Windows gets stuck on resume screen coming back from sleep/hiberna

Wondering if anybody else is having the same issue...

The computer goes to sleep/hibernation without any problems. However, when I
try to resume from the sleep/hibernation, it gets stuck on the screen saying
"Windows is resuming from sleep (or hibernation)..." and I have no other
choice but restart. The only thing that I can do is move the mouse - no other
key combination works.

Also, windows gets stuck on the screen when you try to shut it down. So, I
have to restart it or turn it off the "hard way."

I am running a PC 3.2 GHz, 1.5 G of ram, 256 MBs Radeon 6600, 250 G of HD.
The hardware has no problems.

I have consulted one of the "computer techs" that I know, and he says the
issue might be with BIOS. He says that I should have tweaked with it before
installing the Vista.

Any ideas how to go around to correct the problem?