file opening hangs

Hello,

when I try to open a file, regardless which program I use, (notepad, wordpad, excel, word etc.) the program hangs. (not responding). Its trying to look on the desktop, and I can't change this as it does not even let me type anything.

if I drag and drop a file on a notepad shortcut, then I can open the file. how would I go about resolving this?

also, I'm new at 7, can someone PLEASE tell me how to disable the screen automatically switching from background to taskbar?

thank you!

I'm using 32bit.

I did try an sfc command (I have no clue what it does) but it only flashed a window (pop up) too briefly for me to even see what it was doing.

btw, it only hangs if the directory/place its looking in is the desktop.
(thanks too)

ttran said:

I would add a bit more detail to ryo post, as u are new to window 7
To do system file check, go to start--> in search box type in cmd and run it as administrator--> in cmd command window, type in sfc /scannow (space between sfc and scannow)
I'm not clear about your question related to switching between background and taskbar
Give us result

thank you, silly question, how do I run the cmd prompt as admin? (shaking head at own brain farts)

and I figured out the auto window switch thing (aero setting grr!)

The sfc command did not find any problems.

this is a new laptop, and if I check task manager, there is nothing eating up the ram (there is 3gb ram on this machine). So I dunno. Any ideas? (I appreciate the help)

no, when I launch any program, be it notepad, wordpad, word, excel, anything, and the page is blank (as I want to open an already existing document), I click file, open, and IF the destination to look in is the desktop, the program (any of them) hangs. I have to close it via task manager.

If I have the open in folder set to anything other than the desktop then it seems to be ok, and does not hang. (this makes no sense to me, notepad of all things is a basic windows component. but since this is happening with all other programs, I'm wondering if there is not something funky with the desktop).

I figured out the auto-switching of the windows (disabled the aero setting).

Please let me know if you can figure it out. Its driving me nuts :) (ps. if I drag and drop a file to a notepad shortcut (ironically on the desktop) then it opens said file no problem).

Thanks!