I would like to know how to set up Windows XP to open a certain file
type in the application it's associated with (this is for a piece of
scientific software called Expo32 - and the file type is *.lmd). The
problem is that when I double click an lmd file, it launches an
instance of Expo32, but the file itself isn't loaded into the
program.  Instead, a window pops up asking which user account within
Expo32 I would like to use, even if a prior instance of Expo32 is
already open.  I consequently have to go through the File->Open
sequence from within the software for each file I want to open.  What
I would prefer is that double clicking an lmd file *open* that file in
the program - either in a previously open instance or in a new one.

If I am understanding your question correctly, this may help.  If you
right click the .lmd file you talked about, and then click "Open
With".  You will then get a dialog box usually filled with the most
common programs in your system, usually listing the most appropriate
first.  Then locate the Expo program and highlight it by clicking on
it.  But don't click OK yet, make sure the check box of "Always use
the selected program to open this kind of file" is checked.  Then
click okay.  This is also helpful if you have music files the say open
in Real Media and you want them to automatically open in Windows Media
and so on.  Good Luck!

Gumby008, I've already got lmd files associated with Expo32, so that
when I double-click an lmd file, Expo32 launches.  The problem is that
instead of the file opening into the program, the program just
launches, and asks me which user account I'd like to log into.  Even
after I choose which user account I want to use, the program just
opens without any file loaded into it.  This happens even if I'm
already logged onto one of the user accounts and the program is
running.  Now, the only way I'm able to open an lmd file is to first
open the program and then go File->Open, and then select an lmd file. 
Very inconvenient!  Thanks for the suggestion, though.

the problem is that default argument for this program is not a file
you want to open. if you go into dos and type "expo32 /?" it might
help you by telling what arguments you can type. I dont know the
software BUT YOU MIGHT have to type  something like "expo32 -o
file.lmd" then you change you xp to add the "-o". or the programmers
migth not even of bothered to use any command line arguments  then it
would be very hard without using a program to record keystrokes.

if you post the output of "expo32 /?" then i might be able to give
more help than just guessing.

gr33nfr0g, thanks for looking at this.  When you say "type 'expo32
/?'" do you mean within dos I should type the full name of the
program's executable followed by '/?' ?  I did that (typed "expo32.exe
/?") but nothing happened except the program launched like usual. 
Does this mean I'd need to use a keystroke-recording program to get
the result I want?

Hello, and sorry for my poor Engligh.

Taking in consideration the situation youīre talking, I guess this
program donīt has the functionality of open files passed in
parameters.

Read itīs documentation and look for command-line parameters.

When gr33nfr0g says: 'type..', you type in DOS, but you begin the line
with a START command:

C:\>start expo32 /?

If appear a message saying 'Windows canīt find expo32...', then this
program is not in the path, then you type the entire path of the
executable. Something like:

C:\start "C:\Program Files\expo32\expo32.exe" /?

I didnīt have the software in here, so I canīt test it myself.

Gleyson Melo