Strange problem

[The PIT]

Compaq Presario 2100 laptop running XP home.

Had spyware and Viri on cos the student does p2p. Removed all that and got the machine to start to respond only discover a strange problem.

If you click on any program on the start menu or desktop nothing happens. If you click on a shortcut the same program will run.

Control panel My Computer will run though.

I've plugged in another mouse still the same.

Checked mouse click options and they're correct.

I've uninstalled and updated the touch pad software.

I've tried in safe mode still the same.

Removed sp2 and still the same.

Re-installed SP2 still the same.

Zero errors in the event viewer.

Services seem okay.

Disabled all start up items just in case still the same.

Any ideas.

[Kooldino]

Wow. What happens if you right-click on a program in the start menu?

[Goc]

Have you tried running Hijackthis? Maybe there are some funny dll hooks you didn't find...

[Gurm]

Your machine is sadly borked. Your solution? Very simple. Package it up carefully and send it to me.

That's right. Just send it here. I'll take care of everything.

[Tjalfe]

is it really worth yout time figuring it out?.. just tell the student it was borked and you had to format and reinstall
(if you are nice, you can do a backup first)

[The PIT]

Wow. What happens if you right-click on a program in the start menu?

Sorry forgot to mention this.

Right click and run as and the program runs.

[The PIT]

Done that as part of spyware removal everything looks okay.

Gurm you wouldn't want it as it isn't very quick.

[Kooldino]

Sorry forgot to mention this.

Right click and run as and the program runs.

And if you right click/open?

[Gurm]

Done that as part of spyware removal everything looks okay.

Gurm you wouldn't want it as it isn't very quick.

I want it... to fix it. Yeah, that's it!

Heh.

Considering how much of a geek I am, would you believe I don't own a laptop at all?

And my Palm Pilot is a IIIx. Ouch!

[The PIT]

And if you right click/open?

It runs

[Kurt]

I want it... to fix it. Yeah, that's it!

Heh.

Considering how much of a geek I am, would you believe I don't own a laptop at all?

And my Palm Pilot is a IIIx. Ouch!

I had one and never used it for more than browsing the web (Tablet PC rocks for that). I'm selling it.

Ditto for my Palm, but I've sold it a long time ago now. I got a secretary instead