Programs not responding especially when using "save as"

competitionscafe

Hello,

I can use Firefox and internet without problems but if I try to launch any other programme that programme either just freezes and won't launch (just says "not responding") (Eg: Cute FTP) or it will launch and open the file but when you try to save it the same thing happens (Eg: excel, word) or it will launch but when you try to open a file it stops responding (eg: Dosh cashbook; Paintshop Pro).

I did a disk cleanup of the C drive then defragged the PC - this worked for one day and then the problem came back

When the progs say not responding and I use Cntrl alt delete to try and close them nothing happens when I click end program.

ANti-Virus software is up to date and I have run SPybot and Adaware.
Hard drive is only about 20% full. PC is running Windows XP.

Obviously not being able to open any programs means that I can't get any work done! Any ideas of what is causing this? THanks.

Browntoa

try this initially (fully working 30 day trial)

http://www.download.com/TuneUp-Utilities-2007/3000-2086_4-10629494.html

to fix any registry errors, just run "1-click" maintenace

then come back for further advice

Browntoa

I'd then be interested in a hijackthis log to see whats going on

http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/