Control Panel won't open

On my Toshiba laptop, WIN XP SP2 I am unable to open my Control Panel via
Start/Control Panel..... it shows at the bottom on the Start Bar... but doesn't open or respond when I right click on the Control Panel Icon/bar.

I am able to get into it via Start/My Computer/Change a Setting but have previously been able to get to it the other way.

Any one any suggestions ? Thanks

 

You don't need to "right click" ... simply left-click it?

 

I do know that - guess I didn't explain it properly..... Left clicking does nothing, Right clicking gives me options but the pc doesn't respond to any - except close.

 

No Error message and yes I can open the individual applications via run and I can open Control Panel via Start/My Computer/change a setting....

 

reknaw--Perhaps check whether you have any corrupted Windows files.
Start|Run|type sfc /scannow|OK. Have your WinXP CD ready since you may be asked to insert it into your CD-ROM drive.
P.S. I am curious about
1) "Start/My Computer/change a setting...." Where is "change a setting "?
2) " it shows at the bottom on the Start Bar ". Start Bar? My Control Panel icon is in the right panel when I click Start.

 

1)Start/My Computer/Change a Setting.... is the third one down on the left side. (Under System Tasks) 1. View System Info. 2. Add or Remove programs 3. Change a setting.

2) Sorry, when I click Start/Control the Control Button shows up on the bottom bar next to the Start Button..... but the control panel won't open regardless of what I try with it.

Hope that explains it better. I'll check out your suggestion later as I left the laptop at work today.

Cheers,

 

check your start menu,is it the classic start menu?

right click on the taskbar---properties---start menu.now you will see start menu and classic start menu.

if u select the first one,left click start and left click control panel u will see the application list,but u won't see the control panel window ;u can run the applications there such as Accessibility Options,Add Hardware etc.

(however on my pc,i can open the control panel window by right clicking control panel and selecting open or explore )

when I select the classic start menu,click start--setting,then click control panel ,it can run well and i can see the control panel window.

btw,Start Button > Run,then input control,then press enter ,control panel can also run.