Can't merge a .reg file - error message

[Senator]

Hope this is the correct section to post. I'm running XP Home SP1

Downloaded IE Spyad.
Installation requires double click on a .reg file to merge the list of dodgy sites into the registry. When I try, I get a dialog box which says :

“This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the folder options control panel”

Presumably I’ve switched off the ability to merge somehow, does anyone know how to get around this or indeed how one would “Create an association in the folder options control panel”

Thanks in anticipation.

[Steve R Jones]

Try right clicking on ist and selecting "merge."

[Senator]

Originally posted by Steve R Jones
Try right clicking on ist and selecting "merge."

Should have mentioned. Tried that but get same result.

Thanks for replying.

[Tufenuf]

Senator, Try the following:

Click Start, Run and enter CMD A Command Prompt window will open. Now copy these words: assoc.reg=regfile


Right click in the Command Prompt Window and select Paste assoc.reg=regfile then press Enter.

Tufenuf

[Senator]

Thanks.
Did as you suggested. What should I see after pressing enter? It just placed the term ".reg=regfile" on the line immediately underneath, and then repaeted the line that appeared when I first opened the Command box i.e C:\Documents and Settings\(my user name)> as if waiting for another instruction.

Tried to merge the file again after, but got the same error box.
Really starting to bug me now. Thanks for your input though.

[Welshjim]

senator--It could be that your association of .reg files to Merge is corrupt. At the bottom is a thumbnail of how the windows for Merge look on my PC. (Windows|Tools|folder Options|File Types|scroll to REG|Highlight|Advanced|highlight Merge|Edit. ) You can set the "Application used..." line based on what you see in the attachment. Then OK|OK.
All this assumes you have the file regedit.exe on your PC.

[Tufenuf]

Senator, You'll see a blinking cursor after C:\Documents and Settings\(my user name) just type the following exactly as shown below.


assoc.reg=regfile


Then click Enter

If this doesn't solve the problem try Jim's suggestion and there is still another way but try the above first.

Tufenuf

[Senator]

Tufenuf - Yes did exactly that. All that happens is that it just placed the term ".reg=regfile" on the line immediately underneath, and then repeated the line that appeared when I first opened the Command box i.e C:\Documents and Settings\(my user name)> as if waiting for another instruction. So no luck there.

Welsh Jim - had a look on my comp at the same place as yours, highlighted Merge but when I click the Edit button nothing happens.
It's ok if I do that on the "edit" and "print" options, but no response on "Merge" (ain't that just my luck)

I did have another entry in the list called "Bypass Script Sentry" thought I'd got rid of that app though a long time ago, so just removed it from the list just in case.

Done a search for regedit.exe and it's on my comp under C:\\WINDOWS
Hope this helps.

For the record I'm not having any other issues with my comp at all - everything else seems fine.

[WhitPhil]

You should also be able to

Select the REG file.
Then, with the shift key held, right mouse, open with
From the list presented, use the browse to find REGEDIT.exe, ensure that "Always use ,,,,," is selected, and OK your way out.

The other way to process the file would be to run REGEDIT and import it.

But, the REG file association is standard in windows, so not having it there would seem to imply an "accidental" delete, or more likely a virus/spyware infection.

I would immediately update your virus defs and do a full scan. And, if nothing shows, download HiJackThis and copy/paste the log that it creates, back here for review.

[Tufenuf]

Senator, Here's another possible fix which has worked for others with similar problems. Go to the link below and download and run the Fixswen.inf file. Save the fixswen.inf file to your local hard disk, right-click on the file and choose install.

A Setup INF file to undo registry changes made by W32/Swen@MM and other threats that prevent REGEDIT, BAT, COM, EXE, PIF, REG and SCR files from running.

http://vil.nai.com/vil/averttools.asp

Tufenuf

[Senator]

