Whenever I open the Save/Open folder, it closes O_o

Ok. I'm on XP, am using a network connection to the internet, with either Cable or DSL (I can't remember), My compy is a Laptop (Gateway), and the only things that I download are from OverClockedRemix, a videogame music site. (for the record, it's cool)

Whenever I hit Save, or Open, on both Paint and IE, the save/open box will close, as well as the program, after the computer stops making the 'thinking noises' (the HD and stuff) . IE: I open Paint. I want to load in a picture, so I hit open. When it opens, and the computer stops making it's 'thinking' noises, it closes Paint.

Thank you in advance, and I hope I can get it fixed. It's really annoying.


Edit: It's now doing the close on the My Pictures folder. This is beginning to suck.