StarMountainKid Posted April 24, 2015 #1 Share Posted April 24, 2015 My desktop icons don't work anymore by clicking on them. They only work by right-clicking on them and clicking on "open". My files open ok by clicking on them. Just wondering why this is. I'm running XP. Also, when I open Microsoft Word I get error messages. I click on "cancel" and "ok" on the error messages and then Word opens properly. Anybody know what this is about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
questionmark Posted April 24, 2015 #2 Share Posted April 24, 2015 First measure: run a system restore to a point when everything worked. It could be that something corrupted your file-type file. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orcseeker Posted April 24, 2015 #3 Share Posted April 24, 2015 What error codes are being returned by Microsoft word? When developing programs (with good programming conventions) the programmer creates error codes to certain exceptions and errors in the program. Providing these errors will be the key for people assisting to narrow down the problem. As for the openin files part. Open up any folder, click the "Tools" drop down list. Select "Folder Options" (should be on the bottom) and then select the "General" tab. There should be an option to select for "Double-click to open programs" or something of that varitation. Ensure that option is selected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarMountainKid Posted April 25, 2015 Author #4 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Thanks for your responses. I think I need to re-install Windows ($50 at the local computer shop). Restore didn't do the job, and there's no error code for Word, it just says an error occurred. It's an old computer, and I don't want to spend the money for a new one just now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Occult1 Posted April 25, 2015 #5 Share Posted April 25, 2015 (edited) Since it's Windows XP, I would say it's probably not worth the trouble searching for solutions hours on end. Maybe your installation got corrupted somehow, I think you would greatly benefit from a fresh install, and in the same time an upgrade to a (security-wise) supported version of Windows. What are your PC specs? If you have at least 1GB of RAM, I think Windows 7 could do the job for basic computing. If your hardware can't handle it, than in my opinion it's preferable to save your money, for you can get a brand new computer for 180-200$ these days. Sorry that I can't be of more help. Edited April 25, 2015 by samus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarMountainKid Posted April 25, 2015 Author #6 Share Posted April 25, 2015 Thanks, samus. As you say, probably best just to buy a newer computer. I'll trundle this one along for another month or so before I spend some money on something better. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orcseeker Posted April 28, 2015 #7 Share Posted April 28, 2015 Since it's Windows XP, I would say it's probably not worth the trouble searching for solutions hours on end. Maybe your installation got corrupted somehow, I think you would greatly benefit from a fresh install, and in the same time an upgrade to a (security-wise) supported version of Windows. What are your PC specs? If you have at least 1GB of RAM, I think Windows 7 could do the job for basic computing. If your hardware can't handle it, than in my opinion it's preferable to save your money, for you can get a brand new computer for 180-200$ these days. Sorry that I can't be of more help. I've installed windows 7 on a pentium 4 machine haha 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DefenceMinisterMishkin Posted April 28, 2015 #8 Share Posted April 28, 2015 This reminds me of a cool prank to play. Next time you have access to someone's computer, take a screen capture of their desktop. Next, set the screen capture you just took as their wallpaper. Now just delete all their desktop shortcuts/icons Sit back and watch as they try and work out why none of their shortcuts are working.. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owf Posted April 29, 2015 #9 Share Posted April 29, 2015 One other possibility: Same thing happened to me, it was a the mouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Occult1 Posted April 29, 2015 #10 Share Posted April 29, 2015 (edited) One other possibility: Same thing happened to me, it was a the mouse. That still wouldn't explain the error messages he's getting though. I've installed windows 7 on a pentium 4 machine haha Same here. Though I've installed Linux Lubuntu on it later on as I it was a tad too slow, but now this machine is no longer in service. Edited April 29, 2015 by samus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrLzs Posted April 29, 2015 #11 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Check with a different mouse, and also check that your mouse double click rate hasn't been changed in Control Panel. It's not that unusual for a mouse to fail and give multiple clicks when only clicked once, or clicks that are mistimed and don't give the usual double click effect.. What do the Word error messages say? The two things may not be related. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarMountainKid Posted April 29, 2015 Author #12 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Well, my folders open ok when I click on them, it's just the icons that don't work. I don't get an error message when I click on them. I can right click on them and click on "open" and that works. I tried putting new icons on the desktop, but they they don't work by clicking on them either. Even clicking on "Help and Support" from the Start button doesn't work: Error messagae says it can't find that .exe But, My Computer and Control Panel from Start button work by clicking. It's a Pentium ®D CPU 2.8Gh dual core, 1 Gb Ram. I can live with all this if it doesn't get worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrLzs Posted April 29, 2015 #13 Share Posted April 29, 2015 So none of the icons work, or is it just the Office programs? If the latter, they may have been accidentally moved or deleted - re-install. If none of them work, seek help! If it's a laptop, a friendly computer store owner may be able to fix it in a flash... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarMountainKid Posted April 30, 2015 Author #14 Share Posted April 30, 2015 None of my icons work unless I right click on them and click on "open". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eldorado Posted April 30, 2015 #15 Share Posted April 30, 2015 If System Restore doesn't work I suggest you open a Command Prompt... Type, 'sfc/scannow', hit Enter and let it check your system files. (It will most likely ask for your Win XP disc) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StarMountainKid Posted April 30, 2015 Author #16 Share Posted April 30, 2015 If System Restore doesn't work I suggest you open a Command Prompt...Type, 'sfc/scannow', hit Enter and let it check your system files. (It will most likely ask for your Win XP disc) Thanks, Eldorado. I get an error message: 'Windows cannot find sfc/scannow' lol I'll just have XP or 7 re-insalled, I think that will clear all this up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiffSplitkins Posted April 30, 2015 #17 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Thanks for your responses. I think I need to re-install Windows ($50 at the local computer shop). Restore didn't do the job, and there's no error code for Word, it just says an error occurred. It's an old computer, and I don't want to spend the money for a new one just now. That's not a bad deal. Just make sure you back up your important data before you take it in. I've installed windows 7 on a pentium 4 machine haha Bless your heart. This reminds me of a cool prank to play. Next time you have access to someone's computer, take a screen capture of their desktop. Next, set the screen capture you just took as their wallpaper. Now just delete all their desktop shortcuts/icons Sit back and watch as they try and work out why none of their shortcuts are working.. I did that to a co-worker once but I right clicked the desktop, selected 'view' and unchecked 'show desktop icons' instead of deleting them. I used to always change his wall paper to 'My Little Pony' wallpapers too. LOL Another fun trick is to follow your first two steps select ALL the desktop icons and slide them over a bit so now you have two of each icon repeat those steps over and over until there is a cascade of repeating icons. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DefenceMinisterMishkin Posted April 30, 2015 #18 Share Posted April 30, 2015 That's not a bad deal. Just make sure you back up your important data before you take it in. Bless your heart. I did that to a co-worker once but I right clicked the desktop, selected 'view' and unchecked 'show desktop icons' instead of deleting them. I used to always change his wall paper to 'My Little Pony' wallpapers too. LOL Another fun trick is to follow your first two steps select ALL the desktop icons and slide them over a bit so now you have two of each icon repeat those steps over and over until there is a cascade of repeating icons. Bwahaha! Nice.. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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