Can't Click on Certain Items

PROBLEM:
The computer will not respond to clicks within certain windows, to the start button, or to the system tray or task bar. The computer will not let me move windows around the desktop. I can also always move the arrow around, and clicking on regular desktop icons ALWAYS WORKS and opens the correct file/program.

EXTENT:
Sometimes a reboot will fix the problem, but even then the problem eventually returns. The problem also occurs in Safe Mode as well as in System Recovery options loaded during the boot phase.

MEASURES TAKEN:
I tried to do a system restore to a previous restore point, but that failed. I keep getting an error saying that a file couldn't be accessed and that anti-virus software is suspected. I went to Services and disabled all the Symantec services and tried again, but it still failed.

I tried to do a restore in safemode, but that failed too. (The unresponsiveness also happens in safemode.)

On one restore attempt, I got a different error message that the file system on the HD had a problem, so I did a check disk on boot, which apparently fixed some errors. But I still cannot do a restore.

I also uninstalled firefox (which I was using when I had the unresponsiveness), but the problem persists.

I also tried to experiment with the System Recover or Repair function during boot. I have an HP, and there is a boot option to use their recovery tools (by CyberLink). I tried this, but I could not click on any of the options.

COMPUTER:
HP p6330f with 7 x64 (It's several years old.)

FINAL NOTE
At this point I am close to doing an OS reinstall due to frustration. But I was hoping one of the wise gentlemen/ladies on this site would have a better idea of what might be the problem. Could it be a hardware problem?

Sounds pretty serious if your having issues with safe mode and winRE, sounds like the HDD may be failing if your getting disk errors

Absolute first thing would be to backup all data on that disk before proceeding then I would try something like
Disk Check
Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

and if the disk is ok (which I seriously doubt) then try
SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

Take Pauly's advice - back up you data FIRST!

Good that your data is safe.

This is (I think) the 3rd time this has happened during the last few days.
That statement plus your initial post would not make me have any confidence in the drive.

You say that the machine is several years old and that you are already thinking of a reinstall.

I suggest that you take that one step further and get a new HD, the do a clean install.
As long as you have the license key (COA sticker on the machine), you can install Win7 without any OEM bloat by following this tutorial:
Clean Install Windows 7

This will also guarantee that there isn't any malware on your machine, because - well... it's a new drive and a fresh install.

Once you have Win7 installed on the new drive, you can restore the data from your backup.

Bill
.

I would agree 100% once a drive starts to give errors its usually a one way ticket downhill
Personally I would replace the drive and do a clean reinstall
Not to split hairs but I would have a look at this one
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7
same as above but a bit more detail on certain aspects that may help

Defective memory can cause just about every kind of error you can imagine.

Download Memtest86+ (you want the 2nd one Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)). Unzip it then create a CD from the iso file using your CD burning software. There is a good freeware burner called ImgBurn which will do this easily.

DO NOT burn the .iso file directly to CD. It must be used as input to a program that knows what to do with it, like the one I mentioned above.

You can do this on any computer that has a working CD Burner.

You can also use a Flash drive instead of a CD.

Download - Auto-installer for USB Key (Win 9x/2k/xp/7) *NEW!*.
Unzip and run Memtest86+ USB Installer.exe.
It will format the flash drive if you tell it to. I used a small, 16MB flash drive and it had 8.5GB left when done.

Boot the CD or Flash drive and run Memtest86+ for at least 3 complete passes unless it shows errors sooner than that. An overnight run is even better.