File Saving Problem

I've been unable to find a fix for this problem by searching MS,Google and these boards.So,now it's time to ask.

This concerns Notepad and Wordpad(all I have).
SYSTEM INFO
XP Pro SP2 with all critical updates.More info at the end.

My problem is with the "save in" dialog box drop down menu.
When I click the arrow the menu(showing multiple choices)drops down just fine,but it will not stay down(visible).It closes almost immediately,so I am unable to make a choice as to where I'd like to save a file.

The current choice is set on "Desktop ",and I can save a file there.I can change the choice using the buttons along the left side,but not with the drop down menu.So it goes like this:

Click file,choose save as,click the drop down arrow,the menu opens and then closes before I can even get my cursor there to make a choice.I have gotten the cursor over the menu list and blindly clicked on "whatever ",and that choice will be accepted and will save to that location.But I have no control with my choice because the menu disappears too quickly.

Last thing installed was the MS DST update.I couldn't find anything about that causing this kind of problem.

So far I've run system scans with:
ONBOARD
CounterSpy v2,AVG free,SophosRoorkit.

ONLINE
TrendMicro,Ewido,A-Squared,Panda ActiveScan,SpywareInfo.

All scans are clean except for recognizable cookies(dumped them anyway).

Hopefully someone here can help me solve this problem.

Thanks,Rich

MORE SYSTEM INFO
E6300 C2D,P965 Chipset MB,550 Watt Antec PSU,1024MB Corsair DDR2
7950GT GPU

 

Hello Rich,

You can eliminate the patch as a suspect - it should have an Add/Remove entry or use System Restore, because its a "critical ", the patch created a "before" SR point.

Regards - Charles

 

A workaround ... You can you click and browse through the folders that are listed, much like working in windows explorer except it's in a small box. Between that and using the arrows provided, next to the dropdown, you should be able to browse to the folder you wish to save these in.

 

Charles
Thanks for your reply.
The update was not the culprit.

I did discover the problem,though.
Turns out it was a small program called CoreTemp.
( http://www.thecoolest.zerobrains.com/CoreTemp/ )
I've had it installed for some time now,but never just let it run constantly before.

I've had it running for a couple days checking on some new filters I installed on my cooling fans.Didn't want a heat problem.

CoreTemp keeps a .log file,and I found out if you don't adjust the write setting it's logging almost constantly.Somehow that was causing my menu problem.

When I stopped the program my file saving problem went away.When I re-started CoreTemp it came back,so it's 100% reproducible.Had a 4MB log file when I finally figured it out. ;-)

Thanks for helping to focus my attention.
Rich

 

Hi amoeba,
Well that was quick. Guess there was no need to even suggest a workaround that could be used, until the root problem could be found. Interesting that the cause was a specific program running in the background. I would have thought it to be caused by other issues before this would have occured to me.

Thank you for sharing the solution that worked for you.

 

Hi goddez1
Thanks for your thoughts.
Your workaround wasn't up yet when I made my last post,or at least I didn't see it before I posted.

I was surprised by a single issue causing the problem,too.I had myself convinced there was some kind of registry problem,and that is dangerous because I don't know enough to be convinced as to the cause of any problem.

I discovered the fix while reducing running processes as a
troubleshooting exercise. Even an old blind boar roots up an acorn every once in a while. ;-)

Best,Rich