Resolved Can't get any programs to open. (Currently in Safe Mode)

Hey all,

I cannot get any of my programs to run at all. If I double click on, say, WMP, it will open up, then as I go to perform any action like opening a file, it will close on its own. Most of my other programs will do this as well(or they just won't open at all), save for my BitDefender AV and Malwarebytes'. I just noticed this a couple days ago since I haven't been online with my pc for awhile. And yes, I have run a scan from the AV and Malwarebytes'. Only the latter found a couple of suspicious files that I then deleted to see if that was the cause. Suffice it say, it didn't help!

Could this have something to do with the registry? I'm currently only able to go online when running in Safe Mode. Also, I'm running XP SP3 up to date alongside Windows Firewall and the aforementioned AV. I have also tried Dial a Fix and HostsXpert and still to no avail. About to do YET ANOTHER factory restore, unless I can find some other answers.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

You may be in for a repair install but you can try some things first and hope for the best.

Use some start up manager or msconfig and disable all unnecessary programs that start in normal mode. I use one called Quick Startup that is freeware. Since you don't have the problem in Safe Mode, there is a chance that something is starting in normal mode that isn't being sociable.

Another thing to consider is updating your Display Adapters to be sure you have the latest ones and they are not corrupt.

That's all I can think of off hand. Try those and post back. Maybe someone will chime in with more ideas.

 

SOLVED, sort of...

Okay, so I ended up having to do a factory restore, AGAIN. It obviosly cured the problem, so I installed SP2 straightaway using one of the downloads provided on this forum. Never found out what the problem was even after using msconfig. So for now, I am not going to install SP3. Not saying that was the culprit but I'm hesitant to trust it now since most of my problems have come after installing SP3. So I've updated SP2 to date.

Now that's out of the way, and not to change the subject drastically, but I was considering upgrading my IE6 to IE8. Is it better to uninstall IE6 (if at all possible) before installing/upgrading to IE8? Or will installing over IE6 be ok? I was just curious since 6 is not in the Add/Remove Programs list. Thx and apologies for late reply.

(One of these days I'll get some money around to buy a new PC...)

 

Alright, thanks! Seems I'll do this for WMP as well.