Start Menu Item 'Printers and Faxes'

Question

I searched for something on this topic, but no relevant
hits. So...

On WinXPHome (SP1 & all Critical Updates) I have had my
Start Menu configured to show "Printers & Faxes" (same
area as cascading Control Panel; Admin Tools; etc) This
menu item has always opened a window in the past...
But now when I chick it, the hourglass spins for a
moment, but no window opens.
The curious thing is that, every time I try this, if I
subsequently do ALT+CTRL+DEL, a second "explorer.exe"
shows in the Processes tab, and almost always show as ~4-
6MB. Ending this process doesn't affect anything. The printer works fine, so that isn't a problem. Just can not access this option in the Start Menu

(BTW - I also had a problem with "Help and Support" not
opening, but found a .vbs from Doug Knox that fixed it.)

My system is: Dell Dimension2100
1.1GHZ Celeron
512RAM
20GB HD (about half full)
No unusual devices or components

All Suggestions Graciously Accepted. TIA!!

Message Edited by Tio Franco on 12-26-2003 12:54 PM

gryjhnhpe · Answer

OK if you want to restore Registry to earlier time use System Restore to an earlier point.
You can then re-install Updates again one at a time to see if they are the problem.

Message Edited by gryjhnhpe on 12-27-2003 07:23 AM

gryjhnhpe · Answer

Update for Anti-Virus & Spyware programs an scan.

You can also get FREE program called Spybot from;
http://spybot.eon.net.au/
If you install with Blind Icons you also get extra Immunize Options
"Lock IE Home Page"
"Lock Hosts file"
"Lock use of Internet Options from IE" > Tools > Internet Options

Use Update 1st before Immunize & Scan for problems.
Also has other Tools , like Edit of Auto Startup Programs.

Tio Franco · Answer

Thank-you for your reply, Gary...

However, this is not a virus or Spyware issue. My Virus scanning is up to date, and I already use Spybot (and check frequently for updates).

As with the "Help & Support" issue I mentioned, I believe the "Printers and Faxes" Start Menu item not loading, has something more to do with the registry and a change that may have occurred as the result of one of MS Updates to WinXP

Tio Franco · Answer

Thanks again for the quick reply, Gary! Unfortunately, as i so very rarely encounter any problems with my PC's, I disabled System Restoremore than a year ago. Perhaps that amy not have been a good idea... But as I say, there are few issues that arise that I can't work though.

Of course, I also follow the maxim of "Simple Things First"... Like doing malware check & virus scan, as you suggested. (ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA ). Have also completed a thorough ScanDisk and Defrag, as well as a few other MS Diagnostics.

I was kind of hoping to come across a "quick fix" .vbs, like the one I found for "Help and Support" on this thread"

http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=sw_winxp&message.id=46598&highlight=#M46598

BTW... Happy Boxing Day!! to You and Yours

Message Edited by Tio Franco on 12-26-2003 05:39 PM

gryjhnhpe · Answer

Ok if you start System Restore you can limit the amount of Disk spaced used , I found my Restore points only used up-to 50MB per Restore point.
---------------
You could try running SFC , which checks protected System Files for corruption & if found replaces them from reinstall..XP CD .
If it prompts for XP CD , hold Shift key while inserting XP CD to stop Auto play.
Use Start > Run & type
sfc /scannow (space after sfc)
-------------------
If you don't get any other fix you might have to do a Windows Repair from XP CD.
Not the 1st R for Recovery Console but start Install then select the next R for Repair from the next screen displayed.
If your XP CD doesn't include SP1 you will have to download Windows Updates again including SP1.

JRosenfeld · Answer

You could try deselecting it from the start menu, reboot, then select it again. Sometimes that repairs settings that have got corrupted.

Tio Franco · Answer

Hi Gary & JR,

Tried most of your suggestions yesterday evening. SFC didn't find anything unusual (ran it twice to be sure). De-selecting the option to show P&F on Start Menu... Re-start... Select the option... Re-start... did not help, I'm sorry to say. But it was a good idea.

What still puzzles me is the second instance of explorer.exe showing in the Processes window whenever I try to launch P&F. The printer/fax is a bargain basement HP holdover from my old Win98 system. It may be that, while it works well enough, there may be something that prevents it from being fully recognized by WinXP.

I'm not concerned enough about this to do an OS repair that will require re-installing SP's & Updates.

Since the actual print/fax functions operate nominally, I think I'll leave well enough alone for now.

Gary & JR - A big Texas THANK-YOU for trying to help with this. Much appreciated!! Take Care

--Frank

Message Edited by Tio Franco on 12-27-2003 10:24 AM

Windows General

Start Menu Item "Printers and Faxes"

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