In windows XP, how do you disable the arrow from automatically opening whatever icon it just happens to rest on? I would lik

There is no 'automatically open whatever icon the arrow is sitting on' function in Windows. There is a automatic 'jump' of the arrow to a window that pops up, but no actual 'arrow will click' on its own a icon. This is usually a sign the mouse 'clicker' inside the left mouse button is failing and the mouse needs to be replaced.

NOW *IF* you mean 'I click ONCE on a icon and it automatically opens' that is different, that would be the option 'treat single click as a double click'. A single click is "SELECT THIS", a double click is "RUN THIS". You said "whatever the icon is just happens to rest on" as in you slide your mouse across the screen, a icon is there and BOOM it SELECTS and RUNS it (does it's own double click on it's own).
 

ram1009

Distinguished
If, by arrow, you mean the cursor it does not "rest" on any icon unless you put it there by moving the mouse. Also, icons represent shortcuts to executable files which will not open just by "resting" the cursor (arrow) upon the icon. You must first double click the icon to open the file. So, basically I guess I don't understand your problem.