Cont-Alt-Del, regedit, and msconfig crash

[Guest]

Hi: My problem is the same as many, when I hit cont-alt-del or try to run
regedit or msconfig, the associated windows just flash on my screen and then
disappear. I know this is often the sign of a virus, but I spent 10 hours
yesterday on the phone with Microsoft and they convinced themselves that no
virus is present, and at that point shuffled me off to the Windows support
group believing something was corrupted in Windows. Because Windows was
factory installed on my Dell, I ended up with Dell not Microsoft for Windows
repair. Their answer is to wipe the hard drive and do a complete re-install.
I believe there must be an intermediate step that could repair Windows, with
out wiping out or requiring me to save all my data. Any suggestions, before
I bite the bullet and do a total re-install?

 

[MGGP]

Try this

Tools Flash and Disappear:
Task Manager, MSCONFIG, or REGEDIT disappear while opening
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/ToolsQuit.htm

Courtesy of MVP Ramesh

 

[S.Sengupta]

Scan your system with latest virus definitioned antivirus.
Free online scan:-
http://housecall-beta.trendmicro.com/en/start_corp.asp

see:-
'Why does Task Manager, MSCONFIG, or REGEDIT disappear while opening?'
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/ToolsQuit.htm

regards,
ssg MS-MVP