The variety tools within the type tool, rectangle tool, pencil tool, etc. etc are not opening in my CS4 Illustrator

Question

I recently re-installed my CS4 and am trying to reacquaint myself with the various applications.
Where I was previously able to access the various tool options, i.e. under the Text Tool, Rectangle Tool, Pencil Tool, etc. they are not opening now.
Any suggestions out there as to what could be the problem?
Thanx.
Illustrator

Answer 1

Bergi4roses,
Are you saying that they do not fly out when you ClickHold hovering over the main tools (that is the Illy way)?
If that be the case, you may start looking at the list, maybe going straight to 6).
The following is a general list of things you may try when the issue is not in a specific file (you may have tried/done some of them already); 1) and 2) are the easy ones for temporary strangenesses, and 3) and 4) are specifically aimed at possibly corrupt preferences); 5) is a list in itself, and 6) is the last resort.
1) Close down Illy and open again;
2) Restart the computer (you may do that up to 3 times);
3) Close down Illy and press Ctrl+Alt+Shift/Cmd+Option+Shift during startup (easy but irreversible);
4) Move the folder (follow the link with that name) with Illy closed (more tedious but also more thorough and reversible);
5) Look through and try out the relevant among the Other options (follow the link with that name, Item 7) is a list of usual suspects among other applications that may disturb and confuse Illy, Item 15) applies to CC, CS6, and maybe CS5);
Even more seriously, you may:
6) Uninstall, run the Cleaner Tool (if you have CS3/CS4/CS5/CS6/CC), and reinstall.
http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html