Microsoft KB Archive/153912

= Microsoft Knowledge Base =

Internet Shortcuts Do Not Function After Reinstalling MSN
Last reviewed: October 7, 1997

Article ID: Q153912

The information in this article applies to:


 * The Microsoft Network versions 1.2, 1.3, 2.0, 2.5

SYMPTOMS
When you double-click an Internet shortcut, your Web browser may not open or connect to the Web page.

CAUSE
Internet shortcuts may become associated with the Ccdialer.exe file instead of the Rundll32.dll file. This behavior can occur after uninstalling and reinstalling MSN, The Microsoft Network, version 1.2, without also reinstalling Microsoft Internet Explorer. This may also occur with third-party Web browsers, which may alter the file association for Internet shortcuts.

RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, set up the correct file association for Internet shortcuts, or remove and reinstall Internet Explorer.

To set up the correct file association for Internet shortcuts, follow these steps:

 Click Start, point to Programs, and then click Windows Explorer. On the View menu, click Options. Click the File Types tab. In the Registered File Types box, click Internet Shortcut, and then click Edit. In the Actions box, click Open, and then click Edit.  In the Application Used To Perform Action box, type the following line: rundll32.exe url.dll,OpenURL %1 NOTE: Make sure to type a space before "%1". The case and spacing of the characters must match this line exactly.  Click OK or Close until you return to Windows.

To remove and reinstall Internet Explorer, follow these steps:


 * 1) Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
 * 2) Double-click Add/Remove Programs.
 * 3) In the list of installed programs, click Internet Explorer.
 * 4) Click Add/Remove to remove Internet Explorer.
 * 5) Reinstall Internet Explorer.