I recently bought a new PC running Windows XP Home edition. The first time I switched it on, Windows started fine and I was able to customise the user account as requested and then use the desktop icons to play DVDs and install my monitor driver.
The next time I booted the machine (about a week later), Windows was again fine and I tried to install Norton SystemWorks. The installation hanged.
Since then, whenever I try to use the machine, it manages to get to the desktop but although the mouse responds and I can click on the desktop icons, applications will not open. When I move the mouse over the Sart button or taskbar, it changes into an egg timer but nothing more happens no matter how long I wait.
I have tried opening the Task Manager to see if something is not responding but can not get this to open either.
The problem also stops me from being able to shut down properly (using Start/Turn Off Computer) so I am left to switch off using the power button or at the mains.
After doing this, the next time I switch the machine on, the same problems as before occur but I have noticed I do not get the screen telling me that Windows was previously
not shut down properly.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks.