can't open control panel, windows explorer, and my computer

[b8port]

I cannot open control panel, windows explorer, or my computer. Is this the
result of a virus or something else? I can start various >*.cpl programs
from command prompt.

 

[Jeff Richards]

What happens when you try? Is there a message? Is it the same for each
one, or does it vary? What is the procedure you are using to attempt to
access these functions?
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"b8port" <b8port@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:82822639-3086-44D1-8FFF-78F2C2881F45@microsoft.com...
>I cannot open control panel, windows explorer, or my computer. Is this the
> result of a virus or something else? I can start various >*.cpl programs
> from command prompt.

 

[b8port]

I guess I should have explained the problem better. When I click on either
program from the start menu, there is no error message, the system does not
hang up, and the hour glass on the pointer does not pop-up. I have an icon
on the desktop for windows explorer and it acts the same. It's as if I was
click in the middle of the desk top. Nothing happens

"Jeff Richards" wrote:

> What happens when you try? Is there a message? Is it the same for each
> one, or does it vary? What is the procedure you are using to attempt to
> access these functions?
> --
> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> "b8port" <b8port@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:82822639-3086-44D1-8FFF-78F2C2881F45@microsoft.com...
> >I cannot open control panel, windows explorer, or my computer. Is this the
> > result of a virus or something else? I can start various >*.cpl programs
> > from command prompt.
>
>
>

 

[Franc Zabkar]

On Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:05:02 -0800, b8port
<b8port@discussions.microsoft.com> put finger to keyboard and
composed:

>I guess I should have explained the problem better. When I click on either
>program from the start menu, there is no error message, the system does not
>hang up, and the hour glass on the pointer does not pop-up. I have an icon
>on the desktop for windows explorer and it acts the same. It's as if I was
>click in the middle of the desk top. Nothing happens

Go to Start -> Run and type ...

control.exe

.... or ...

explorer.exe

You could also r-click the relevant icon or program and select
Properties. What do you see in the Target box?

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

 

[Jeff Richards]

Check that the shortcut for the control panel menu item and desktop icon is
pointing to the correct location for what you are trying to run. Then try
to run each application from the Start / Run menu option, using the same (or
similar) startup command as the shortcut or menu.

For Control Panel it should be C:\Windows\Control.EXE. For explorer it would
be something like explorer c:\. Can you access My Computer from the Address
bar of an Explorer window?

Explorer must be running already or your wouldn't see the desktop, so it
seems likely it's something in the shortcuts rather than the applications.
What changed at about the time this problem first started?

Check that your virus definitions are up to date and do a thorough scan.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"b8port" <b8port@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:ABD58819-B6E3-443D-99FD-D97C3B618C56@microsoft.com...
>I guess I should have explained the problem better. When I click on either
> program from the start menu, there is no error message, the system does
> not
> hang up, and the hour glass on the pointer does not pop-up. I have an
> icon
> on the desktop for windows explorer and it acts the same. It's as if I
> was
> click in the middle of the desk top. Nothing happens
>
> "Jeff Richards" wrote:
>
>> What happens when you try? Is there a message? Is it the same for each
>> one, or does it vary? What is the procedure you are using to attempt to
>> access these functions?
>> --
>> Jeff Richards
>> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
>> "b8port" <b8port@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:82822639-3086-44D1-8FFF-78F2C2881F45@microsoft.com...
>> >I cannot open control panel, windows explorer, or my computer. Is this
>> >the
>> > result of a virus or something else? I can start various >*.cpl
>> > programs
>> > from command prompt.
>>
>>
>>