Winamp associates files without extension to itself

fabbo · 17th January 2001, 12:42

When Winamp is installed (at least the versions up to 2.65 on Windows 95/98, I haven't tested the following ones), not only audio files (MP3,WAV etc.) are associated to it, but also all the files without an extension. If you double-click on a file called, say, README, Winamp starts and tries to open README. It obviously fails since README is very unlikely to be a valid audio file.

ElmoTheGreat · 17th January 2001, 22:45

first, is to open the windows explorer. Select Tools Menu -- Folder Options -- File Types tab. It should appear as the first entry entry in the list (having no extension). You can simply delete the file type association, or edit it to use Notepad, or some other editor for unknown types.

Second solution is to edit the registry directly. Run regedit from the command line ("Run" in start menu), and look for the first key under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. It should be a folder with an asterisk(*) next to it. Again, you can simply delete this key, or modify it's values to cause it to open with another program (not recommended for novices).

Winsane · 17th January 2001, 23:40

Actually, I think you'd want to leave the "*" key. The key that I expect is the problem is the one that's just a period without the asterisk ("."). It'll probably be the second key, right after the asterisk key. Delete that one instead.

DJ Egg · 18th January 2001, 00:06

Yup, Winsane's got the right key there . . . delete it!

I know this issue has come up once or twice b4, and as far as I know it was fixed.
I experienced it myself in v2.5x, but never since.

It'd be a good idea to goto:
"Prefs -> File Types" & remove the checkmark next to "Register files on Winamp start"
This will prevent any further re-association with extensionless files.

I'm not sure if you have to disable the Winamp Agent aswell?
I don't use it, and ain't gonna enable it just to find out!

ElmoTheGreat · 18th January 2001, 00:12

Yep, you're right... Sorry about that.

The key (at least on this machine) "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/." contains 4 CLSID keys, each pointing to "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Mouse\mouse32(a, b, c, d).dll (respectively). Why a file extension (or lack thereof) would be associated with an intellipoint mouse, I have no idea.

This has me bugged... there's no settings in my mouse control applet for unknown file types!

Winsane · 18th January 2001, 00:37

My guess is that under certain circumstances (dunno which ones, though), if the "." key already exists, Winamp associates itself with that key. Apparently the IntelliMouse software is one such program that creates that key, since the last person who posted about this had an IntelliMouse too.
On the assumption that there's a reason for the IntelliMouse or whatever else stuff is there being there, I would suggest simply deleting any Winamp-related strings/values, and leaving the rest. So just click on the "." key, double-click on "(Default)", delete "Winamp.File", and click OK. That should solve the problem without interfering with anything else. Of course if there isn't anything else, then feel free to delete the entire key.

And Fabbo, it's generally a good idea to install the latest version of a program before reporting any bugs in it. I believe this particular bug has been fixed since the version you've got (can't be sure since I never experienced the problem). If for whatever reason you refuse to upgrade, then it'd probably be better to post in the tech support forums instead of Bug Reports, to see if any of us have come up with a work-around (such as the one above) for the old bug.

17th January 2001, 22:45	#2
ElmoTheGreat Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 25	2 ways to fix the problem first, is to open the windows explorer. Select Tools Menu -- Folder Options -- File Types tab. It should appear as the first entry entry in the list (having no extension). You can simply delete the file type association, or edit it to use Notepad, or some other editor for unknown types. Second solution is to edit the registry directly. Run regedit from the command line ("Run" in start menu), and look for the first key under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. It should be a folder with an asterisk(*) next to it. Again, you can simply delete this key, or modify it's values to cause it to open with another program (not recommended for novices).

18th January 2001, 00:06	#4
DJ Egg Techorator Winamp & Shoutcast Team Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 35,894	Yup, Winsane's got the right key there . . . delete it! I know this issue has come up once or twice b4, and as far as I know it was fixed. I experienced it myself in v2.5x, but never since. It'd be a good idea to goto: "Prefs -> File Types" & remove the checkmark next to "Register files on Winamp start" This will prevent any further re-association with extensionless files. I'm not sure if you have to disable the Winamp Agent aswell? I don't use it, and ain't gonna enable it just to find out! Playlist -\|- Twitter

18th January 2001, 00:12	#5
ElmoTheGreat Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 25	Intellipoint Mouse Key Yep, you're right... Sorry about that. The key (at least on this machine) "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/." contains 4 CLSID keys, each pointing to "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Mouse\mouse32(a, b, c, d).dll (respectively). Why a file extension (or lack thereof) would be associated with an intellipoint mouse, I have no idea. This has me bugged... there's no settings in my mouse control applet for unknown file types!

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17th January 2001, 12:42	#1
fabbo Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1	When Winamp is installed (at least the versions up to 2.65 on Windows 95/98, I haven't tested the following ones), not only audio files (MP3,WAV etc.) are associated to it, but also all the files without an extension. If you double-click on a file called, say, README, Winamp starts and tries to open README. It obviously fails since README is very unlikely to be a valid audio file.

17th January 2001, 23:40	#3
Winsane Moderator Alumni Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: U.S. (eastern time zone) Posts: 2,598	Actually, I think you'd want to leave the "*" key. The key that I expect is the problem is the one that's just a period without the asterisk ("."). It'll probably be the second key, right after the asterisk key. Delete that one instead.

18th January 2001, 00:37	#6
Winsane Moderator Alumni Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: U.S. (eastern time zone) Posts: 2,598	My guess is that under certain circumstances (dunno which ones, though), if the "." key already exists, Winamp associates itself with that key. Apparently the IntelliMouse software is one such program that creates that key, since the last person who posted about this had an IntelliMouse too. On the assumption that there's a reason for the IntelliMouse or whatever else stuff is there being there, I would suggest simply deleting any Winamp-related strings/values, and leaving the rest. So just click on the "." key, double-click on "(Default)", delete "Winamp.File", and click OK. That should solve the problem without interfering with anything else. Of course if there isn't anything else, then feel free to delete the entire key. And Fabbo, it's generally a good idea to install the latest version of a program before reporting any bugs in it. I believe this particular bug has been fixed since the version you've got (can't be sure since I never experienced the problem). If for whatever reason you refuse to upgrade, then it'd probably be better to post in the tech support forums instead of Bug Reports, to see if any of us have come up with a work-around (such as the one above) for the old bug.