cannot move icons on desktop and cannot drag and drop

[Edwin Dicker]

Hi all,

I have a strange problem. since a couple of days I cannot move my icons on
my desktop anymore. i can pick it up but when i try to drop it on another
place it returns to its previous position. Auto-arrange is set off!!!
this also goes for files in windows explorer, i cannot drop them into
another directory.

Also, after starting windows, the desktop does not react on mouseclicks, the
taskbar doesnt come up from its hiding position etc. This will work again
after pressing CTL-ALT-DEL .

I'm using W2k SP4, and have no virus on it ( scanned with Mcafee DAtfiles up
to 4307 )

Does anyone have a suggestion ???

thanks in advance,
Edwin

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[Buz [MSFT]]

Since your problem appears to be localized to one particular computer, I
would start here:

First grab the msconfig.exe file for a Windows XP box and toss it in the
Winnt directory of this computer.

We want to implement the Cleanboot process using MSCONFIG to rule out 3rd
party software as the cause of this issue. MSCONFIG from XP can be used on a
Windows 2000 Pro or Server client.

Go to Start\Run type in Msconfig and press OK.
Go to the Startup tab.
Click on "Disable All"
Go to the Services Tab
Click on "Hide all Microsoft Services"
Uncheck the 3rd party services that are left
Press OK twice to reboot.

Once your computer is restarted see if the issue still occurs. if it still
does go to Msconfig and select Enable All on the startup tab.
If the issue does not occur go to the Startup tab and select items 4 at a
time or so with reboots in between to narrow down the exact item causing
your problem.

310353 How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310353

Buz Brodin
MCSE NT4 / Win2K
Microsoft Enterprise Domain Support

"Please do not send e-mail directly to this alias. This alias is for
newsgroup purposes only."

 

[Edwin Dicker]

Buz,

thanks for your reply, Unfortunately this did not work.
Every time windows started the desktop remains 'frozen' untill I press
CTL-ALT-DEL. Again, after that everything works fine again. I'll wait this
week for maybe another reply from someone and after that I guess it's
re-installing time ( I hate that )


thanks,
Edwin

 

[Buz [MSFT]]

I know of custom screensavers that just snapshot the desktop, what is your
screen saver set to?

In Add/Remove programs do you see any software that may add some sort of
security functionality such as this?

You may be able to get around having to reinstall by simply seeing if the
issue occurs in Safe mode.

Buz Brodin
MCSE NT4 / Win2K
Microsoft Enterprise Domain Support

Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

This posting is provided "as is" with no warranties and confers no rights.

Please do not send e-mail directly to this alias. This alias is for
newsgroup purposes only.

 

[Edwin Dicker]

Hi Buz,

I use no screen saver. When I start in safe mode without networking the
problem still exists. although I dont have to press ctl-alt-del to unlock
the desktop then, but I still cant drag and drop the icons.
It must be some security issue I guess since I have not installed any
software lately on that machine, except for microsoft autoupdate updates.

 

[Buz [MSFT]]

If it still occurs in safe mode I think you are right it looks like your
settings may have been restricted by an administrator.