Strange WinXP Behaviour

[Guest]

Hello folks
I have a very odd problem with a friend's computer. When I try to access the
Control Panel, I'll only get so far and it stops responding.
I can click START>CONTROL PANEL>PERFORMANCE AND MAINTENANCE and all works as
expected but none of the categories in that window are available. The mouse
cursor does not change to the 'hand' icon when I hover it over (for example)
"See Basic Information about your computer" or "System" etc. And if I just go
ahead and click on any of these links anyway, the message appears in the
status bar: Not Responding.
Eventually I have to call up Task Manager to end the process.
I've never encountered this before....on that computer or anywhere else.
The 'show hidden files & folders' option is activated.

Any ideas ?

The system is an Intel Celeron 1.8 GHz
80GB HDD with 64GB free
Service Pack 2 installed
All the latest updates installed
XP Home

 

[Unk]

Hello folks
I have a very odd problem with a friend's computer. When I try to access the
Control Panel, I'll only get so far and it stops responding.
I can click START>CONTROL PANEL>PERFORMANCE AND MAINTENANCE and all works as
expected but none of the categories in that window are available. The mouse
cursor does not change to the 'hand' icon when I hover it over (for example)
"See Basic Information about your computer" or "System" etc. And if I just go
ahead and click on any of these links anyway, the message appears in the
status bar: Not Responding.
Eventually I have to call up Task Manager to end the process.
I've never encountered this before....on that computer or anywhere else.
The 'show hidden files & folders' option is activated.

Any ideas ?

The system is an Intel Celeron 1.8 GHz
80GB HDD with 64GB free
Service Pack 2 installed
All the latest updates installed
XP Home

How to Troubleshoot Control Panel Issues in Windows.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=299923

KNOWLEDGE BASE LINKS
http://www.aumha.org/kbconpan.php

Control Panel, Help, and System Restore Are Empty or Partially Empty.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=309663

Control Panel blank or frozen
Restore the file "Main.cpl" from the CD.