Thank you all for the support!

The problem displayed in the screenshot Snarlygribbly showed is PRECISELY the problem I have. It did help me immensely, because I never thought of navigating using the icons before (duh), and it seems that, through that pathway, all the props seem to work fine. 

It would still be great to be able to use the text-based menu, though, for I am used to it. But the workaround with the icons does enable me to work. 

I have tried going through the Preferences Menu as pointed out by bagginsbill, but mine is already set on "Never collapse thumbnails", so it does not seem to be it.

Thx again.