Dick wrote:
><<I have a number of files which can't be opened>>


In general, this is quite normal.  System or internal program files aren't
capable of being opened.

Without knowing what your system is or what type of files they are, we
can't be very much help.

It's all a matter of "file associations".  The 3 letters at the end of the
file name tell Windows which program is associated with those
files.  Sometimes this info is built into Windows (eg .txt or .jpg).
Sometimes a file may be associated with some program which has not
registered itself into the registry to deal with those files ---
or maybe a program which your computer simply doesn't have.  For example,
.pdf files need Acrobat Reader and if you don't have that not much else
will open those files.

There's one thing you can try, if you really think that they are data files
that can in fact be opened (ie they are not system files such as .dll's or
.ocx).

Chances are, the file will either be some sort of text file or a picture
file. Just rename it with the .txt extension if you think it might be a
text file, or .doc if it might be a formatted text file, or .jpg if it
might be a picture.  At least you might possibly get enough info to be able
to identify the file.  If it's a system file, you'll only see a lot of
garbage at best.  Don't forget to change the extension back to its original
name in case it's a vital system file.

On the little info you've given us, we can't help you until you tell us
what that vital extension is.

There are indexes available that list 1000's of file types along with the
programs required to open them.

If they are data files you've received from someone else, they've probably
been created on a specialised program which is on their computer but not on
yours.  You MAY need that same program (eg .cpt files can only be opened by
CorelDraw, and so on).  It's an almost endless minefield, and always a
great puzzlement for those new to computers.

AN ASIDE for more advanced members:

You can make File Associations work for you, by creating your own unique
associations.  For example, I want a certain set of simple text files to be
opened by Editplus instead of Notepad.  If I rename those files with a
unique file extension of my own choosing (let's say .edt),  I will then get
the mysterious "Open With" dialogue which  Dick describes.  If I then
select Editplus to open the first of those files, and tick the box "Always
use this program" then forever after all my .edt files will open in
Editplus, even thought they are just plain old text files in actual fact.

Be careful not to use a combination of letters that might be used by
another program on your computer.

This powerful facility is limited only by your imagination.

There's a tutorial on my website for those wanting to learn more about file
associations.

Don Penlington

 From the Beach at Surfers Paradise in sunny Queensland.
Computer tutorials, local scenery,  and other things at my website:
http://users.tpg.com.au/deepend/index1.html

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