Thanks for the reply WhitPhil. This is starting to really worry me now. Here's my HJT log if you would be kind enough to give it the once over.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 21:02:00, on 02/12/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\The Cleaner\tca.exe
C:\Program Files\The Cleaner\tcm.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Lavasoft\AD-AWA~1\Ad-Watch.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedul2.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImage\TrueImageMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedhlp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe
C:\Program Files\BigFix\BigFix.exe
C:\Program Files\Pyrenean\eDexter\eDexter.exe
C:\Program Files\Proxomitron Naoko-4\Proxomitron.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgbhp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntvdm.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\BILLPS~1\WINPAT~1\WINPAT~1.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Hijack This\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Internet Explorer
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = http=localhost:8080
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SpywareGuard Download Protection - {4A368E80-174F-4872-96B5-0B27DDD11DB2} - C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\dlprotect.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {A5366673-E8CA-11D3-9CD9-0090271D075B} - (disabled by BHODemon)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [tcactive] C:\Program Files\The Cleaner\tca.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [tcmonitor] C:\Program Files\The Cleaner\tcm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AWMON] "C:\PROGRA~1\Lavasoft\AD-AWA~1\Ad-Watch.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmcService] C:\PROGRA~1\Sygate\SPF\smc.exe -startgui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acronis_True_Image Monitor] "C:\Program Files\Acronis\TrueImage\TrueImageMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acronis Scheduler2 Service] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Acronis\Schedule2\schedhlp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinPatrol] "C:\PROGRA~1\BILLPS~1\WINPAT~1\WinPatrol.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpySweeper] "C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe" /0
O4 - Startup: eDexter.lnk = C:\Program Files\Pyrenean\eDexter\eDexter.exe
O4 - Startup: Shortcut to Proxomitron.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Proxomitron Naoko-4\Proxomitron.exe
O4 - Startup: SpywareGuard.lnk = C:\Program Files\SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
O4 - Global Startup: BigFix.lnk = C:\Program Files\BigFix\BigFix.exe
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download All by FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_all.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Download using FlashGet - C:\Program Files\FlashGet\jc_link.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Save with Download Manager... - file://C:\Program Files\J River\Media Center\DMDownload.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: FlashGet - {D6E814A0-E0C5-11d4-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\flashget.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &FlashGet - {D6E814A0-E0C5-11d4-8D29-0050BA6940E3} - C:\PROGRA~1\FlashGet\flashget.exe
O9 - Extra button: Medion-UK - {B05256F4-3C33-407F-A4C1-29DBD6F878FD} - http://www.medion.co.uk (file missing) (HKCU)
O12 - Plugin for .pdf: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\nppdf32.dll
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.windowsupdate.microsoft.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://www.vodafone.co.uk
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.windowsupdate.com
O16 - DPF: {01FE8D0A-51AD-459B-B62B-85E135128B32} (DD_v4.DDv4) - http://www.drivershq.com/DD_v4.CAB
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (sys Class) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {1842B0EE-B597-11D4-8997-00104BD12D94} (iCC Class) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/internet/pcpConnCheck.cab
O16 - DPF: {2FC9A21E-2069-4E47-8235-36318989DB13} (PPSDKActiveXScanner.MainScreen) - http://www.pestscan.com/scanner/axscanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {34805D32-AD89-469E-8503-A5666AEE4333} - http://207.188.7.150/27a525c86de998c...tzip/RdxIE.cab
O16 - DPF: {41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C} - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/...eInstaller.exe
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2...ll/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {78960E0E-0B0C-11D4-8997-00104BD12D94} (AV Class) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/antivirus/PCPAV.CAB
O16 - DPF: {8B1BC605-C593-4865-8F5B-05517F0CD0BB} (MSSecurityAdvisorCD Class) - file://F:\Content\include\msSecUcd.cab
O16 - DPF: {9A9307A0-7DA4-4DAF-B042-5009F29E09E1} (ActiveScan Installer Class) - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/as5/asinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {A7EA8AD2-287F-11D3-B120-006008C39542} (CBSTIEPrint Class) - http://offers.brightstreet.com/cif/d...in/actxcab.cab
O16 - DPF: {AE9DCB17-F804-11D2-A44A-0020182C1446} (IntraLaunch.MainControl) - file://F:\SuperCD\IntraLaunch.CAB
O16 - DPF: {D47B9AB4-83C1-4534-ABDC-ACBFFE8F2B86} (CWDL_DownLoadControl Class) - http://www.callwave.com/include/cab/CWDL_DownLoad.cab
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: PAVWAIT.DLL

Hope fully there's nothing to be too concerned about.

[jenae]

Hi, looks to me like you have .reg associated with script sentry, as you have this disabled then windows cannot find the association. Go back to Welshjim's post and his attachment select edit and change open to regedit.exe"%1" , set as default. You can easily test your .reg associations by opening regedit and selecting any sub key and exporting to desktop save as .reg and double click to merge into registry.

[Senator]

Originally posted by jenae
Hi, looks to me like you have .reg associated with script sentry, as you have this disabled then windows cannot find the association. Go back to Welshjim's post and his attachment select edit and change open to regedit.exe"%1" , set as default. You can easily test your .reg associations by opening regedit and selecting any sub key and exporting to desktop save as .reg and double click to merge into registry.

Wow! After all that worry, you were right Jenae. It was Script Sentry. I installed it again and although it takes precedence with all file associations, it now allows me to merge into the registry if I so wish (plus it gives me an extra level of protection), so I am one happy bunny.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to reply. It is appreciated.

[Tufenuf]

Senator, Glad to see that the problem is solved. That was a good catch by jenae and Thanks for posting back to let us know.

Tufenuf