XP Pro power options gone (and Live Photo Gallery inconvenience)

Recently my laptop has been doing dumb things. My first concern is that my power control is completely inaccessible as you can see in the picture included. There are no profiles in the drop box (I used to have 2 but they are now gone with it). I can't do anything.
Fortunately, it still goes by my preferred setting (shuts monitor off at 3 mins, standby after 30 mins) but I'm still angry about this.



I don't know if this is directly related, but I thought it may have something to do with me installing Windows Live Photo Gallery (vista-style photo viewing... approved for XP). Then again I don't know because it all worked fine with each other for a while.
The reason I made this connection is because WLPG isn't working right either. I have all of my jpegs and whatnnot set to open automatically with WLPG but it doesn't do it anymore. I have to literally select to open with it... I can't just double click it anymore (I used to be able to).

I'll be going back to Vista as soon as convenient for me but until then, if anyone has any ideas regarding any of these two issues, please feel free to enlighten me

Thanks in advance.

 

here's a picture showing my problem with WLPG



As you can see, it is default to open with it, but the icon acts as if it can't be recognized even though it is still there and recommended. When I double click, nothing happens.

 

The problem is indeed being caused by WLPG.
Had me stumped for a while too as to why the power options would suddenly become inaccessible for what seemed to be no apparent reason.

I also had the issue with pictures not opening with a double click either.

I put it down to bugs in WLPG and un-installed it, hey presto the power settings are back in swing.

 

Hey thanks.
I didn't think anyone would have the same problems as I.
I'll give it a shot.

 

So I tried a while back. Got rid of the program but it hasn't really fixed anything.

It's not such a big deal though.

My printer software went crazy with "fatal errors during installation" when it has been installed for over 3 months (so I had to uninstall it). My volume controls quit working after about an hour of uptime. After resuming from standby, sound is greatly distorted.. This is more than I'm willing to deal with so I'm going to get Vista again soon.

Thanks.