jpg and startup shutdown

I seem to be having a problem with .jpg files. Any time i try
to open one, the program i'm in freezes up. whether it's outlook
express attachments, my pictures, anywhere....I also am having
problems, inconsistently, with startup and shutdown. sometimes during startup, my system freezes up, and sometimes on shutdown, same thing. when the freeze happens on shutdown,
i get program not responding, but no program name, so i can't
seem to locate the offender. i've tried re-installing sounds, removed some background pictures, reinstalled mouse, keyboard....tried selective startup.....i recently installed norton personal firewall, hope this has nothing to do with it. it's such an inconsistent problem, therefore it's becoming harder for me to diagnose. anyone can assist, i'd appreciate trying just about anything....Thanks,

 

Well, i seem to have fixed the jpg problem...i hope...but i'm still having the startup/shutdown problem. it's still inconsistent...

anyone have any ideas?

 

Well, I'll toss in the usual, especially concerning failure to shut down---> Update drivers. I'd check the NIC card (if any) and the video first. Then sound.