There are certain programs, for example (this has multiple names) Antivirus 2009, will block certain programs from launching. This malware also installs a rootkit, which assists in blocking such programs. You can try to rename the programs that will not open and see if they then open. You can try the latest shareware of MalwareBytes program to remove this, but you also must rename it. And in the future, do not say "will not post unless requested" or else we (myself included) can only guess as to the problem. Please post the version (including Service Pack) of Vista you are using.