Windows start up-Media player defaulted to open applicatio..

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage (More info?)

The problem seems to be in startup, as soon as the desktop is displayed,
windows media player opens, trying to open application/programme files such
as Zonealarm etc. Of course it cannot.
I cannot open desktop or files in the normal way either, windows media
player opens, trying again to open them. I have to choose open as from the
drop down list and then untick the first box on the small box under the main
coputer user name.
I cannot access anything in the control panel either by opening it and
choosing say, add/remove, again, windows media player opens.
On the error message details it states - ID Error = 0xC00D1199, ID Condition
= 0x00000000 but this refers to media codecs, I am not trying to open media
files.

What should be trying to open these programmes/applications? Can I reset the
means to what opens these programmes/applications away from media player?

Any other issues that might cause this to happen?