nonresponsive programs & Internet Explorer 6

[John]

Firstly, whenever I try to use various programs on my PC they freeze, do not
respond, then I have to shut them down. This is happening more or less all
the time. Even when I try to shut down my system I get a box appearing and I
have to select "end now" to shut it down.

Secondly, my internet explorer doesnt seem to be working either. Whenever I
click on the IE icon I get directed to my homepage but if I try to type and
address into the addy bar nothng happens. Whenever I try to click on the
arrow to the right of the bar to bring up a scrolling menu of frequent
addresses it just freezes.

I do have my hard drive split into three partitions, could this be a
problem? I would re-install XP but I have lots of MP3's which I need to
keep. Running out of ideas...

Could anyone offer some helpful advice as I am going to end up going nuts.

 

[Alan Smith]

Firstly, whenever I try to use various programs on my PC they freeze, do
not
respond, then I have to shut them down. This is happening more or less all
the time. Even when I try to shut down my system I get a box appearing and
I
have to select "end now" to shut it down.

Secondly, my internet explorer doesnt seem to be working either. Whenever
I
click on the IE icon I get directed to my homepage but if I try to type
and
address into the addy bar nothng happens. Whenever I try to click on the
arrow to the right of the bar to bring up a scrolling menu of frequent
addresses it just freezes.

I do have my hard drive split into three partitions, could this be a
problem? I would re-install XP but I have lots of MP3's which I need to
keep. Running out of ideas...

Could anyone offer some helpful advice as I am going to end up going nuts.

You havent mentioned aanything about anti-virus or spyware programs. Start
by getting (and updating) such software and scanning your system.