Nothing opens, but the programs are "running"

[Guest]

Everytime i open most programs, they "fake" open. For example, i click on
Internet Explorer, the pointer does the loading action, and then it never
opens. The same thing happens with all other programs like the media player,
for example. They all start loading (the mouse's picture changes), then the
computer just does nothing and the pointer returns to normal.

When i close down the computer, it needs to end all programs before it can
shut down. It then shows the "end task now or it will close automatically in
30 seconds" screen for all the internets that were "open."

Normally after restarting my computer, this problem would go away for a few
hours, but now nothing opens at all.

By the way, this only happens on my Account (i am the admin on the
computer). On all the "limited User" accounts, everything works fine.

Any ideas on what to do?

 

[Rock]

Everytime i open most programs, they "fake" open. For example, i click on
Internet Explorer, the pointer does the loading action, and then it never
opens. The same thing happens with all other programs like the media
player,
for example. They all start loading (the mouse's picture changes), then
the
computer just does nothing and the pointer returns to normal.

When i close down the computer, it needs to end all programs before it can
shut down. It then shows the "end task now or it will close automatically
in
30 seconds" screen for all the internets that were "open."

Normally after restarting my computer, this problem would go away for a
few
hours, but now nothing opens at all.

By the way, this only happens on my Account (i am the admin on the
computer). On all the "limited User" accounts, everything works fine.

Create a new account with Admin privileges. Do things work ok in this
account? If so copy the data and settings from the old Admin account to the
new one, then delete the old.

HOW TO Create and Configure User Accounts in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=279783

How to Copy a User Profile
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_logon.htm

Corrupt User Profile Especially
How to Copy User Data to a New User Profile
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811151

 

[Elmo]

Everytime I open most programs, they "fake" open. For example, I click on
Internet Explorer, the pointer does the loading action, and then it never
opens. The same thing happens with all other programs like the media player,
for example. They all start loading (the pointer changes), then the
computer just does nothing and the pointer returns to normal.

When I close down the computer, it needs to end all programs before it can
shut down. It then shows the "end task now or it will close automatically in
30 seconds" screen for all the programs that were "open."

Normally after restarting my computer, this problem would go away for a few
hours, but now nothing opens at all.

By the way, this only happens on my Account (I am the admin. on the
computer). On all the "limited User" accounts, everything works fine.

Any ideas on what to do?

After opening a program, press Alt/Tab and see if you can bring the
program into focus.

Line 240. Programs Aren't Minimized in the Taskbar
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Right-click the taskbar, click Cascade windows. This could help if the
windows are aligned off-screen.

Click Start, Run, type SFC /SCANNOW, click OK. If any files are damaged
or missing, they'll be replaced. You may need to reboot afterwards so
damaged files will be replaced.

Try one of these free online virus scans:

Use the Complete check option
http://www.pcpitstop.com/

Symantec
http://security.symantec.com/default.asp?productid=ssr&langid=ie&venid=sym

<url:http://security2.norton.com/us/home.asp?j=1&venid=sym&langid=us&plfid=20&pkj=IHBEXIBVEMBQAUWZKTK>
then click the Security check link.

http://housecall.antivirus.com/ free online virus scan

http://www.ewido.net/en/

 

[Rock]

Hey Rock,

Good idea, however, another thing that does not want to open is the
control
panel... I guess i can keep restarting until one time it gives me a few
minutes to open things before the problems resume. Then in that time
period,
i could use your suggestion. However I dont know if ill ever be able to
do
that. Maybe a system restore will give me that opportunity.

:
Create a new account with Admin privileges. Do things work ok in this

Login with the built in Administrator account. If XP Pro at the Welcome
Screen do ctrl-alt-del twice to bring up the login dialog box. Type in
Administrator as the login name and the password that was assigned to that
account when XP was installed.

If XP Home boot into safe mode. The Administrator account should appear on
the Welcome Screen. Assume the password is blank and just click on it.

Can you get to the user accounts applet from Start | Run | nusrmgr.cpl | Ok
?

 

[Guest]

I copied all my important stuff over to new administrator. Then, after
another system restore, things were working again for the moment and i did
some virus scans and checked the registries with the Windows installation
CD.. Its been working all day since, so hopefully the problem is solved.

Thanks for the help

 

[Rock]

I copied all my important stuff over to new administrator. Then, after
another system restore, things were working again for the moment and i did
some virus scans and checked the registries with the Windows installation
CD.. Its been working all day since, so hopefully the problem is solved.

Thanks for the help

You're welcome, Mike, good to hear it's fixed for you. Thanks for posting
back, and make sure you always have a full and complete backup of important
data.