Windows Xp Pro sp3 missing reg key/keys. Initial Rt Mouse click not displaying

[justlookingaround]

Windows Xp Pro Sp3
4 core a.m.d board 3mhz
8Gb memory.
nVidia GT440 1.5Gb cache Graphics Card

Hi.
I am terminally and my heart stopped a few months ago and I ended up in hospital.
You were kind enough to assist me with a computer problem some months ago.

Once again my eldest Grandson ran some 'speed up computer' program on my
4 core 3mhz a.m.d system and now I am having a problem with Windows XP doing its
thing on either memory management or missing reg key/keys (I think).
Again he does not remember what the program was called. Sad to say, I have
had to ban him  from using my system.

Symptom....
Switch on system and wait. Desktop displays ok.
Right mouse click on, say the Recycle Bin and there is a lag for a moment and it
comes back with out displaying anything and waits, once again, for input.
Selecting again, the selection window is given.

After a while working on various programs, you get a windows memory error message
or Windows will clear the Desktop, re-run explorer.exe. The Desktop appears with all
its contents, the task-bar has its contents, Programs running come back in the correct
state and finally, memory is sorted out. Its almost like a warm re-boot.

I think its by-passing the routine to display the right mouse selections because of
a missing registry key to the sub-program ensuring the display takes place.
It could be doing a 'Return instead of a 'sub-Return' or visa versa, when it skips
the missing registry instruction. I really do not have a clue what to do.
I can not re-install windows and all the software, I am far to ill do do that.

Please, can someone help resolve this problem for me.

Many thanks.

[Boggin]

I'm very sorry to hear about your health condition - I have two heart attacks behind me although the last one was in '92, I have other heart problems.

Depending upon how long it is since he ran that program, you may have restore points that could take you back to before he ran that program, but to perform such tweaks, I would think he would have had to install the program.

Is there anything installed on the computer that you don't recognize ?

Some of these tune up programs have their own restore option.

Without knowing what he has done then it could be difficult to resolve if you don't have the required restore points.

I'm not sure if a sfc /scannow would resolve but in XP that is best done if you have an XP CD.

If you don't have one then you can download the 32 bit ISO from https://pcriver.com/operating-systems/windows-xp-professional-iso-download.html (use the download link lower down the page).

I've never used this download site but it looks okay.

You will need a suitable disk burner to create the bootable disk and you can use ImgBurn - http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/imgburn.html

This is how to perform a sfc /scannow in XP which will check and repair any file corruption if it can.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/43051/how-to-use-sfcexe-to-repair-system-files/

[justlookingaround]

Hi.
Thank you for the fast reply.
Sorry to hear about your troubles. Life can be brutal.
I was given up to 2 months, I am still here after 4 months and
on the mend.
Time we both stopped the stress and relaxed a bit.

Now this problem...
I tried as you said but that did not solve the issue.
I also went on that site and tried what they suggested,
that too did not solve the issue. Even went to Microsoft and
looked around, no solution there or download for the standalone
Windows XP Pro Service Pack3. A Bit to late I think.
Never mind.

Its not a software problem regarding my particular problem,
as those issues on site seem to ensure that files are in their
correct state and that the last updates are installed.

For me, It looks like a missing registry command pointing to a file
for right mouse click display according to the service needed
and then back for device input, ie; mouse, keyboard or other
device. The files must be still present or the system would not
carry on functioning as it does.

Any way, thank you very much. It did teach me how to check
and replace any files that may be missing or incorrect.
Good o know.

Now lets hope you or some other kind chap or lady can resolve
this.
Once again, many thanks and all the best.

[Boggin]

Glad to hear you're on the mend - what do doctors know - eh

If your grandson used a registry cleaner type program then that could have taken a key out.

Have you tried reinstalling your mouse or the drivers ?

[justlookingaround]

Hi.
Yes, I have re-Install all drivers just to see if that solves the problem, No luck.
Alas, Just before I dropped, I switched off the System Backup for Spring Cleaning
and the computer was still on.
When I came back from hospital, the backup files were gone.
No backups were made until I switched the System Backup on days later when
I first went on the computer. I don't remember anything about that day or the
hospital stay, just bits an bobs.

Well, we press on.
All the best.

[Boggin]

Did you check to see if there are any programs installed that you don't recognise ?

I'm not sure if Event Viewer will have recorded any changes that were made with the tweaks, but it may be worth having a look, although you may have to go back some to check the date and time stamps on the Errors.

Were you able to create a XP SP3 install disk from the website I linked to perform a sfc /scannow ?

[justlookingaround]

Hi.
I have checked to see if there are any un-know files, no joy.
The link for the Windows .exe file leads no-where, but I did
download the iso from that web address.
Ran sfc /scannow, that ran OK but did not resolve the problem,
hence I think its a registry key or set of keys that have been removed.

I have told my GrandSon before not to this type of thing and to stay away
from my system unless I am present. He is a pain in the butt although
he did want to please me, shame it backed fired.

Many thanks again.
All the best.

[Boggin]

I think you need to press him to remember what he did or used.

Were you able to check Event Viewer ?

[justlookingaround]

Hi.
Yep. I keep pressing him to remember but no joy. He says he is not
sure who gave it to him to put on his dongle/pen drive.
He has had it quite some time, he says. I am not sure what to believe.

Any way, had a good look at the Event Viewer several times and can
not see what I think to be is a User/Mouse call to something.
Not to sure what I am looking for.

I leave the system to complete the boot-up then right mouse click.
the system shut-down and look at Event Viewer- time of entry.
Nothing I recognize.

I will get there with some help, I sure.

Just got to keep looking I guess.

All the best.

[Boggin]

So he still has the program to ID what it is ?

[justlookingaround]

Hi.
GrandDad, I emptied my flash drive for other things. The more you
press him the worse it gets.
I have told him to as his friends, some one knows what it was.
I'll leave it for a while and ask him again. Pressing him only gets
more and more silly. Its killing me to have to clear everything and wait
until the system hands things back to me.
I really hope we can solve this one.

Best wishes.

[Boggin]

Until we know what has been done then it's difficult to know what needs undoing.

However, there is a procedure known as a repair install which doesn't affect personal stuff or installed programs but it would be prudent to back up personal stuff.

The following article is a walk through in how to do this but it would help if you could see this article while performing the procedure on the affected machine.

I'm fortunate enough to have more than one laptop for when I need to perform an operation where it isn't practical to write out the instructions.

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-perform-a-windows-xp-repair-install-2624915

I'm not sure if this would restore your computer as to what could be missing, but it's an option worth considering.

I do this occasionally on my Win 10 laptops but it's a lot more straight forward than the procedure for XP.