Programs not running in WinXPpro

[techwanabe]

My other computer (AMD machine in siggy) froze up last night. I turned it on this morning and tried clicking on some programs to run, like Internet Explorer, and a Game I have on the computer. Nothing happens. Task Manager shows no tasks either.

Any idea why some applications won't run? I can get the task manager window to open so technically that is a program running but Internet Explorer won't open nor a game I have installed.

Help.

 

[Sam25]

Does it happen in safe mode as well? I Googled and found that if you try 'System Restore' it might help.

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: Sam25
Does it happen in safe mode as well? I Googled and found that if you try 'System Restore' it might help.

Good idea. I did try to run system restore under normal mode but the System Restore window opens and just hangs with the hourglass, all white inside. I'll try safe mode next.

Some basic software in windows must be hosed as to not let basic services run.

Update:

Booting into safe mode allowed System Restore to function. I've chosen a date 3 days ago and will see how it goes.

Second Update:

Rebooted after system restore and windows is hanging with system restore screen half fromed. Might be hosed.

 

[Sam25]

Damn! I thought System Restore would help but looks like not. Are you sure your system was not infected or something, since all the programs stopped opening. Guess the last option would be a fresh re-install of XP.

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: Sam25
Damn! I thought System Restore would help but looks like not. Are you sure your system was not infected or something, since all the programs stopped opening. Guess the last option would be a fresh re-install of XP.

I'm saving off my daughters Itunes and files just incase its a fresh install necessary.

 

[Sam25]

Yes, that's the best thing to do...get all the back-ups of necessary and important files done. Any luck on getting the system working again?

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: Sam25
Yes, that's the best thing to do...get all the back-ups of necessary and important files done. Any luck on getting the system working again?

Update. I tried doing a Windows Install "repair" where using the XP install disk but choose install and then repair. It's supposed to copy the system files back without changing the installed software or files. It went along fine until it got to the point it started asking for drivers from the motherboard disk etc etc. I couldn't get it to find all the drivers and had to tell it to go on without. Then it gave errors trying to copy a bunch of dll's from the XP install disk and at that point I gave up. After rebooting it seemed to boot to windows so I tried running Windows Update hoping that it would replace the files (as one guide said it would) but Window Update wouldn't work. As a last resort I scanned to see if there was a virus preventing things from working but none was detected.

In the end I reformated the hard drive and did a fresh install and everything worked perfectly. Files copied fine off the install disk and updated normally. I suspect either I had some kind of malware, undetected virus or corrupted system file - but I'll never know for sure.

 

[mpilchfamily]

How are your temps. Could be the system is just locking up due to hardware or temp issues.

 

[KGB]

Check tha ePox MB for bulging caps.

Those boards were notorious for that.