I am guessing you actually meant php not phb?

you should just be able to rename the extension on them to .jpg and have them open, try it on one file and see if that works just change .php to .jpg. what did you do to cause that to happen? php files are actually text files often times when you accidently save a webpage instead of just the picture that you want on the webpage you end up with a .php file, so when saving a picture from any webpage always right click directly on the picture itself and choose save image as and it should save it with an image file type.

there are a lot of free online conversion programs you can use that will change them for you, one I use is
Zamzar.com - Free online file conversion

if you have many you would want to do it with a batch converter.

here is another online converter
Convert File(s)

The files are a "phb" not php. I'm sure he originally saved the pics in this album folder that was part of the software program to upload from his camera. But even before he bought his new computer and transfered the pics to it, they had already changed to a phb in the old one, and he was unable to open them anymore.

We were told to try changing the name on the pic from phb to jpeg to see if that would work....But it didn't. So still looking for answers.

I did a real quick search last night as I too hadn't heard of .phb. For the short time I looked around it appeared the format was an old manufacture dedicated one. I didn't have much time to get into it. I saw a product by Arcsoft (?) that might be able to help. Again I didn't get into it.

I also checked my Irfanview. It does not support .phb.

DA

It seems that .phb graphics files are related to an ArcSoft product. Given that you say this happened a while ago it's quite possible the software is no longer available but it might be worth giving them a call.

Here is a link that might be useful: ArcSoft

Adding to DA's comment -- I too found the Arcsoft site which used/uses .phb files that may be album files. Here's a quote from Arcsoft: PHB files are proprietary album files used by some of our programs, namely PhotoBase. Albums do not store your images. They serve as links to files stored on your computer or removable drive. If you delete the original file, the thumbnail in the album basically becomes a dead link. For example, if you have files on a floppy disk and create an album, you'll always need to have that floppy in the drive whenever you want to view the full images. Likewise, if you have a digital camera that is read as a removable drive, you would need to have it connected if you create the album directly from the camera. The best thing to do is copy all of your images into a folder on your computer, *then* create the album referencing those files. Albums are useful because they let you preview and organize files on your system in a convenient fashion. It is also from albums that slide shows are made with some of our programs."
They still offer ($) software that may be able to translate your pics to jpeg or they have some free help. Some of their software can be downloaded for trials which might enable copying to jpeg.

Here is a link that might be useful: Arcsoft

ah well I learned something I too was not familiar with that file type either. However I do recall on one of my old HP pavilions it did have Arcsoft software on it. Don't think I ever used it though.
I see they offer a free trial of the software for 15 days maybe you could get that free trial and use it to convert your files then remove it.
what version of windows are you using? do you have arcsoft on the pc or did you at one time? you may have it on one of the dics that came with the pc originally or on the recovery discs??

You might want to check out this link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Converter

Thanks everyone, I think he has the old software in the basement somewhere [just got to find it] his old system was XP and still has his old machine kicking around. We will try to install the old software and see what happens.

Thanks again, we will be away for a bit, but will give it a try when we get back. I'll post the results then, so at least the info will be out there for other users.

Thank you for the consideration for reporting your outcome. You would be surprised how many members don't think of doing that. Knowing what worked and what didn't is part of the learning process for us all.

DA

Damccoy, your welcome. I have been reading posts here for at least 10 years now, and have learned a lot of information that has served me well through the years. And yes if more people posted what did work for them it would help us all.
Thanks again.