Problem saving images with WinXP

[mf1981]

I just purchased a new HP computer with Windows XP
installed on it. My problem is, at some point, my
computer automatically changes the format on the
'save as' setting when attempting to save any picture
online to Bitmap. It doesn't matter whether the original
file image that I am trying to save is an original
JPEG formatted picture. It will only give me two options,
to either save the picture as a Bitmap or Art file. Then
when I go to view the picture file I just saved, it tells
me that the picture cannot be viewed because it is not
a valid JPEG file. Is there an option with WindowsXP,
to change the setting so that if the file I am trying to
save is JPEG, it will save it as a JPEG? I have tried
everything to correct this problem. I have already
tried emptying out my temp internet files, cache,
and cookies. That did nothing to correct the problem.
Is there anyway to correct this problem that I am
experiencing?

 

[AWS]

I've had this happen. It corrected itself. I remember it happening after I installed WinRar. I think it messed up the mime types.
Might want to check in internet options to make sure bitmaps are properly associated with the image viewer.

 

[mf1981]

I've checked in my internet options to see that I have bitmaps properly associated with the image viewer. And
I installed Paintshop Pro 7, so, I have it so that my picture
files, whether it be jpegs, jpgs, bitmaps, gifs, etc., all open with that. Everything looks ok there, so I don't know what else to look for to correct this problem.