Windows XP Boots but locks on opening any application - no problem in Safe Mode

[tony@3adunne]

Hi,

My PC has recently started to display a really annoying problem. I have virus checked the PC with both McAfee, & Malwarebytes & I have run Advanced System Care to try & find the cause of the problem but to date not joy.

The problem is as follows:

I start the PC & its boots correctly followed by Windows XP Professional opening. I log into the PC & after what seems like a rather long time the XP Desktop opens & the PC appears to be OK. However, if I then start an application (any application) the PC either locks completely or can take an hour for the application to open. Very occasionally, the PC does however, start correctly. It is during one of these very infrequent correct starts that I have run the virus checks & the Advanced System Care.

However, if I start the PC in safe mode (with networking) the PC starts correctly & the applications open promptly.

The only thing that I know is misbehaving on the PC is the CD/DVD Writer Drive which reads & writes OK but will not open / close correctly.

Can anyone help? I am not sure if I have a virus, a PC configuration issue or a hardware problem & I have no idea where to start investigating.

All suggestions welcomed.

[Dano]

Use msconfig to disable everything in services (check the hide all microsoft service box first) and startup, reboot into normal mode and see if the proplem persists. If it doesn't it's something that is being loaded that is causing it.

[tony@3adunne]

Many thanks. That worked. I guess I will now switch on each of the "start-up" application one at a time to find the culprit!

[Dano]

My money is on McAfee or possibly HP printer software if installed being the cause...