Some applications no longer launch

[Guest Ian S]

In my Windows XP Home SP2 installation, some of my applications no longer

launch.

Clicking the desktop icon fails to launch the program. No error message,

nothing.

Nor can I start them by using the Start menu. Some of the applications are

third party (Adobe Reader, Photoshop CS2), but some are windows applications

(Notepad, Wordpad, Media Player). The remaining apps operate as normal.

If I use Window Explorer to locate the appropriate exe file in the Program

Files sub directory, then double click the file, it still fails to launch.

However, if I use Start > Run, then navigate to the appropriate exe file,

they do launch properly. What is the difference?

If I double click on the appropriate file type (eg .txt, .pdf), then again

the program launches correctly.

 

I have not (knowingly!) changed any settings on my PC. I have recently

installed a new AntiVirus/Firewall program, but I have already tried

disabling this, with no effect.

 

The problem may relate to user rights; if I right click the app, chose Run

As, but then keep the Current User, I can get the program to launch, though

with the Adobe programs I must untick the "Protect my computer from

unauthorised program activity" box. I run with Administrator rights on my PC.

 

I even tried a repair installation of XP, but to my surprise this did not

fix the problem (though it created some more, now resolved, wiith Windows

update!)

Any advice much appreciated

--

Best Regards

 

Ian S

[Guest Kelly]

Re: Some applications no longer launch

 

Hi Ian,

 

See if line 12 helps: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

 

--

 

All the Best,

Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

 

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

SupportSpace

http://www.supportspace.com/pages?aiu=kellyskorner

 

"Ian S" <IanS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:E6A1DB03-6A90-4E5F-8930-9764D40C4B0E@microsoft.com...

> In my Windows XP Home SP2 installation, some of my applications no longer

> launch.

> Clicking the desktop icon fails to launch the program. No error message,

> nothing.

> Nor can I start them by using the Start menu. Some of the applications are

> third party (Adobe Reader, Photoshop CS2), but some are windows

> applications

> (Notepad, Wordpad, Media Player). The remaining apps operate as normal.

> If I use Window Explorer to locate the appropriate exe file in the Program

> Files sub directory, then double click the file, it still fails to launch.

> However, if I use Start > Run, then navigate to the appropriate exe file,

> they do launch properly. What is the difference?

> If I double click on the appropriate file type (eg .txt, .pdf), then again

> the program launches correctly.

>

> I have not (knowingly!) changed any settings on my PC. I have recently

> installed a new AntiVirus/Firewall program, but I have already tried

> disabling this, with no effect.

>

> The problem may relate to user rights; if I right click the app, chose Run

> As, but then keep the Current User, I can get the program to launch,

> though

> with the Adobe programs I must untick the "Protect my computer from

> unauthorised program activity" box. I run with Administrator rights on my

> PC.

>

> I even tried a repair installation of XP, but to my surprise this did not

> fix the problem (though it created some more, now resolved, wiith Windows

> update!)

> Any advice much appreciated

> --

> Best Regards

>

> Ian S

[Guest Ian S]

Re: Some applications no longer launch

 

Hi Kelly

 

Thanks for the reply, but unfortunately, no, it made no difference.

--

Best Regards

 

Ian S

 

 

"Kelly" wrote:

> Hi Ian,

>

> See if line 12 helps: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

>

> --

>

> All the Best,

> Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

>

> Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!

> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

>

> SupportSpace

> http://www.supportspace.com/pages?aiu=kellyskorner

>

> "Ian S" <IanS@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:E6A1DB03-6A90-4E5F-8930-9764D40C4B0E@microsoft.com...

> > In my Windows XP Home SP2 installation, some of my applications no longer

> > launch.

> > Clicking the desktop icon fails to launch the program. No error message,

> > nothing.

> > Nor can I start them by using the Start menu. Some of the applications are

> > third party (Adobe Reader, Photoshop CS2), but some are windows

> > applications

> > (Notepad, Wordpad, Media Player). The remaining apps operate as normal.

> > If I use Window Explorer to locate the appropriate exe file in the Program

> > Files sub directory, then double click the file, it still fails to launch.

> > However, if I use Start > Run, then navigate to the appropriate exe file,

> > they do launch properly. What is the difference?

> > If I double click on the appropriate file type (eg .txt, .pdf), then again

> > the program launches correctly.

> >

> > I have not (knowingly!) changed any settings on my PC. I have recently

> > installed a new AntiVirus/Firewall program, but I have already tried

> > disabling this, with no effect.

> >

> > The problem may relate to user rights; if I right click the app, chose Run

> > As, but then keep the Current User, I can get the program to launch,

> > though

> > with the Adobe programs I must untick the "Protect my computer from

> > unauthorised program activity" box. I run with Administrator rights on my

> > PC.

> >

> > I even tried a repair installation of XP, but to my surprise this did not

> > fix the problem (though it created some more, now resolved, wiith Windows

> > update!)

> > Any advice much appreciated

> > --

> > Best Regards

> >

> > Ian S

>

>