Various programs not responding

[Lexi]

I have various programs that are not responding...for instance If i'm in paint shop pro and I click file open the window that comes up sits there forever and eventually I get a not responding.
If I right click start bar and choose explore...the window that comes up sits there does not much of nothing but freezes and says not responding.
If I unzip a file....click to copy that file to any area on my computer....you guessed it....not responding....what could be causing this?
windows xp
1 Gig of ram
2.0 mhz
norton internet security 04
cd rw/dvd rw
cd rom
premium sound card and speakers with subwoofer
21 inch monitor etc

oh and while i'm here I cannot hear sound from my speakers but I can from a headphone jack on the front of my computer

[wayneluu]

From the problems you described about your computer, I would think there should be many possibilities for causing that.
It could be the instability of the system Windows XP and you had better reinstall the OS to fix it.
It could be the virus infection. you could try to scan the hard drive to make sure if it is clean, or had you updated your XP to service pack 1. The non-updated Windows XP could cause virus infection and attack when online.
It could be the hardwares' problems- the malfunction of the CPU, the motherboard, RAM, etc. Try to remove all the interface cards on you computer except the Video card by excluding the possibilities that cause freezing problems.


Sometimes, if the problems arise due to the OS instability, reinstallation will be a bothersome but efficient way to solve the problem.

Good luck.

[Lexi]

Ok I just reinstalled not long ago and coudn't install the sound drivers tho I had the cd for them it kept telling me it couldn't find a file and I could never see which file because it zipped right quick to the error.

I suspected I'd need to reinstall again....sigh...thanks
I know it's not a virus because I update regularly and run a full system scan every night
Yes I updated to service pack one thinking that would fix things.
thanks