[python-win32] os.startwith issue dealing with .tif (winxp)

[Tim Roberts]

geoff wrote:
> Hi Folks;
>
> I have an application that stores images in a database.
> When the images are extracted, we use the files extension and
> os.startwith("filename") to allows the OS to select the users
> desingated program to open the file.
>
> Sometimes ... this goes astray.  For some mysterious reason, WinXP's
> file type associates get removed, atleast for TIF files.
>   

TIFF files are not normally associated with a program on Windows XP.

> what I would like to do is that if os.startwith fails, try to open the
> file with a specific program.  In the case of image files, the Ms
> Picture and Fax Viewer.
>
> How do I find the default path to an installed program ?
> Do I need the GUID and then look for the registry key ??
>   

No, that doesn't work for applications, only for COM objects.

However, in this specific case, you are in luck.  The "Microsoft Picture
and FAX Viewer" happens to live inside of a system DLL, and that DLL
always lives in the Windows "system32" directory.  So, you can do this:
    rundll32.exe shimgvw.dll,ImageView_Fullscreen path\to\image\file.tiff

Whitespace is important; don't put any before or after that "comma".

-- 
Tim Roberts, timr at probo.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.