When I try to open a "paper clip", I get a message that says, "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Folder Options control panel."
I go to Folder Options but am lost as what to do. Please help.

A "paper clip" would be an attachment. Are you saying you cannot open any attachments or just some?

Do you know the source of the attachment? Do you know what the file type is?

Is this a new problem?

Thanks for your response. I can open most attachments, just some I can't..\
The source is from a good friend. I don't know the file type. This is an old problem.

Ask your friend what is the file type he is sending.

The error indicates that you do not have the appropriate software to open it.

For example it could be a Word file and you do not have Word etc.

Thanks again. I asked my friend what type file he is sending, and he does not know. I have Microsoft Word and Microsoft Works.

Right click the attachment (or have your friend do the same) then click Properties

What is the three letter extension after the period e.g. .pps

Here is one possibility:

http://ask-leo.com/what_does_this_fi...h_it_mean.html

And here are more:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...ng+this+action

And more:

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=ou...roups&ct=title

I asked my friend what type file he is sending, and he does not know.

This is actually starting to sound a little odd. Please be certain that it truly is your friend that is sending these files, and not a bad guy who has forged his address. If your friend really did send the file and attachment, fine. If not, delete it immediately. And also note that part of "practicing safe computing" is to scan all attachments for malware BEFORE opening them.

That said, your friend may not know what "type" file he is sending, but surely he should know the program used to make the file - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, WinZip, WinRar, etc. With that information, we can help you with a reader.