Why Can't I Run Programs?

[Guest]

I'm using a desktop with Windows XP Home Edition.
There are 4 users.
I can log onto my page and everything looks normal.
However, when I click on an icon to run a program, nothing happens.
Sometimes the hourglass shows, but the program never loads.
I'm only partially computer literate, so if you have a solution, please
explain it in detail.
Thank you so much,
Lenny

 

[Guest]

BTW, I am able to boot up in Safe Mode with some functionality.
Lenny

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Lenny,

First thing to try would be the .lnk (shortcut) and .exe (executable) fixes
found under File Association Fixes on www.dougknox.com (look in WinXP
Fixes).

If that fails to resolve it, then you likely have background interference.
See if the programs will start in Safe mode.

How to start in Safe mode:
http://www.rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#Safe mode

If so, then you need to clean the startup routine and isolate the program or
service causing the problem. This can help:

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP [Q310560]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310560

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

Rick,
I tried the .lnk and .exe fixes to no avail.
I assume they're just files that install themselves into the registry.
There was nothing for me to do except click on them.
Is there something else I'm missing?
Anyway, I then tried to use the msconfig utility.
I have no idea what to do with that.
Any other hints?
Thanks for your help so far.
Maybe I'll just use the computer in Safe Mode forever.
Lenny

Hi Lenny,

First thing to try would be the .lnk (shortcut) and .exe (executable) fixes
found under File Association Fixes on www.dougknox.com (look in WinXP
Fixes).

If that fails to resolve it, then you likely have background interference.
See if the programs will start in Safe mode.

How to start in Safe mode:
http://www.rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#Safe mode

If so, then you need to clean the startup routine and isolate the program or
service causing the problem. This can help:

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP [Q310560]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310560

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

I'm using a desktop with Windows XP Home Edition.
There are 4 users.
I can log onto my page and everything looks normal.
However, when I click on an icon to run a program, nothing happens.
Sometimes the hourglass shows, but the program never loads.
I'm only partially computer literate, so if you have a solution, please
explain it in detail.
Thank you so much,
Lenny

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Lenny,

With the msconfig tool, on the general tab start by putting it in selective
startup mode. Uncheck the box to load the startup items (bottom of the
list), then apply/ok and reboot. Can you open programs now?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

Rick,
I tried the .lnk and .exe fixes to no avail.
I assume they're just files that install themselves into the registry.
There was nothing for me to do except click on them.
Is there something else I'm missing?
Anyway, I then tried to use the msconfig utility.
I have no idea what to do with that.
Any other hints?
Thanks for your help so far.
Maybe I'll just use the computer in Safe Mode forever.
Lenny

Hi Lenny,

First thing to try would be the .lnk (shortcut) and .exe (executable)
fixes
found under File Association Fixes on www.dougknox.com (look in WinXP
Fixes).

If that fails to resolve it, then you likely have background
interference.
See if the programs will start in Safe mode.

How to start in Safe mode:
http://www.rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#Safe mode

If so, then you need to clean the startup routine and isolate the program
or
service causing the problem. This can help:

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP [Q310560]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310560

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

I'm using a desktop with Windows XP Home Edition.
There are 4 users.
I can log onto my page and everything looks normal.
However, when I click on an icon to run a program, nothing happens.
Sometimes the hourglass shows, but the program never loads.
I'm only partially computer literate, so if you have a solution, please
explain it in detail.
Thank you so much,
Lenny

 

[Guest]

Rick,
Figured it out.
A friend of mine, who works for Trend Micro, set me up with PC Cillin
(Anti-Virus and Spyware detector software) a month or so back.
Apparently, one of the auto updates was infected and it messed up my system.
Luckily, he had a fix from Trend, and set me up.
Thanks for your help Rick.
Lenny

Hi Lenny,

With the msconfig tool, on the general tab start by putting it in selective
startup mode. Uncheck the box to load the startup items (bottom of the
list), then apply/ok and reboot. Can you open programs now?

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

Rick,
I tried the .lnk and .exe fixes to no avail.
I assume they're just files that install themselves into the registry.
There was nothing for me to do except click on them.
Is there something else I'm missing?
Anyway, I then tried to use the msconfig utility.
I have no idea what to do with that.
Any other hints?
Thanks for your help so far.
Maybe I'll just use the computer in Safe Mode forever.
Lenny

Hi Lenny,

First thing to try would be the .lnk (shortcut) and .exe (executable)
fixes
found under File Association Fixes on www.dougknox.com (look in WinXP
Fixes).

If that fails to resolve it, then you likely have background
interference.
See if the programs will start in Safe mode.

How to start in Safe mode:
http://www.rickrogers.org/fixes.htm#Safe mode

If so, then you need to clean the startup routine and isolate the program
or
service causing the problem. This can help:

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP [Q310560]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310560

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

I'm using a desktop with Windows XP Home Edition.
There are 4 users.
I can log onto my page and everything looks normal.
However, when I click on an icon to run a program, nothing happens.
Sometimes the hourglass shows, but the program never loads.
I'm only partially computer literate, so if you have a solution, please
explain it in detail.
Thank you so much,
Lenny