Apparently I can't construct a google search that will turn up the answer I'm looking for, so I'll post it here...
I have a PC in which applications refuse to load. It doesn't matter if you double-click the shortcut on the desktop, use the Start Menu, or click on the small icons on the taskbar in an effort to run an application or open a window, the PC acts as if you didn't do anything. Same goes for trying to open My Computer, Recycle Bin, Control Panel, etc.
On the other hand, the programs that automatically load into the System Tray on startup WILL run when you click their System Tray icons.
I have used the System Recovery disks to restore the system to the state it was in when it came out of the box, but the problem persists. In fact, before the System Recovery, the problem could sometimes be overcome by rebooting, but since the System Recovery, that no longer appears to work.
Since the software has been wiped clean and restored, I'm guessing this must be a hardware issue, but what is it? Why would the programs that load into the System Tray work fine while everything else refuses?
Would appreciate any insights!