Windows 7: locking up partially

My computer is locking up from time to time. It will sometimes not let me shutdown properly, or not open internet browsers ("procedure not found") and I have gotten the BSOD on occasion. I was using a differnt mouse (IHOME) and since i've stopped using it, that has helped some, it used to lock up the pointer but i could still use the tab functions and keyboard to get around.

One more point of interest was that i installed a card reader 74 in 1 made by rosewill, and one day i smelled some like melting plastic, and then the reader wouldn't work anymore, so I've disconnected it.

I was looking through the Perfmon log and saw I have like 4 audio devices, that doesn't seem right to me I don't have any additional devices just what is on the motherboard. Like I said I am new.

I really appreciate any and all help, thanks for creating this wonderful resource and community!



I'm going to try to put in the required info, but i'm new at this so if i need to change the info given please let me know, i'm trying to follow the rules to the best of my knowledge. thanks

I'm running windows 7 Ultimate that i bought new.
-running the 64bit version
-installed about 9 months ago
-updated all my system specs in my profile

I should add that sometimes when shutting down the computer gets stuck in shutting down mode but never actually shuts down. Then this morning for the first time it wouldn't boot up properly so i had to use a restore point.