http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/231/1/
> > > 2. Save the file to Desktop
> > > 3. Extract the contents to a folder and run the file unassoc.exe
> > > 4. Select .COM file type from the list
> > > 5. Click "Remove file association (User)"
> > >
> > > --
> > > Regards,
> > >
> > > Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
> > > Windows® Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com
> >
> >
>