help with image files

This has to do with file associations. Your images are not changing they are still gif and jpg it's just that a Stardock program is associated with those files. If you want to change it open the program you wish to be associated with them and check in the Tools > Options menu to see if it allows you to set it as the "default" for those files. Alternately you can right-click on a jpg file and choose "properties" and on the general tab click "Change" under type of file.

Tried both solutions, but no satisfaction. Have you any idea of which stardock programs would do this and how to turn it off?

I am not aware of a Stardock program that does this, someone hopefully will come along that does, been using ObjectDesktop for years & never had this issue.

Another option would be to open the folder, select the image, righclick & select open with, browsing for other program if it is not on that list, this list may also hold the clue as to which program is holding your images hostage

I use a free program called XnView to view all of my images & icons. The options are amazing and available for each image by simply rightclicking. I can also eliminate the standard thumbnails, select high quality images then choose image size via a scale. Also in the detail view is included more info including # of bits, DPI & color model, ie if it is RGB etc. And it uses jpeg lossless transformations & does batch conversions as well as set as wallpaper. It also supports over 400 graphic formats. There are also extensive plugins available at the forums, including the ability to read flash & html found under extra plugins...these need to be put in the plugins folder

WWW Link

I am curious as to which Stardock program is doing this.

It's My Secret

It has to be ObjectMedia. There should be an option to not have those files be associated with that program. If not just uninstall it. If you use it uninstall then reinstall, when prompted what media files to associate with that program, don't choose thoses.

Note: This has not been tested.

I have to agree with Krash........Objectedit is probably the culprit. Remember to reboot after you uninstall and before you reinstall so your associations will reset.

Thanks KiloKrash & Lantec

It's My Secret

Thanks but I guess I'm just stuck. I have tried all your solutions and still have the problem of many of my files tagged as stardock media images. What I was trying to do was use an animated gif of TKings art as a wallpaper and supposedly all I have to do is right click and set as wallpaper, I get the image, not the animation. Maybe some day I will find the answer.

What OS?
Vista?  Ultimate?
Dreamscape installed?

I don't know that XP or earlier supports animated wallpaper.

What is the problem?  Mis-associated file types or unable to play animated wallpaper?

Zubaz is confused

That would drive me bonkers... Then I would uninstall Objectedit via Stardock Central.. Reboot... Install XnView ...open XnView ..Tools ...Options....System integration...associations...select the file types you want ie jpg gif etc. hit ok and close & reopen XnView ....and choose the folder your images are in to confirm that you can see them.

Now you can go back to Stardock Central and reinstall Object edit if you so choose. If you do you must make sure that you Do not allow it to associate any file types with it. Make sure to open the program after installing and make sure to uncheck any file associations it may have automatically made.

If you choose to edit any images in say object edit & or a graphics program...go into XnView Tools ..Open With and select ..add program...then choose the program you wish to edit the image in. You can add a few different programs this way. This way you still keep XnView as the default viewer for all of your images.

Really hope that helps I really hate programs taking over my files and learned how to prevent it.

It's My Secret

I am using xp. And was informed that you could use an animated gif as wallpaper. I might be wrong. Both are problems. When I download a jpeg, it is automatically labled stardock media image. I was trying to use some in DX and even labled stardock would not read them, they needed to be jpeg.

Just to clarify, I was mentioning ObjectMedia not ObjectEdit. If have ObjectMedia installed, but missread it as ObjectEdit then I would open the preferences of ObjectMedia and see if you're problem lies there.

ObjectEdit is just a text editor with some bells and whistles that Stardock threw in. It has no ties to image files.

Sorry, KiloKrash when I looked backup to check which program, I only looked at Lantec's reply

Just an additional note to Jack Spencer, none of what I suggest is about using Gif animation as wallpaper, I know it can be done, just not how, wanted to take care of the 1 issue here first. You will need to bring that up again for someone to answer.

It's My Secret

Object Media. If you have it, run it - right click the tray icon - options - associations tab - uncheck everything you don't want to have automatically associated with objectmedia (unchecking all will suffice).

Howeve, I just associated bmps with Object Media - they all still show as .bmp - I'm not seeing stardock image file anywhere. same with jpg

If you right click on one and choose 'open with' what's the first program listed?



animated gif and xp = right click on the .gif - set as background - it's working for me

I meant Objectmedia.....brainfart

Mr. Spencer, What Stardock Programs DO you have installed?

I have uninstalled everything but windowblinds, DX, and cursorxp. I have been thinking on the problem, and it could be that the images have been changed by one of the programs that I uninstalled and I may need to download the image again. I tried right clicking object media and unchecking all the boxes.It did not work. Sorry to twist your brains so much, but appreciate the work.

If you've uninstalled the ObjectMedia then try 1 of these 2 methods.

ONE----------------------
1 Open Windows Explorer and click "Tools"

2 Then Click "Folder Options"

3 Click on the "File Types" tab at the top

4 scroll through the list and find GIF (or JPG or PNG etc.) click on it
then click on the "Change....." button

5 Another dialog will come up that has a list under "Recommended Programs:"
On that list choose "Windows Picture and Faxviewer"

6 Below the list is a checkbox that says "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" make sure it IS checked.

7 click "OK" (return to step 4 for the next file type)

8 click "OK" again

9 shutdown your computer

10 restart your computer


TWO-------------------
1 Open Windows Explorer

2 locate an image file.

3 Right(not left) click on the file and on the Menu choose "Properties"

4 on the dialog box that comes up click on the "Change...." button

5 Another dialog will come up that has a list under "Recommended Programs:"
On that list choose "Windows Picture and Faxviewer"

6 Below the list is a checkbox that says "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" make sure it IS checked.

7 click "OK" (return to step 3 for the next file type)

8 click "OK" again

9 shutdown your computer

10 restart your computer