I have a Dimension 3000 with XP.  When I double click on an excel or word icon to open the file, often the hourglass appears on the cursor and just stays there.  If I open Task Manager to see what is going on, I see the name of the folder (that the file is in) twice with Non-Responding next to both of them.  Then I have to do "End Task" and start all over.  Most of the time, If I open word or excel first, and use File, Open, and select the file that way it will open.  But I prefer to work the other way and that had been working for four years on this computer and on every previous computer I've had.  Also, often I have trouble in the same way opening word or excel files attached to emails.  I wonder if maybe my OS needs to be reloaded? If so, is the best way to do that by using the original installation disks that came with the computer?