Windows don't stay open

[Conor]

When I open a window, say, Task Manager it flashes onto
the desktop but disappears after a second or two, before
i can use it. The same occurs if i try to open a box from
Start, Run.
Thanks for any help

 

[Chris Lanier]

Try this..

w32.spybot worm disables NAV, Msconfig, Regedit and Task Manager:
http://www.bitdefender.com/bd/site/virusinfo.php?menu_id=1&v_id=114

Try this to:
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.spybot.worm.html

Rename regedit.exe to regedit.com then:

Download then Merge the edit on line 251 then delete all the files mentioned
in the above link.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

When I open a window, say, Task Manager it flashes onto
the desktop but disappears after a second or two, before
i can use it. The same occurs if i try to open a box from
Start, Run.

If regedit, and msconfig, do the same thing, this is a symptom of virus
infection (Klez, Yaha, and some others) .. they detect and kill
'threatening' (to them) tasks. Run your (updated) virus scanner, or use
one of the online scanning sites (www.trendmicro.com has one, as do most
other AV suppliers).