Hi. My friends and I have experienced the same problem. We will have free program/application files and on download complete shows the installation icon which looks like a normal program installation icon. We have even copied same and installed the program on our computer at that time. On burning same installation program to CD it looks the same, no changes. Problem. Next day or so after an attempt is made to take program off of cd which looks normal and is copied to the computer. Things get busy and u have just the program icon which looks like a program icon when u turn it off. The next day u return only to find your program icon has changed either to a dos square program icon or just a windows emblem. Now when u click on what was once the installation icon, it is now a windows emblem and on attempt to open same, a box comes up asking u what program do u want to open the "file" in. I have had this happen to my personal explorer files and just changed the properties on same to either be netscape or explorer. **But the problem lies with the installation icons that are somehow converted to windows emblem files. Is there a solution to this, an explorer repair or can u change the properties of the windows emblem file that was once your installation icon. A solution to this problem would be very much appreciated as I do have discs that have these "windows" emblem only files that were on their own converted from installation/application program installation icons. Thanks!!!!

I'm confused.

Also confused. Please repost paragraph 3 with more info.

Ok. I will use Freezip as an example. When downloaded, had this for years, it gives u an installation icon which is a yellow box with another square emblem directly behind the open yellow box. This is the installation icon and when u inquire as to the properties of same, it will say it is an application. All of a sudden this icon decides to change w/o being installed or touched in any way to awhat looks like a regular file with a windows emblem on the front. It is no longer an installation icon, it would be the same as if this file had E on it for an explorer file but only has a windows emblem on it. This happens once in a while even o my explorer regular files and I have to change the properties by right clicking on it and clicking Explorer to open the program and then it converts these windows emblem files to explorer files which open in explorer. ***I can change plain files (data) in this manner, but the problem arises when my program installation files are converted to these window emblem files, how would u convert them back to program installation files and what causes this as I have many discs with free gams, etc., that are now these window emblem baring files only and are no longer program installation files. Thanks.

Thanx. It appears that your .exe files are changing to another format by itself. Do they change to a specific DOS extention? Suggest you do a current virus scan.

I keep and have the current dat files for Norton. Norton hasn't caught anything, nor has online house call. I will do a thorough scan overnight though. Thinking maybe its a script that slips by firewall and Norton the way it is written. Usually norton catches unusual scripts!!!!! Any other suggestions. Thanks.

Yes, also when they change they usually go to either the windows emblem containing files or will go to the square dos application icon!! Is there a way to reconvert them. Thanks!!!!!!!!