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Apparently...you previously installed Windows
Live Photo Gallery and subsequently uninstalled it?

I suspect you need to reset your file associations.

Maybe the following info will offer some ideas:

Have a look at this article:

(307859) HOW TO: Change File Associations
in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307859

More info:

Try this...open an image folder and right click one
of your image files...from the menu, select...Open
With / Choose Program.

Make your choice from the list or Browse to the
correct program if it is not in the list.

If you want the default...choose..."Windows
Picture and Fax viewer"

Once you make your selection...be sure to check
the box that says: "Always use the selected program
to open this kind of file". (you will need to do this
for each format....jpg, .tif, .gif...etc.)

Also...you can right click an image and choose
Properties / Change Button...choose the program
you wish to use and click...OK / Apply / OK.

Also...in WinXP, you can go to...My Computer /
Tools / Folder Options / File Types tab...

And the following link may be useful:

Repair image file type associations in Windows XP
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/imgassofix.htm