Tommyrot, I did try the drag and drop, still no luck. My partner in the project got it to work at home by reconfiguring Microsoft Photo Editor t run from her computer. My version of Office 2003 has Microsoft Office Picture Manager instead. I tried that fix, and still no love.

So if you could wing some code my way, I would be forever greatful.

grommit, I guess that explains why I didn't have it, huh?! I would've probably realized that if I hadn't been a tad overwrought... At this point, though, I'm honestly afraid to download anything.

P.-C., thanks for the {}. I feel better now!

Okay. Ctrl+Alt+Del says Close Program at the top and gives me a list of what's running and the option to End Task, Shut Down, or Cancel. Currently: the web page I'm on, Explorer, Ctfmon, Sk9910dm, Ccapp, Systray, Wuauclt, Winmgmt, Hidserv, and Mdm.

Programs -> Startup says Microsoft Office, which I didn't think I was running, and nothing else. Hm.

Programs -> Startup says Microsoft Office

Doesn't mean you are running it (you aren't), just that is the last program that was launched from that prompt. It's okay, ignore it for now.

Zenkitty - are you sure you're running Windows 2000? Your task manager window should have three tabs like the screenshot I linked earlier. The tab I'm interested in is "Processes".

As for the startup control panel. it's a safe download. It will also make diagnosis a lot easier.

I'm running Windows Me. That's 2000, right?

I don't have a task manager window. Don't know why. Maybe it was disabled at some point; I'm not sure.

No, Windows ME is different. Windows 2000 was the precursor to Windows NT.

I think.

I'm running Windows Me. That's 2000, right?

Nope. Me was the final development of Windows evolved from Windows 95. Windows 2000 came from Windows NT and evolved into XP.

eta:

Windows 2000 was the precursor to Windows NT

Other way around.

The reason it's confusing is that Me is the "Milenium Edition." Sorta like "2000," right? Win98 was supposed to be the final evolution of that product line - after that everyone was supposed to use XP. But XP was late (go figure), necessitating another round of fixes to 98 to keep that product line going a bit longer.

I'm running Windows Me. That's 2000, right?

Oh, Jesus Christ. Well, that's your problem right there.

Windows ME.

shudders

By the way, that window you get when you Ctrl-Alt-Del is the Task Manager. But like thegrommit said, it's not as helpful as the one in later Windows versions.

I'm running Windows Me. That's 2000, right?

This explains why you don't have a task manager. Windows ME is a fancier version of Windows 98. Windows 2000 is a very different beast and forms the basis for Windows XP.

I'm wondering whether your "upgrade" was performed using the wrong installer (different ones are required for Windows 2000/XP and 98/ME).

It would still be worth using the Startup Control Panel to see what is being loaded when you boot up.

I have Windows ME on my laptop, and I haven't had any problems with it. But I've never had to ask much of it, either.

Anyway, of Zenkitty's list:

Explorer, Ctfmon, Sk9910dm, Ccapp, Systray, Wuauclt, Winmgmt, Hidserv, and Mdm.

I only recognize Explorer and Systray. Can anyone identify the others?