Desktop icons not responding

[jd]

I have a Dell running Windows XP, only 18 months old.
Kids use it a lot on-line. Just recently certain icons
on the desktop don't respond, including IE, Control
Panel, My Computer. Also, can't gain access through
Start button or Explorer. Tried everything including
virus scan, system restore (which wouldn't respond) and
even reinstalled Windows XP, but problem persists. Other
icons still respond, such as Works. What can I do?

 

[Malke]

I have a Dell running Windows XP, only 18 months old.
Kids use it a lot on-line. Just recently certain icons
on the desktop don't respond, including IE, Control
Panel, My Computer. Also, can't gain access through
Start button or Explorer. Tried everything including
virus scan, system restore (which wouldn't respond) and
even reinstalled Windows XP, but problem persists. Other
icons still respond, such as Works. What can I do?

It is good that you scanned for viruses (and I assume that you have
updated virus definitions), but you should also scan for spyware.
Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy from
www.safer-networking.org and Ad-aware from www.lavasoftusa.com. Be sure
to update these programs before running them. These programs are free,
so run them both since they complement each other. It is best to run
antivirus and spyware removal tools in Safe Mode.

Malke