I have a second computer that runs win 98SE, and will not let me access folders through the interface. I'm not sure if you follow, but when I open up my computer or my documents, i have to ctrl-alt-del, and then it goes into safe mode. I try to shut off the computer, but it gets stuck at the "Windows is shutting down" screen, and i have to do a manual shut-down. When i booted it up again, I had to ctrl-alt-del because it had frozen (before mcafee or ICQ started). Something called "Cpqeadm" was "not responding". Bleh. When i tried to open my documents, it froze again, ctrl... again, went into safe mode, and shut down the computer manualy. It booted up fine again.
BTW. I can open programs through the Start menu.