I've run into a weird problem recently on my windows xp pro (with all
updates).  When inside a program, I try to open up a windows to pick
out some files - the program will abruptly crash - with no notice
whatsoever.  Here's an example - when using a program that allows me
to convert graphic files into a smaller format.  I start by hitting
the open files button inside the program, it abruptly crashes.  It
didn't do this before.  But if I, using internet explorer, select a
file or more, and drop them directly into this same program, I have
absolutely no problem.  I thought it was just this program, but today
I tried to do this in another totally different program and got the
same exact error - that is the program abruptly crashed when I tried
to open and select a file, but wouldn't crash if I simply dropped the
file onto the program interface.

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Request for Question Clarification by feilong-ga on 13 Mar 2003 00:02 PST

Can you give us the names of the programs you are telling us?
When did this problem start?
Can you tell us what program/s you installed or updated before this
problem started?
Does this "crashing" happen to ALL programs installed in your
computer?

It doesn't matter what the programs are that have this problem or
whether it is all programs because the problem is with a common
Windows control (the File Open dialogue box).  Most Windows programs
will use this to open files and, as you have said, you don't suffer
the crash when you bypass the File Open dialogue by drag-and-drop,
where available.

Probably the easiest but most effective way out of this is to take
advantage of Windows XP Pro's 'System Restore' functionality.  It's
just perfect for this sort of, otherwise hard-to-fix, problem.

Windows XP takes a 'snapshot' of your system at regular intervals and
before you make major changes such as installing software.  Since you
say this problem started occurring recently then there is a good
chance you can simply "rewind" your system to a previous state ?
before the problems began.

Here are the steps to do so:

1)	Launch "Help and Support" from your Start Menu.  (If you can't find
it, just close all programs and press F1.)
2)	Click on the link "Undo changes to your computer with System
Restore"
3)	Leave the radio button on "Restore my computer to an earlier time"
and click Next.
4)	Look for dates that are in bold on the calendar ? these days have
at least one "Restore Point" to which you can revert.
5)    Choose the latest Restore Point that was created before your
troubles began.  Take note ? if software was installed after this date
then it will be removed.  However, files that you have saved (such as
work) and e-mails etc., will not be affected and reverting to a
Restore Point like this is completely reversible.

If you still have the problem after using System Restore you can try
an earlier Restore Point.  Good luck, and don't hesitate to request
clarification if the above is not clear.

Thank you,
Izzard-ga

Hi:
  I believe you did correctly identify the error, but the solution
wasn't one I could use, since I have system restore turned off on my
system (it does tend to use up quite a bit of space, and slows down
the system).
  Instead, I tried the "repair" function off the Windows XP disk, and
that seemed to work ok, albeit it took about an hour and 20 minutes to
actually run.  It seemed to want to change almost everything on the
system.
 thx, Jon

Yes, "repair" will most likely take your system back to the state of a
fresh installation, so you will have to install service packs, etc.
again.  System Restore should not slow down your system (it may cause
a small delay when it is creating a new restore point) but if you can
find even 100Mb of hard disk to give to it, it can save you a lot of
time and frustration!

Cheers,
Izzard-ga