Certain system files won't open

[Twinbee]

Hi all,

System files won't open. I double click and absolutely nothing happens. I have searched Google high and low, but have found nothing to help solve the problem, so I would be very grateful if you could help me out.

Actually, I say "System" files, but I mean certain files in the 'WINDOWS' and/or 'Documents and Settings' folders. Specifically, (most) stuff in the Control Panel folder. For example, 'Accessibility Options', 'Add Hardware', 'Add or Remove Programs', 'Display' etc. etc. However,
'Administrative Tools', 'Folder Options', and 'Fonts' (which are also in the Control Panel folder), open up fine - presumably because they're 'pseudo folders'.

Every program in the 'Program Files' folder seems to load fine, including practically all icons I have on my desktop. It's just the stuff in the Control Panel, and other things like the "Help and Support" option in the Start menu. Plus I can't select the 'Properties' option when I press right mouse button on the desktop (to get to change the WinXP theme for example), but I can select 'Properties' on the task bar (which gets me to the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties window).

I could try and hazard a guess at what caused it, but it's tricky to tell really. I know that it was after a reboot. I hadn't installed any programs. However, I did have a little bother with a USB device (ADSL modem) that was connected, so I tried to use the "Add Hardware" program to recognise it again. What happened was, the program hanged and just kept saying "searching for hardware..." for about 20 minutes (usually, it takes about 2 minutes). So I decided to reboot. That's when all the trouble began.

I tried the WinXP 'System Restore' and 'Safe Mode' reboot to no avail. I also tried other things, like making a shortcut to one of the files, and double clicking that, but no luck there. I also tried disconnecting the USB modem, rebooting, and still no luck. Could any of you offer any help, or at least a clue which might lead to a solution?

My PC is a Pentium M 1300Mhz laptop, with 512MB RAM and CDRW/DVD drive running Windows XP home edition. I have just the standard Windows XP firewall running when on the internet.

[polobunny]

Have you any program to disable popups? Maybe theyre closing the window each time it opens. Maybe your firewall also stopping windows (Zone Alarm got integrated popup stopper)