All protocols are dead, after cleaning up system32

[Branstrom]

I've been cleaning up system32, with the help of http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofiversion/in...hp/t316422.html - after I nLited my system. I have only removed stuff I know I don't use.

Now I can't open links. Win+R and any link with a protocol, http://www.msfn.org for example, results in an error message: "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Folder Options control panel."

It's either some file I've removed, or a registry malconfiguration. I've reinstalled Firefox three times, to no avail.

Do any of you know what files are responsible for identifying protocol links in Windows? I thought maybe url.dll and urlmon.dll had something to do with it, but I haven't deleted any of them.

I have made a backup of everything I've removed, so it's easy to restore, but I've tried restoring the files I was suspicious about and it hasn't changed anything.

All the links in programs other than the browser are still dead. Please, help!

Edited September 23, 2005 by Branstrom

[Bold_Fortune]

That guide of mine you're looking at on Neowin, Branstrom, has had numerous revisions made to it. I doubt if anyone's computer would work after using that one. LOL. (Just kidding.)

Better try this one...

http://www.bold-fortune.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=229

[Branstrom]

So do you know what might have caused my problem?

[Bold_Fortune]

Well, I doubt it would be from anything in the guide. The guide is about what I remove from XP, and I've never encounter this particular problem.

[Bold_Fortune]

Branstrom, I offered as much help as I can on this on your thread here...

http://www.bold-fortune.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=629

[SureshKumarUdatha]

I don't think so.

[Branstrom]

Huh? You don't think what?

[Elektrik]

So do you know what might have caused my problem?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think, that you need reinstall WinXP (not repare). I did it same some time ago.

[minigun]

dont remove internet explorer

[Branstrom]

Hey guys, there was a simple solution...

http://www.bold-fortune.com/forums/index.p...topic=629&st=20

Somehow I had disabled shdocvw.dll - which wasn't marked really well; it had an IE icon, and "C:\OS\system32\shdocvw.dll" didn't show until you opened the properties for that shell extension. As soon as I activated it everything worked again!