WinXP Start menu Problems

I've just had a strange problem come up. Actually 2 strange problems, which
may be related for all I know.

Using XP, all updates and SPs. Up to date virus checker has scanned all
fixed disks and found nothing, and I have a firewall operating.

1 - (The minor one) Italic fonts have gone very strange in Word, Internet
Explorer and Firefox. They have been replaced with alternative fonts.

2 - On the start menu, the 'All programs', 'run', 'search', 'help and
support' and 'set program access and default' buttons do not work. Left
clicking on all of them (apart from 'All programs' causes the Start menu to
close and a message comes up stating:
'Windows cannot create a shortcut here.
Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead?'
I have tried saying yes, but the short cut on the desktop then has no effect.
Saying no seems to have no effect other than closing the box.
In any event, I cannot access these options on the computer at present,
which is rather frustrating.

When the 'All programs' option is clicked, nothing happens.

Right clicking on all the above other than 'All programs' has no effect.

Right clicking on 'All programs' brings up a menu with the option to 'Open'.
On clicking that, a Start Menu box comes up, with the possibility of
selecting 'Programs'. Doing that opens the relevant folder, but most of the
programs on the PC are missing. This seems somewhat bizarre as the programs
are still on the computer and can be accessed via My Computer, C drive,
'program files'.

So far as we can see, there are two things which may have affected the
computer (given, it seems, no viruses):
(a) the latest Windows automatic update (we have only experienced these
problems since then).
(b) we have just upgraded our free Quicktime player. However, the problem
with the fonts existed before we did that.

Any suggestions for causes and solutions are much appreciated.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Ian

Fonts are system files, and can be replaced with start/run, type:
SFC /SCANNOW

There is a great utility for fixing the taskbar and start menu.
Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm
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Mark L. Ferguson



"I_Williams94" wrote:

> I've just had a strange problem come up. Actually 2 strange problems, which
> may be related for all I know.
>
> Using XP, all updates and SPs. Up to date virus checker has scanned all
> fixed disks and found nothing, and I have a firewall operating.
>
> 1 - (The minor one) Italic fonts have gone very strange in Word, Internet
> Explorer and Firefox. They have been replaced with alternative fonts.
>
> 2 - On the start menu, the 'All programs', 'run', 'search', 'help and
> support' and 'set program access and default' buttons do not work. Left
> clicking on all of them (apart from 'All programs' causes the Start menu to
> close and a message comes up stating:
> 'Windows cannot create a shortcut here.
> Do you want the shortcut to be placed on the desktop instead?'
> I have tried saying yes, but the short cut on the desktop then has no effect.
> Saying no seems to have no effect other than closing the box.
> In any event, I cannot access these options on the computer at present,
> which is rather frustrating.
>
> When the 'All programs' option is clicked, nothing happens.
>
> Right clicking on all the above other than 'All programs' has no effect.
>
> Right clicking on 'All programs' brings up a menu with the option to 'Open'.
> On clicking that, a Start Menu box comes up, with the possibility of
> selecting 'Programs'. Doing that opens the relevant folder, but most of the
> programs on the PC are missing. This seems somewhat bizarre as the programs
> are still on the computer and can be accessed via My Computer, C drive,
> 'program files'.
>
> So far as we can see, there are two things which may have affected the
> computer (given, it seems, no viruses):
> (a) the latest Windows automatic update (we have only experienced these
> problems since then).
> (b) we have just upgraded our free Quicktime player. However, the problem
> with the fonts existed before we did that.
>
> Any suggestions for causes and solutions are much appreciated.
>
> Many thanks in anticipation.
>
> Ian