can't drag icons on win2k desktop

[Asp]

On the Windows 2000 desktop I can't drag any icons to move them or drop on other icons.

I can click the desktop and "arrange icons" and choose any method (name, date, etc) and it will do that, but I can't move them myself by dragging.

"Auto arrange" is NOT ticked.

I can open a folder and drag that around, or any program window, but I can't drag any file or folder icons inside it.

I can r-click to create a folder or shortcut. I can select any icon and delete it.

Just can't move the **** things.

Just ran the "Windows2000-UURollup" 9b, but I have installed that on another PC recently with no such problem.

PS: booted in safe mode, still can't move icons.

Now something else -- opening the control panel "Add/remove programs" does not display a list of programs. Just an empty box

I've spent a while today trying to get a Java program running -- Kindle previewer. I installed and uninstalled it, and Java, a few times.

So it looks like I've damaged Windows in the process.

Thanks Amazon.

I've got an SP4 install disk, can I use that to repair install?

Never done that before, so excuse the naivety. If it will work and preferably leave my apps installed I will give it a try.

Edited June 20, 2012 by Asp

[tomasz86]

The Add/Remove programs is dependent on IE. It if doesn't work then maybe something got broken in IE.

Supposing that there is IE6 present in your system I'd try to either reinstall IE6 SP1 or install USP 5.1 (IE6 is included in it). Both ways should restore IE6 to the original state.

By the way, is Active Desktop switched off?

Edited June 20, 2012 by tomasz86

[Asp]

Thanks,

i did the IE6 update. Still can't drag icons, and Add/remove is still empty.

Do you really recommend the SP5.1?

Will that work on top of the UUrollup?

I've tried active desktop off and on, previously it was off and no issues.

[tomasz86]

You can safely install USP 5.1 over UURollup. After installing USP 5.1 you may also want to install Update Rollup 2 and UURollup-v10 (ENU). If the problem persists even after doing so then please run from commandline:

tasklist.exe>tasklist.txt

and post the result here. Maybe there's something running in background and blocking your desktop icons.

You asked about the repair installation. I don't really recommend using it, especially after you've installed unofficial updates so I really hope the problem can be solved without having to do it.

Does the problem occur on other user accounts too?

How about checking RevoUninstaller? Does it list all installed programs?

Edited June 20, 2012 by tomasz86

[Asp]

I went ahead with SP5.1, and the symptoms are gone.

I can drag icons and Add/Remove Programs is working.

Thanks.

I remain suspicious of what happened and why.

I was looking at Process Explorer to see what was going on. One thing was that every time I started the (Java) Kindle Previewer, it would crash, but leave a 40 MB process in memory, apparently doing nothing. Which I killed, but maybe it did some damage.

Unfortunately, I really need that, so I have to try again, I had it working in Win2k without any problem before.

I used Win98 for years, installed Win2k over that in 2005, used that for about 7 years until my computer literally blew up, and I did a clean install of SP4 on a new disk a couple of weeks ago.

I thought I'd have a nice clean stable system, but I've had weird stuff going on. Maybe it's because I had applied numerous patches and fixes over the years and forgot the details.

Anyway, fingers crossed, thanks again..

I'll do your rollup 10 if things hang together.

-- Cool, the Kindle Previewer runs normally now too.

I was thinking dark thoughts of how I'd finally have to move my desktop to XP. Can put that off for a while.

Edited June 20, 2012 by Asp

[tomasz86]

It's good to know that the problem has been solved

Before installing UURollup I recommend installing Update Rollup 2 too as it contains some hotfixes (HBRs) which are not included in USP 5.1.