Strange WinXP problem

[HTM~impos]

This problem just started for me today... computer has been running fine for
3 years, I keep it firewalled, antivirus updates, windows updates, all
current. Haven't installed anything in approx. 3 months on that machine.
Just a spare computer that my wife uses for websurfing and email.

When I bootup the computer, I get to the user screen, and click my wife's
icon. Looks like it's working fine, the desktop appears, the mouse cursor
moves, but when you go to the taskbar, the cursor is showing that it's busy,
and stays this way. No Start button, no taskbar, no clock, etc. When I
click on desktop icons, nothing happens. I bring up Windows Task manager,
and try to close explorer.exe, as it appears to be hanging up. Each time I
do this, drwatson.exe appears.

When I click on my icon from the user menu, my startup appears normal too.
However, the busy mouse cursor doesn't appear when I hover the taskbar. But
if I click on anything, nothing happens, other than the screen appears to
redraw. Basically I can access the Start menu, but anything I click in
there does what I just described.

In either case, I can't access the Run menu (no Services.msc, or msconfig),
or System Restore, or anything that could help diagnose this problem. Any
advice and, hopefully, solutions would be much appreciated! TIA

Specs

Athlon 1800
WinXP Home
512 mb memory 2X256 pc2100
80 gig drive, IDE ATA 100
Creative Audigy audio
Nvidia Ti4400 VGA
Linksys Wireless network card

hardware hasn't changed in 2 years

[HTM|Assraker]

This might not be good. I have seen similar happen before. Generally, but not always, when multiple users on one machine have problems (corruption) in the windows files it is the sign of impending HD failure, if the system is truly free of viri/trojans.

Can you run scandisk? Check the HD out & see if it shows any bad sectors. If it does, save your critical files fast to another media.

If the problem were with only one user, you could simply delete that user & create another. Everything is back to normal then.

[Freak]

When mine weirds out (which is at least once a month) I turn all the power off at the power supply and let it sit for an hour or so. This usually works on mine unless there is a corrupt file or virus.This has worked for me on a couple of other machines too.Hope it can work for you.

[HTM|Lunch_Meat]

Try scandisk first, but if it doesn't show any errors, try booting up in safe mode with the least # of programs running. If it works then you can add one program at a time until you know whats causing it.

I get the same thing when my video driver hangs up. Prolly coincidence.

If I was to bet on whats wrong I would put my money with Assraker and the hard drive going out.

[HTM|Minion]

Sounds like what my machine was doing shorlty before the HD bought the ranch.

[Merrell]

Download http://216.180.233.162/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe

Open it, click on Run and save log. Post the log here and I will offer all my help.

[HTM~impos]

thanks for the advice, and tips, nothing seems to be working... I think I'll just grab a new hard drive, as it could be drive failure, and do a fresh install...

[Raven]

Fresh installs are always nice


Its like getting a new car with that "new car smell" that everyone can't ever get enough of (Unless of course you're in your 70s then you car always smells clean)

[HTM|Minion]

Its like getting a new car with that "new car smell" that everyone can't ever get enough of (Unless of course you're in your 70s then you car always smells clean)

Sounds like a commercial for depends..

[Raven]

Its like getting a new car with that "new car smell" that everyone can't ever get enough of (Unless of course you're in your 70s then you car always smells clean)

Sounds like a commercial for depends..

Depends?

[Freak]

Depends on if you dribble when you mature. lmao