Windows XP home edition with SP2 installed. When I click on Help, nothing happens and the Search helper dialog box in Windows Explorer does not appear. Cannot print from IE window either.
Also, cannot launch any Windows facilities from Explorer - when I double-click the exe file, nothing happens.

Try some of the below programs and suggestions, see if it helps clean things up and help things run better, if not, you may possibly need a clean reformat and reinstall of HOme XP and the update :eek:

For Spyware protection and general help cleaning up the computer and registry I recommend,

The following files, as I have found 1 or even 2 is not always enough, as 1 may find

Something the others do not, so protect yourself with several programs, if may be a pain,

But a needed one.

Spyware
Microsoft New SPyware program-Formerly Giant spyware, they bought it out.
Spysweeper
Spybot search and destroy
Adware SE
Aluria's Spyware Eliminator
Spyhunter
&
Spyware Blaster, this one prevents certain items, before they are even installed, it does

Not clean.

I would suggest at the very least 3 or more of the above programs.

Registry and Fix and Repair programs
Fix it Utilities 5 this one has an excellent Scandisk, better than the one with your OS
Advanced System Optimizer
Ace Utilities
System Mechanic 5

Any 2 or more of these.

And download the Google toolbar with built in pop up stopper for your browser is good.

And a good solid Anti Virus Program or 2, updated weekly.
PC-Cillin
AVG Anti Virus
Bitdefender
Etrust EZ Anti virus

I would suggest using 2 of these.

A good defragging Program or 2
Diskeeper Lite
Perfect Disk.

Also run from Start/run type in chkdsk then let that run then type in chkdsk /f to help fix

WinXP errors.

Also use the below website, that tests and reviews some for the best programs out for many

Different things, they give you side by side comparisons and rate each one in many

Categories.
http://www.toptenreviews.com/

Grateful for your suggestions. I am away from PC for some weeks now, but will try these on my return.