Vista: cannot access control panel or windows update

On Vista, I can no longer access my control panel, use windows update,
install IE7, or right click Computer. Any ideas what caused or solution?

Did you install Windows Live OneCare? I notice it has a tendency to go
haywire and lock up your OS. Have you tried doing a System Restore from Safe
Mode to an earlier point in time before you started experiencing this
problem?

Hi, I was having this problem, and I turned off all my McAffee "computer
and File" protections, and then was able to access Control Panel.
What's interesting is that even when I turned the protections back on, I
was still able to access Control Panel. Hope that helps.

how did you turn off the protections? I`m not very good at do it yaself
pooter fixing, but this problem is annying me now!

Right click on Computer and left click manage. Go to services, look for
sl ui notification service and stop it if it's started, then go to
software licensing and do the same, stop it, it'll bring up a window
about ready boost go ahead and stop the service. Then under software
licencing put it back to automatic and start the service, then go back
to sl ui notifation service and do the same, set to automatic and start
the service.

Hi people

I tried the service restarting session but still i am unable to access
the following:

Control Panel
Personalize (Desktop Properties) on right clicking
Device Manager via right Click on computer

though my windows copy is registered :( but still

any idea how can i get rid of this issue!

Using Windows Vista Ultimate 32 ...!