Can't left-click to open folders on desktop

My PC recently developed a minor but annoying problem. Put simply, I have to right-click, explore to open folders on the desktop. If I try a left-click, I just get a beep from the system speaker. Programs and links to programs open normally however. The problem only exists on the actual desktop, as all sub-folders open just fine and folders on the desktop also open normally if viewed in a window from the folders list.
Any ideas?
Thanks in anticipation -Rick

That is strange. I can find no precedent. Perhaps try a System Restore to a point prior to this issue.

Also perhaps go to: Control Panel | Folder Options | Click items as follows

Try changing the setting to single click (if set to double) Apply & see if there is a difference. Then go back & restore your preference.

You get just a single beep? Not an event sound? No error message?

Does this happen with newly added folders? Or just existing? What if you move the folder off of the desktop & then return it?

Also: look in your Event viewer: rt. click My Computer then click Manage then Event Viewer.
Or: Administrative Tools/Event Viewer or Start/Run/ eventvwr
Open the system as well as the application tabs & look for X errors. Click error line for details.
Post back the source & event id especially of errors that seem to coincide with this issue.

Hi, tried all of your suggestions to no avail. Couldn't try the system restore though as I no longer have a restore point from before the prob occured (have a feeling I tried it closer to the time though, again to no avail). I forgot to mention though that the problem also exists on the start menu - can't "open" by left clicking on My Documents, My Computer, Control Panel etc., although once again they open fine with right click, explore.
As for error logs, a little difficault to remember the exact date on which the problem started but skimming approximately the correct timeframe through, I did find a couple of Application Errors relating to explorer.exe and svchost.exe both with the event ID -1000.
There was also a couple of instances of application errors relating to "version 0.0.0.0", again event ID - 1000.
Also found 1 instance of an application hang relating to explorer.exe with an event ID - 1002.
Once again thanks in anticipation of your help.
Rick

A remote possibility:

Go to Start/Run and type in: regsvr32 /i shell32

Here are some overviews of those errors:

http://www.eventid.net/display.asp?e...0Error&phase=1

http://www.eventid.net/display.asp?e...20Hang&phase=1

& just cutting to the worst case scenario:
How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q315341

Dear Jephree,

WOW!!! Thank you very much. I had the same problem that I've been trying to solve for weeks.The "regsvr32 /i shell32" method worked. I am very grateful to you.

No problem. Thanks for letting us know.

Let us know if we can help further in the future.