unable to open new programs

[Nigel]

eventually while i am working in windows xp, at some point, i am unable
to open any more applications. everyting i try to open, i get an
hourglass like it is working, but then it goes away. The program never
opens.

I have the same problem with open task manager, or even with shutting
down the computer. i tell it to restart, but nothing happens. i have
to hit the reset button to get it to restart.

Any thoughts of where to start resolving this problem?

 

[Ghostrider]

eventually while i am working in windows xp, at some point, i am unable
to open any more applications. everyting i try to open, i get an
hourglass like it is working, but then it goes away. The program never
opens.

I have the same problem with open task manager, or even with shutting
down the computer. i tell it to restart, but nothing happens. i have
to hit the reset button to get it to restart.

Any thoughts of where to start resolving this problem?

Computer may be running out of resources. Tell us something
about the hardware that isinstalled, e.g., CPU Make/Model,
amount of installed RAM, HD and available storage, etc.

 

[anita.davis]

eventually while i am working in windows xp, at some point, i am unable
to open any more applications. everyting i try to open, i get an
hourglass like it is working, but then it goes away. The program never
opens.

I have the same problem with open task manager, or even with shutting
down the computer. i tell it to restart, but nothing happens. i have
to hit the reset button to get it to restart.

Any thoughts of where to start resolving this problem?

Dear Nigel:

The first thing you will want to check out is whether you are infected
with a virus, worm, trojan or spyware.

The next thing you will want to verify is the size of your hard drive,
as well as your processor speed. How much open space is left on your
hard drive? Right click on C: inside my computer and go to Properties
with a left click. If there's not much space there, you will have
problems with applications.

Your processor speed is noted when you right click "My Computer" and
left click Properties. The processor is listed towards the bottom.
Make sure you have at least Pentium 4 or equivalent.

Is your virus protection software up to date? When did this start?
Did you perhaps install something lately that may be a bit "cloogey"?

- AD