windows xp start menu problem

windows xp - start menu

Admin note: I merged two closely related threads to avoid confusion.

I am unable to get a response from Start menu. Have Windows XP. I click on Control Panel, nothing happens, then I get a dr. watson error notice. Please help. (I am not particularly computer savvy so be specific in instructions.) Thanks.

 

What's the error? Quote the error please.

Are you greeted with this problem/error right from the startup/logon, or after using the computer for a period of time?

Have you recently installed or uninstalled something?

Been having other problems?

Does this only involve the startmenu and the control panel? For example, do your desktop or task bar shortcuts work?

 

I wanted to click on Control Panel from the Start menu. When I click on it, I get no response (I can activate Word and many other icons, but not all). Then after clicking, it seems I cannot do ANYTHING and have to try to restart the computer. The only way I can turn off or restart it is by pushing control/alt/del and dealing with the End Task questions. The message I resceive says dr. watson has encountered a problem and is sorry for the inconvenience... My internet service is working fine. There is a red shield with an x on it over on the bottom right-hand of my screen that sends out a message regarding malicious spyware. If I click on it, I get an ad for spyware removal. I don't know if this is legitimate or a come-on.
As far as removing programs, I uninstalled AIM because I didn't want the kids using it all the time. Unfortunately, you will probably have to ask me many questions to get to the root of this problem as I am not that knowledgeable about the workings of a computer.

 

Any help out there with this problem? Click on Control Panel in Start menu. I get the hour-glass, but then it turns back into an arrow. Then nothing can be done, and I have to try to turn the computer off or restart it. Must do the control/alt/delete thing as I am unable to click on ANYTHING at that point. Am also getting a Dr. Watson debugger message. Please offer some advice. Thanks.

 

You may have a corrupt control panel applet. If you don't already have TweakUI download and install it. Then open TweakUI and in the left pane click on control panel. Uncheck all of the applets and then see if the control panel will open (if it does, it'll be empty) . If it opens, then go back into TweakUI and recheck some of them. Then try the control panel again. It's simply a process of elimination. If it opens again, go back and recheck some more. Continue doing this until you find the one that's causing the problem. Once you find it you can leave it unchecked or you can delete the associated file all together. They're files that have a .cpl extension and they're located in your windows\system32 folder. If it's one that you need and you don't know how to fix it, post back and maybe we can help.