Computer help

[illflem]

On my newer computer with XP whenever I try to open an email attachment all I get is "not a valid Win32 application"

The box that prohibits opening attachments in Outlook Express is unchecked. The applications that the attachments need are installed and work fine. It doesn't matter what type of application is needed I get the same error message.

Old computer opened them just fine. What's going on?

 

[lschultz]

not much help

I had something similar to that when we got this new Dell. For some reason I could not open these weird emails Whitmore would send me with attachments. I finally went into something(don't remember what I did)and checked something and now it works. I'm sure somebody will help you on this one.

 

[schu777]

Well - good old microsoft buries anything in the Options - advance options and so on. It does take time to figure out where, but go through all the options (even the advance buttons) and look for something that deals with attachments. Don't have the laptop with me, so I can't say what it is.



If you don't get it figured out, post such and I'll check tonight on the laptop for such a setting.



Michael

 

[gonehuntingagain]

when I first got Office XP, outlook was locked down so tight that I couldn't even receive excel files. I did some research on MS's knowledge base, and ended up editing the registry to allow me to receive the files. You may need to do the same.



Good Luck

 

[illflem]

I might add that I can drag the attachment onto the desktop, still doesn't open.

 

[schu777]

Okay - check this out -



1) Open up Outlook Express

2) Select "Tools" from the menu and select "Options".

3) Select the "Security" tab

4) Under "Virus Protection" - uncheck the box "Do not allow attachments to be saved or opened that could potentially be a virus".

5) Try to open your attachments.



If that doesn't work, let me know.



Found one more thing



1) Open up Outlook Express

2) Select "Tools" from the menu and select "Options".

3) Click on the "Connection" tab.

4) Click on the "Change... " button.

5) Select the "Security" tab.

6) Click on "Custom Level" (If it appears)

7) Under security settings - scroll down to "Drag and drop or copy and paste files"

8) Change this setting to "Enable" or "Prompt"



Now give that a try too... Michael

 

[lschultz]

Thats what I did the first one as you suggested.

 

[illflem]

Michael, the settings in the two ideas you offer were already as you suggested. I'm thinking it may be something other than OE since the attachments won't open even after I drag them to the desktop. I agree there is a box somewhere that needs to be checked/unchecked but heck if I can find it.

Tried calling Dell today, after 20 minutes on hold I gave up.

 

[Jacobs]

You may want to try Google or the Dell help site.



I have solved some problems by typing the error message in the search field and hitting the search button. You will find a lot of material that doesn't apply but you may get lucky.



When I need to call Dell, I use the speaker phone. That way I keep working on a project until I can speak with someone. Good luck.



Bruce

 

[Johnstra]

What kind of attachment is it? You say any type of attachment does the same thing - even if it's just a . txt file? It doesn't sound like the problem is related to email... your system is having trouble launching the program. When you drag the attachment to your desktop, does the system create a copy of the file for you? If so, double-clicking the copy on the desktop gives you the same error?

 

[slo-ryde]

Sounds like the file or attachment isn't properly associated with an application. To test this copy the attachment to a folder or desktop and double-click on the file. If you get a window asking which application you want to use to open it scroll down to the correct application and click on okay.



For example, a file with the . doc extension is normally associated with winword (Windows Word).



Hope this helps!

 

[illflem]

I've drug the attachments to the desktop, right clicked then open with, then clicked the appropriate application, same error message. It doesn't matter what type of application is needed. I've been forwarding email with attachments to my work computer, works fine. I've noticed that every attachment has a name that ends in . eml preceded with the document type, for example . doc. I assume that means email. Wonder if that could be throwing it off?

 

[Johnstra]

I don't know why the . eml is being appended to the name of the files. Save one to a folder and rename it, dropping the . eml extension (if the file is filename. doc. eml, rename it to filename. doc). Then try opening it.

 

[The patriot]

I still cant get my OE to work on my puter with XP. NOT AT ALL!!

Wish I could help.

Eric

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

WHOAH! BILL HAS A COMPUTER Q:!!!!



Anyways. Is the atatchment part of proprietary software?



. eml sounds like an emulation file extension that is associated along with the file.



Are there graffics associated with the file? If so it sounds like the . eml extension is another form of a metafile extension that the software used to open it has it's own security/proprietary enhancement that the XP driver database has no clue exists. (I. E an . emf extension is a Enchanced Metafile graphics document)

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Nope I was waaaay offff It is definatly a Outlook Express Electronic Mail (Microsoft) file.



Now I am looking thru my file associations to narrow it down for ya

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

START------->Control Panel----------->Folder options---------Tab for file types -------->scroll to EML-------->Advanced ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

One other thing could be is to go

Start---->control Panel------>administrative tools-------->event viewer------->event viewre (local) / Aplications and click on the warning that has the description of whats happening. Then a dialouge box appears with the option to send it to Microsoftie's database for either an immediate fix or another work order to have a patch made for you.

 

[illflem]

Thanks Tim, your first suggestion got it. eml files were set to open with IE. I changed it to open with Outlook Express and they open right up even if it takes Power Point, Word etc.

Thanks again

 

[R.ebel]

can't open attachment

Ok guys, I've got the same problem with email attachment that I can't open. This problem is on a Windows 2000 system. I tried everything listed in this post so far... . no joy. Any help is greatly appreciated. TIA