I have two external hard drives hoked up to my laptop, both are wester digital.

when i go into the my computer window and go to double click on the hard drive it prompts me with an open with window with various programs listed and idk what to do from there. i'm good with computers but i do not know how to fix this.

If i type in F:/ on the top bar and hit enter then it automatically goes into the hard drive like it normally would. my music still plays from the hard drive.

basically what i'm asking is what is the program i need to find for the drive to open through the my computer screen.

my internal C: drive works fine, no issues there.

i think i may just be missing something retarded on my end that i'm not thinking of.

mods if this is the wrong place please move it, i think it's an easy fix though. Thank you.

 

Sounds like Explorer is F'ed up. Windows XP or Vista?

 

windows xp

exactly what i was thinking it was something do with explorer, just don't know how to solve the issue

 

Try reinstalling SP2 or see if SP3 is out...

 

what are the options when you right click the drive? which option is black? open, search, explore, etc?

 

i have SP3...just checked and it seems like they have an update for SP3. i will install it later tonight since i have to get some work done first. thanks whiskers

btw i always vote for you

anyone else got any other ideas?

 

when i right click all the option come up, if i hit open i get an open with window. if i hit explore i get the same open with window with a bunch of my programs listed.


the option that is bolded is option...if thats what you mean.

 

control panel
folder options
file types tab
select drive and click advanced
what does it say in that box?

 

ya that's what i meant. did you mean open is bolded?

 

yea open

 

Stupid question, have you rebooted?

 

says find in the option box

 

when the open with window pops up after you double click, select explorer and check the "always use the selected program" box.

 

no....but i never had problem before. i have shut off my drive externals and turned them back in. but my C:\ drive is perfect no issues.....i click on C and i'm inside of it.

 

internet explorer is an option which i know is wrong but no explorer by itself option is available.

 

Maybe try changing the drive letter and see if that fixes it?

Don't know if it will help, but sometimes the drive letters mess things up if you've hooked other devices to the USB that use the same as your externals.

My Computer
Control Panel
Administrative Tools
Performance Maintenance
Computer Management
Disk Management
Right Click an external drive and change the drive letter and path

 

Seriously, try a reboot, then re-attach the device. Your OS may be working fine, but it isn't correctly recognizing the USB device. Try a reboot. All your friends are doing it. It will make you feel really good. You know you want to. It will make you cool.

 

that sounds like a good fix.

right clicking my computer and selecting manage, will take you right to computer management

 

i was going to suggest unplugging and plugging in the external drive, but i assumed he tried that.

 

i did unplug them also.....i've done that many times....and has solved all my recognition problems i had in the past...

i don't want to change drive names.....mess up my itunes haha. i will try a reboot once i'm done with my Lab.

 

Try this, and don't get all pissy at me if you trash your registry.

Open notepad and type in the following:

Save the file as "help.reg" preferably on the desktop.

Then simply merge the file in the Registry by (usually) double-clicking on the file and selecting yes in the dialog box that appears. Hopefully that should solve your problem.

 

something about this statement tells me last resort......

 

I don't think I have trashed anyone's PC here yet.
Maybe they could never report back in

 

Here is the lame manual way to fix it. Does the same thing as the script.
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;321186

 

internet forum computer experts > *

 

Classic!

 

Chant it with me:

Re - Boot


Re - Boot



Re - Boot



Re - Boot



Re - Boot



Re - Boot

 

there is a ton of IT guys on here......plus you guys are the shit! see fast responses...and good info. this is the best forum out there....one stop shop.

stogie i'll be updating and rebooting tonight. i'll know for sure tomorrow morning.

 

Tomorrow morning??? it really shouldnt take that long for your computer to reboot....

 

For real...he too lazy to get on to tell us wazzup...

 

so i updated everything for my xp that was out.....and rebooted last night.

when i logged on this morning it did the same thing as it was doing before, i still get the open with window.

i plugged in my flashdrive which is a U3 drive and it didn't even boot up like normally. so i went inot my computer and saw it, i double clicked on it and i got another open with window, the same issue that i have with my external harddrive.

i'm going to try the registry thing......but i'm not on comp right now.

anyone else got any other ideas i can try?

 

go into device manager and check to see if your usb ports are working properly

 

did you check your tcpip settings?

 

so i updated, rebooted, did the registry thing, checked the registry, and everything else and still no luck....WTF

and the same goddamn message..... frustrating the hell out of me

 

when the open with winow opens.

1. click browse
2. navigate to C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
3. click OK
4. check "always use for this file type" box
5. click OK

try to open the drive

 

Have you tried another hard drive?

 

 

He tried his U3 thumbdrive.


Sounds like a USB issue. Def try Sho_Nuffs last two suggestions.

 

format c:

 

In that case, go into device manager, uninstall the USB drivers and let it uninstall.