Cannot rename text files using anymore XP pro / RESOLVED

[HenryB]

Hi! Can anyone help with a problem I am having. I am running XP Pro on an Acer, Travelmate laptop. Everything has been running fine until 2 days ago when the pc stopped allowing me to change the name of text & word files using the rename facility. Example I right click on a text doc (notepad) then click rename on the context menu, type new name & I get the following dialogue box

"If you change a file name extension, the file may become unusable.Are you sure you want to change it?" Yes No.

If I do click yes it makes the file unusable.

I have tried everything. For some reason all my restore points had disappeared also? File checker, Scannow, CHKDSK etc etc all find no problems with my OS.

Any advice would be welcome otherwise I am going to have to restore my OS, & I really dont want to have to.

[GX44]

When you rename the file, are you putting in the .TXT or .DOC on at the end?

Sounds like you have XP set to show file extensions.

[HenryB]

Thats sorted the problem instantly. I feel like a prat now, but sometimes you just cant spot these things yourself & I dont know how that got turned on.

I'm just relieved the pc is working again.

Many thanks again

Henry

[GX44]

No need to feel like a prat... I have that option switched on and I constantly forget to put the file extension in when I'm renaming files 

Glad we could help

[ingkiller1]

To make XP hide the file extensions again go to Control Panel> Folder Options> View and without moving the slide bar at the right check the box at the bottom of the menu labeled "Hide extensions for known file types". That should hide the file extensions from you so you don't accidentally change them.

This is what it looks like: (Look at the pointer/arrow)

[GX44]

I have that option on by choice  ... I just forget I've got it on haha