My computer is making odd changes--1) file views change each time a folder is opened (from thumbnail to filmstrip for example); 2) folder optionSearch replaced Open as the first action, so I have to right-click to open all folders. SometimesExplore is the boldface option for folders. 3) the letter 'f' or 'k' appears instead of the actual keyed letter; or the letter 'f' appears in front of the keyed letter. 4) The search screen opens up each time the computer is turned on or restarted. 5) a saved page in Word only partially saves. Am I headed for a computer breakdown?

Hi porphery, - What's the recent change that was made to your computer after which this issue has started to occur? Let’s put the computer in clean boot state and check if any third-party program is causing this issue.Putting your system in clean boot state helps in identifying if any third party applications or startup items are causing the issue. If yes, you may have to contact the program manufacturer for any updates or uninstall and re-install the program. Here’s the article you may refer to for steps with reference to the same. Use this link if you are using Windows XP:How to configure Windows XP to start in a "clean boot" stateNote: After troubleshooting, make sure to put the computer to start as usual as mentioned here:To configure Windows to use a Normal startup stateAfter you used the clean boot to resolve your problem, you can follow these steps to configure Windows XP to start normally. a. Click Start, and then click Run.b. Type msconfig, and then click OK. The System Configuration Utility dialog box is displayed.c. Click the General tab, click Normal Startup - load all device drivers and services, and then click OK.d. When you are prompted, click Restart to restart the computer. Regards,Divya R – Microsoft Support.Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Regarding the problem with the Search Window, try the following KB article:"Search Companion Starts If You Double-Click a Folder" < http://support.microsoft.com/kb/321186 >HTH, JW

Thanks for the link. I started the Registry Editor but didn't find HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT/Directory/shell. Instead, I found HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, which I clicked on to open, and found a long list of .alphabet soup but no listing for Directory/Shell. There was a shell listing and I opened it but didn't find anything that allowed me to make the changes recommended. The value data was already set to none, according to the description. Any suggestions? The other main listings were HKEY-CURRENT-USER, HKEY-LOCAL-MACHINE, HKEY-USERS and HKEY-CURRENT-CONFIG.l

Inside HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, there are a lot of ".alphabet" entries. Note that a dot "." comes before a "D" alphabetically. Skip past all of the "." entries and you will find a bunch of entries that start with an alphabetic character. Look in with the "D"s and I have confidence that you will find "Directory". Alternatively, with "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT" expanded and selected (by clicking once on it), hit the "D" key and you should be taken quickly to the "D" section.HTH, JW

I did a clean boot and one problem was solved--the search screen no longer appears at start-up. However, the keyboard is producing more odd letters (i, g, f, k are the most frequent) which appear at the front of words when other characters have been struck. These are not typos.Also, when opening folders, the documents momentarily are displayed but then disappear off the screen. The wait icon appears, and after some 20 seconds, the documents reappear.Any suggestions?Gloria

For the keyboard problem, it may be the case that someone/something has remapped the keyboard.There is a registry change could be done, but mistakes in the registry can render your system useless. Download and install the following and remap your keyboard.http://www.randyrants.com/2006/07/sharpkeys_211.htmlNote: Microsoft Framework.NET 2.0 in needed. It can be uninstalled via the Control Panel later.Hope this helpsPost back if needed____________________If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

For the keyboard problem, it may be the case that someone/something has remapped the keyboard.There is a registry change could be done, but mistakes in the registry can render your system useless. Download and install the following and remap your keyboard.http://www.randyrants.com/2006/07/sharpkeys_211.htmlNote: Microsoft Framework.NET 2.0 is needed. It can be uninstalled via the Control Panel later.Hope this helpsPost back if needed____________________If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

Regarding your 20 second delay... That amount of time corresponds almost exactly to a network timeout. Try disconnecting your network cable from your computer and see if that problem goes away. If so, look for persistent network connections to computers that might not be present or powered on.HTH, JW

Sorry, the search window does still appear after the clean boot. Is there something else I can try?

Network cable is already unplugged. Where do I look for "persistent network connections that might not be present or powered on"? and what does this mean? Thanks for your response.G

It worked! Folders now open on left click. At last! many thanks for this solution.G

If network cable is unplugged and you still have a long delay opening folders, then the network is not your problem. I would suggest running a Disk Check operation next with the /f (fix) option."How to perform disk error checking in Windows XP" < http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265 >Your keyboard problem sounds like a defective keyboard. Try replacing it with another keyboard and see if the problem persists.HTH, JW