Freezing Up of One User

HELP! I don't know what has happened over the past few hours - but for some reason I cannot get any of the Windows programs to function on my 'user'. I see the hour glass function for a few seconds, and then it goes off, and the program does not initiate. After clicking on a few others - the computer stalls and I have to unplug it to get it going again. (One of the other users I have for WIN-XP is functioning normal - and as such I can send this message.) I've tried to do a 'system restore' (while on the 'other user') - but it likewise stalls when it re-boots and I click on the main user. (I start it with the other user, a few functions occur, the computer shuts off and turns back on, and when I go to the main user, it locks up again and indicates that it cannot open "system restore ". I've checked the MS site regarding the Blaster worm - and it says the computer is not affected. I've run a virus detection scan (and older one - I haven't updated for a while) - and it doesn't show anything. Can anyone comment as to what the problem might be - and what I might do while logged on as the other user to straighten this all out? I'll certainly appreciate any help!

Thanks!

 

Just a note to say I solved the problem. Managed to get to the 'safe' boot up and run a disk maintenance program - and it said 'a program was missing' (??) It 'fixed it' and now works OK!! (I don't know what the program was or how it became missing?!)

One remaining question - however. I can't get the "system restore" to function. Each time I pick a date for it to use as reference, it goes through all the procedures but ends up saying that it was not restored to that date and I should select another date. Does anyone have an idea what I need to do to resolve this?

 

It's possible that the restore points contain the fault that created the problems you were having and therefore won't work correctly.

I'd turn off System Restore to delete all restore points, then turn it back on, manually make a new one while everything's working right and let Windows make restore points as usual after that.

 

If there have been no changes to system files, then System Restore will prompt you to select another date because it can't find anything to "fix ". This is normal behavior.

Here are some links to help you pinpoint a possible problem.
Spybot
Panda
PCPitstop
Trend

If none of that gives you any helpful diagnostic info, try SFC

Start > Run > cmd and type
sfc /scannow
and have your XP install disc ready.

sfc - system file checker, retrieves the correct version of the file from %Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache or the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file.

If you want to see what was replaced, right click My Computer > manage, expand event viewer > system.

Johanna