Windows 7 - Calling all experts!! Very unusual problem here.

Specs:

Q6600
3GB RAM
Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit

Great site! I hope this is the right place to post this. I'm at a total loss, For no apparent reason it appears that programs just stop working after a while. For example if I click to open a Zip file it won't open even though I have the program. If I click on my shortcut to open a program, either an error message pops up or the program doesn't open. Then when I click on the start button to reboot, my only option is to Shut Down or whatever the default button is and I need to click on the button several times for the shut down/restart to finally take. FYI I can't click on the little arrow to hit Restart, Sleep, Log Off etc.

Then after I reboot, I'm fine, all the programs work great, I can click on the arrow next to Shut Down etc. Then if I use my computer for a while or just leave it idle, programs will eventually stop working again and I'll have to reboot. It's usually at least several hours and every once and a while a full day before I have to restart, but it is getting annoying. If it helps, I can be on the internet with no problems, open new browsers, but everything else stops working.

I mostly receive no message when I try to open Control Panel, Windows Explorer or most programs, but none of them open. When my computer is in this state the error messages I've received range from:

Then when I can finally get the Restart button to a "Waiting for Background Programs to Close" box comes up, but the box is ALWAYS empty.

I tried reinstalling WIndows 7 Ultimate again, although only the Upgrade method, but that didn't do anything.

BTW I use MSE (which runs a full scan every night) and religiously defrag and clear cookies and history etc.

Any assistance or guidance will be greatly appreciated!!!

try fully reinstall Windows 7, with formatting the winchester...
most of the times it helps

Thanks. That is my absolute last resort since it will take forever for me to re-install everything, but what does "formatting the winchester" mean?

run the system file checker SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker ,did you do a clean install or an upgrade install ,if it was the latter you may have copied overs errors from the last OS and may be causing your problems ,you could also try a system restore or a repair install , have a look in the tutorial section of the forum for further help on these

Thanks! Trying the scannow now. I did an upgrade install. I know it doesn't mean anything, but I had no similar problems with Vista. I'll try the other options (as long as I don't have to re-install drivers etc. "for now at least") if the scannow doesn't come up with anything.

you're welcome good luck hope it solves it for you

Sorry for not telling everyone sooner, but the scannow didn't come up with anything.

Any other thoughts or ideas??

Sounds like you're at your last resort... Do a clean install, then image your drive...

Clean Install Windows 7

Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

Thanks.

Please say it ain't so.

FYI my biggest fear isn't so much finding the time to do the clean install (although I do dread it), but its doing the clean install and then having the problem come back.

Bonus question:

How much partition should I allocate for Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit or should I even bother creating a partition? FYI I didn't partition my hard drive when I initially installed it.

Thanks again!