WMP/"Help&Support"/WinUpdate Non-Functioning

I have a number of things happening which make it difficult to know how to research. Here are the symptoms:

1) Windows Media Player will not run - click the program and get a flickering hour-glass, but nothing.

2) Same with clicking "Help and Support" at the Start menu - nothing happens.

3) Tried to go to Windows Update and Office Update. At the windows website, the button that activates "Check For Microsoft Updates" is dead.

I have suspected ActiveX, IE7 corruption and have researched these. Considered uninstalling IE7, but wanted to check with the Forum first to see if I can get some more concrete help.

I'm running XP pro SP2. Any help is appreciated.

 

Still no results

Thanks for your reply. I was able to apply the first two "fixes" (the third did not apply) trying to at least deal with the "Help" not working, but they did not help. Since all three of the symptoms I listed started showing up about the same time, I've wondered whether there is a common problem causing all three - the links starting things are dead. Another, hopefully helpful clarification, the three "symptoms" I listed - the programs don't start. It's not that they start and don't work.

Your help is appreciated.