super slow searches

[clr]

I noticed four strange things started happening recently.
(1) When typing an address into the address bar, if I
do not use the "http://" prefix before the address it now
takes almost five minutes to load the page where as
before it loaded immediately. If I do type in
the "http://" prefix the page will load normally.
(2)When I click on "My Computer" it takes a long time to
find folders and files. I get the searching flashlight
icon for 3 or 4 minutes before it finds anything.
However, if I create a shortcut to a drive (C: or D for
example) it will find it immediately.
(3) If I right click on a file or folder and click
on "Send To" I have the same problem. My computer slows
to a crawl while it searches.
(4) when I try to shut down my computer it will always
reboot. It doesn't matter if I click the Restart button
or the Shut down button.

I noticed this happening after I lost power while I was
restoring my system to a earlier date with System
Restore.

I thought I would take care of the problem when I used
Acronis TrueImage to do a complete drive backup that I
had made a month earlier. Still have the same problem.
I'm running XP Home

Thanks for any help

 

[clr]

found out part of the problem. Disconnected my scanner
and all the problems went away except fot the computer
not shutting down.