XP icons in control panel are not opening

[millhouselives]

Hi,

 

I have a computer from a friend that has asked me to help him fix. I have run multiple spy scans and virus products on it and it is clean.

 

The problem is this: While viewing the icons in the "Control Panel", if you left double click on any one of them absolutley nothing occurs. No error message..zippo.

 

I also noticed that if you right click on the My Computer icon, and then left click on the menu option of "properties" nothing happens again. Instead of seeing the system properties window there is no response.

 

Other icons and/or shortcuts to applications do work as they should. For example Microsoft Office products all opened and work just fine. Some other third party applications work also such as iTunes applicaiton, etc.

 

I ran into this once a long long time ago and I think it had to do with some dll files getting messed up but I am not sure so asking for some help.

 

thanks,

Steve

[elsiegee40]

Probably not the answer you want, but often it is quicker to reinstall windows rather than spend ages trying to fix problems like this.

 

Backup his data , reformat the HDD and re-install

[Michael]

If you've scanned for viruses/spyware then I would agree with the above. It's backup data, format and re-install time.

[the_one_that_cant]

Or perhaps do a

 

Start > Run > sfc /scannow

With a OS cd handy.

 

 

Looks like some dll files could possibly be corrupt.

[millhouselives]

Ok, thanks for the replies so far. Yes you are right I do not want to do a backup/format/reinstall. I will spend some more time researching to see if I can find the answer.

 

I will try the scan now command, but need to locate O.S. cd first.

 

thanks again for everybody's input.