Weird ghost-like menus & it's locked up

[Guest]

My laptop keeps locking up, but not entirely. The first sign will be that
the taskbar has moved so it's semi-hidden under the Start button. Any menu
that I try to open will have it's outline or border, no text contents and a
blue translucent ghost-like interior. The machine isn't exactly frozen,
because I can move the cursor. I can't reboot the normal way, because when I
press the Start, but the menu comes up translucent, no contents. I can do
Ctrl/Alt/Del and select Restart (that menu looks great). This happens every
morning. I tried changing the Power option so the laptop didn't go to sleep
last night and it was locked up this morning.

I would have said the problem was the Task Scheduler, but yesterday, it
locked up while I was using it. I have it set to run several programs at
midnight. Usually it locks up sometime during the first hour.

I'm new to Vista. I do plan on reinstalling Vista because of all the
'extra' stuff HP adds to the laptop, but I wanted to wait until the release
of SP1, as I have to watch how much I download. The driver for the video
card is up to date.

I appreciate any help.

Laptop: HP Pavillion, 6 weeks old, Windows Vista Home Premium / Intel Core
2 Duo T7500 (2.2GHz/4MB L2Cache) / 17.0" WSXGA+ BrightView Widescreen
(1680x1050) / 2GB DDR2 System Memory / 511MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GS / 120GB
7200RPM SATA Hard Drive

 

[Tie Various]

Ghost like menus on vista?

YOU ARE IN LUCK!!!!

THANK GOD I AM A VISTA EXTERMINATOR! A VISTABUSTER!

Yes... I get many calls each day from people who call me, in dismay pleading
for my expert help.
Just like they call the Ghostbusters, but in my case I am the VistaBuster!
I remove vista from your computer leaving it fast clean with no bugs ghosts
and ghouls, and I install the best OS Microsoft has made:
XP!

Call 1800-VISTABUSTERS-00



Sing along with me with the Ghostbusters tune:::>>>>>
Get the midi audio here to sing along with me... !!! WHOOHOOOO!!!!
http://www.ex-designz.net/midiswav/New_English_midi/Ghostbusters_theme.mid

Vistabusters...
If there's somethin' strange in your network neighborhood
Who ya gonna call (Vistabusters)
If it's somethin' weird an it won't work good
Who ya gonna call (Vistabusters)

I ain't afraid a no Vista
I ain't afraid a no Vista
If you're seein' things runnin' thru your OS
Who can you call (Vistabusters)
An' invisible process sleepin' in your dll
Oh who ya gonna call (Vistabusters)
I ain't afraid a no Vista
I ain't afraid a no Vista
Who ya gonna call (Vistabusters)
If you're all alone call phone support
An call (Vistabusters)

I ain't afraid a no Vista
I hear it likes the girls
I ain't afraid a no Vista
Who you gonna call (Vistabusters)
Mm...if you've had dos
Of a freaky Vistababy
You better call Vistabusters
Bustin' makes me feel good
I ain't afraid a no Vista

Don't get caught alone oh no...Vistabuster
When it comes through your dvd
Unless you've just got some more
I think you better call Vistabusters
Ooh... who you gonna call (Vistabusters)
Who you gonna call (Vistabusters)
Ah, I think you better call (Vistabusters)

I can't hear you...(Vistabusters)
Who you gonna call (Vistabusters)
Louder Vistabusters
Who you gonna call (Vistabusters)
Who you can call Vistabusters...(till fade)

 

[Guest]

Joel406,
Thank you for the advise. I've been reading a thread on a HP laptop forum
that gives steps for reinstalling without having to call Microsoft to
activate the Product Key. I don't have a problem with having to call MS.
Can I find reinstall instructions on this forum? I have an overall
understanding, but being new to Vista, I'd like to read up as much as
possible.

Also, how valuable are the reports in the Reliability Monitor? Or in View
Performance details in the Event Viewer? I see many Errors and a few
Warnings and Criticals.

Wendy

 

[Guest]

I wanted to give an update on this problem. It went away when I stopped
using program called Fresh Download Manager. I'm on limited internet usage,
but during the night Hughesnet aka Direcway users are permitted to download
unlimited amounts during a 3 hour period. I switched to new program called
Free Download Manager and three mornings in row, the Vista desktop is perfect
in the morning.

Vista was not to blame for this problem. At some point, I even tried
running Fresh Download Mgr in XP compatibility mode and the results were the
same.

Joel406, thanks again for your response and encouragement.