classic logjam, can't work

[rooneytunes]

I can't work properly if I can't get this fixed.I had this problem several months ago and it resolved itself but is now back to haunt me. I've trawled the discussions and Apples FAQs and found no cures that actually worked only folks with the same problem but no answers. I vaguely remember a suggestion about "flags" but can't be sure what that was about.
Double-clicking files created in some Classic apps doesn't open the files, just the app. Graphic converter opens fine but not PS or Illustrator, indeed sometimes after PS launches in the dock the printer icon momentarily attempts to launch but doesn't.
I've trashed the relevant plist files, rebuilt the desktop in classic, ran disc utility, did the file info routine, and priveleges routine, ran classic from the same disc as X and off another disc and nothing works. Logged in as root and tried the above and still no luck. What's gone wrong? I was able to work normally for several months, I haven't updated anything. This is seriously slowing down my workflow.
OS10.1.3, classic is of course 9.2