Clicking desktop URL shortcut causes error message (FireFox 0.9.3)

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I just made Firefox my default browser, Win 98SE. When I doubleclick a URL desktop shortcut, I get a message saying “Cannot find the file ‘C:WindowsDesktopName of website.url’. Make sure the path and filename are correct and that all required libraries are available.” Firefox then opens the website anyhow (in a restored sized window, not maximized).

I have a feeling that I have a problem with the File Type actions (Start/Settings/FolderOptions/File Types) of one of the URL types or Internet Shortcut.
1. Does anyone have an idea how I can fix this?
2. If not, could someone post the path & description in the Internet Shortcut & one of the URL dialog boxes, including the DDE settings?

Thanks,

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Well, what I can show is for version 1.0 Preview on Windows XP, so your mileage may vary.

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Hi Jefferson:
Thanks for the picture. Mine is identical, except it has use DDE. My understanding is that that is only applicable if Firefox is already open when I click a shortcut. In any event, I get the same behavior with & without DDE enabled. I wonder if one of the other URL types affects this. Or the editing action for “Internet Shortcut” itself. This is what I have under Editing for Open under Internet Shortcut.

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(Edited by jscher2000 on 05-Oct-04 21:13. I didn’t read carefully enough the first time!)

In my copy of Windows XP, the file extension URL entry looks like your picture at a quick glance. So that one probably is not relevant.

Usually the only reason files can’t be found is if the ” marks are omitted around the parameter, but apparently you have those. I’m out of ideas.

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(Edited by jscher2000 on 05-Oct-04 21:13. I didn’t read carefully enough the first time!)

In my copy of Windows XP, the file extension URL entry looks like your picture at a quick glance. So that one probably is not relevant.

Usually the only reason files can’t be found is if the ” marks are omitted around the parameter, but apparently you have those. I’m out of ideas.

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Hi Jefferson:
Thanks for the picture. Mine is identical, except it has use DDE. My understanding is that that is only applicable if Firefox is already open when I click a shortcut. In any event, I get the same behavior with & without DDE enabled. I wonder if one of the other URL types affects this. Or the editing action for “Internet Shortcut” itself. This is what I have under Editing for Open under Internet Shortcut.

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Well, what I can show is for version 1.0 Preview on Windows XP, so your mileage may vary.

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Stupid question: but is that a shortcut made with IE, and do you get the same symptoms with (new – post default browser) shortcuts made with Firefox. (FWIW: I’m a heavy user of the Firefox Bookmarks Sidebar. There’s an awful lot more “room” there than on a desktop!)

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Well, it was made with IE, but I just made one from Firefox & tried it with the same result. I really think there is something amiss in either the File Types or the registry. I just don’t know where to look. For some reason, when I click on a desktop shortcut, some part of the system is looking for the file on the desktop & gives me the error message (& an annoying “ding”). There must be some difference between my setup & others.

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Perhaps we’re getting into Windows 98 territory here. Have you tried turning off Active Desktop (as I think it was called at that time)? HTH

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While I do have Active Desktop, I don’t view the desktop as a web page. I use the classic desktop. Is that what you mean?

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That is broadly what I meant – although I do recall that Active Desktop was “buggy” (even though I personally did not experience such problems). I don’t remember whether the Quick Launch Toolbar was available in Win98. If it is, does it cause the same problems? (There is the possible higher maintenance workaround of embedding the URL in your desktop wallpaper.) HTH

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Quick Launch gives the same problem. I’m going to try Chris’ reg file for changing the DDEexec. I’ll let you know if it works.

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Quick Launch gives the same problem. I’m going to try Chris’ reg file for changing the DDEexec. I’ll let you know if it works.

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That is broadly what I meant – although I do recall that Active Desktop was “buggy” (even though I personally did not experience such problems). I don’t remember whether the Quick Launch Toolbar was available in Win98. If it is, does it cause the same problems? (There is the possible higher maintenance workaround of embedding the URL in your desktop wallpaper.) HTH

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While I do have Active Desktop, I don’t view the desktop as a web page. I use the classic desktop. Is that what you mean?

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Perhaps we’re getting into Windows 98 territory here. Have you tried turning off Active Desktop (as I think it was called at that time)? HTH

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Well, it was made with IE, but I just made one from Firefox & tried it with the same result. I really think there is something amiss in either the File Types or the registry. I just don’t know where to look. For some reason, when I click on a desktop shortcut, some part of the system is looking for the file on the desktop & gives me the error message (& an annoying “ding”). There must be some difference between my setup & others.

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Stupid question: but is that a shortcut made with IE, and do you get the same symptoms with (new – post default browser) shortcuts made with Firefox. (FWIW: I’m a heavy user of the Firefox Bookmarks Sidebar. There’s an awful lot more “room” there than on a desktop!)

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I wonder if you’re experiencing the same problem I had with 0.9.2 and 0.9.3. The post 401489 has a link to a web article on Slashdot, and an attachment describing a problem I had.

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Thanks, Chris. I’m going to give it a try. I’ll let you know what happens.

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Thanks, Chris. I’m going to give it a try. I’ll let you know what happens.

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It worked!! I now can open a web page with Firefox by double clicking an Internet Shortcut, regardless of whether Firefox is already running. A big to everyone!!

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It worked!! I now can open a web page with Firefox by double clicking an Internet Shortcut, regardless of whether Firefox is already running. A big to everyone!!

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