Cannot Open or Save As Files

[unclemartybob]

A few days ago I found that I was no longer able to use application functions that access (browse) the system file directory...such as the OPEN buttons...the SAVE AS function....downloading or uploading files...etc.
For example, if I am in an application such as MS Word, Kompozer, Firefox, etc., I can click on the "Open" button (or File...Open, or use CTRL-O) and I can see visually that the mouse interacts with the button or menu option (the item gets highlighted and/or appears 'de-pressed') but then nothing happens....the OPEN (or Save As, etc.) dialog screens never open. However, in Windows Explorer I can right-click on a file and use the Open With option and usually get the file openned in the application I wanted, but this means that if I want to work on several of the same type of file simultaneously I must have each open in their own seperate application window.

Thanks for any help...