Task Manager won't start

[Bob]

I start task manager 3 different way get same result.
I see the little icon appearing for a very short time in
the bottom right corner then nothing. Icons dissapear and
task manager never starts.

 

[Neo Anderson]

Run \ cmd \ "sfc /?" Omit Quotes!! space between the c and the /

Read what it does. Pick an option.

 

[S.Sengupta]

Scan your system with latest virus definitioned antivirus.
see also:-
Troubleshooting the Task Manager
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_t.htm#tm

regards,
ssg MS-MVP
pronetworks.org

 

[Richie]

Have you treied pressing control Alt delete once and see
if it executes that way?

 

[Rock]

I start task manager 3 different way get same result.
I see the little icon appearing for a very short time in
the bottom right corner then nothing. Icons dissapear and
task manager never starts.

What happens when you go to start | run and type in either msconfig or
regedit and hit ok? Do they flash then disappear too? If so you are
infected with a worm. There are several that can cause this:

W32.Spybot.Worm
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.spybot.worm.html

W32.Klez.Worm
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]

W32.Yaha.Worm
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/[email protected]

Take the system off line and clean it thoroughly.