software acting up

Can anyone help?  I am usng ms vista.  I have used my Dell for graphics and word documents.  Recently, I began having issues with programs like Adobe pdf, Apache Open Office, Serif photoshop.  Within these programs I can no longer save or create or open files.  The icon menu options on the left side typically found on all menus for opening and saving have disappeared.  Often, selecting these options freezes the program/ fails to respond.  I thought it was Open Office.  But, it is happening with other programs.  Any ideas?