Clicking on the shortcut just gets me an hourglass....

[judgehopkins]

Clicking on the shortcut just gets me an hourglass but the program doesn't start.

(Windows XP Pro)

What should I do?

There are two guaranteed rules of success: First, never tell everything you know.

 

[tf1]

What programme?


Regards: tf1

 

[judgehopkins]

Sorry...I was not very clear.

On the XP Pro desktop, when I click on any shortcut (Word, Excel, Control Panel), nothing happens.

There are two guaranteed rules of success: First, never tell everything you know.

 

[tf1]

Are you clicking or double-clicking? What happens if you right-click and choose Open?


Regards: tf1

 

[judgehopkins]

Q: Are you clicking or double-clicking?

A: Nothing happens either way.


Q: What happens if you right-click and choose Open?

A: Nothing happens.



For you computer gurus: Do NOT say this to your customers --

"It shouldn't do that....I think we need to reinstall Windows."

There are two guaranteed rules of success: First, never tell everything you know.

 

[tf1]

If you open an application through the Start menu, does the mouse work correctly in the applcation (such as Word or IE)? Is it only the desktop that is disabled?

Have you added any new applications or utilities prior to this starting?


Regards: tf1

 

[judgehopkins]

I have not added any new programs.

However, the computer is linked to a server where Microsoft (without my permission) downloaded IE 7, which, as you know, is responsible for a host of problems.

Also, on the desktop, if I right click on properties and go to display and open the help file, it stays onscreen for a couple of seconds and then closes by itself.

What could cause that?


Q: If you open an application through the Start menu, does the mouse work correctly in the applcation (such as Word or IE)?

A: The programs won't open through the start menu.


Q: Is it only the desktop that is disabled?

A: I am not sure what you are asking, but I can't get any programs started.


Q: Have you added any new applications or utilities prior to this starting?

A: Except for the Microsoft intrusion, no.

There are two guaranteed rules of success: First, never tell everything you know.

 

[tf1]

Ah! So it is not just the desktop: the whole PC is crippled.

My guess is that the Validation tool thinks you have an unauthorised copy of Windows. All support calls for update bugs are free of charge: I suggest thast you call Microsoft and log the problem.

Usually, I would suggest rolling back to the previous Restore point, but that seems an unlikely option at the moment.

You could also post this to the Microsoft Windows Group as this isn't an Office problem. There are far more Windows-savvy helpers in that group.



Regards: tf1

 

[judgehopkins]

Thanks to y'all who spent the time to answer!


(This is a great site....)

There are two guaranteed rules of success: First, never tell everything you know.

 

[tf1]

I am told that there is a conflict between Flash and the latest Windows security patch, but \i don't have all the details.


Regards: tf1

 

[judgehopkins]

IE 7 has caused us numerous crashes.

It installs on the computers even when we don't want it and once it is there, you can't get rid of it.

There are two guaranteed rules of success: First, never tell everything you know.