//for each of the items see if it's an extension or '*'
  for forCount := 1 to cmbExtensions.Items.Count-1
  do
  begin
    //if the begginning of the name is not '.' then delete
    firstChar := cmbExtensions.Items[forCount];
    firstChar := midStr(firstChar, 1, 1);
    //showmessage(firstChar);
    if (firstChar <> '.')
    then
    begin
     //showmessage('not right');
     //break;
     //showmessage(firstChar);
     //showmessage(cmbExtensions.Items[forcount]);
     //showmessage(intToStr(forcount));
    cmbExtensions.Items.Delete(forcount);
    //showmessage(cmbExtensions.Items[forcount]);

    end;
  end;//for each of the items