Can't Click on Certain Items

[VegasIP]

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?

 

[Pauly]

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
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html
Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

and if the disk is ok (which I seriously doubt) then try
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[VegasIP]

Thank you for your advice.

I was forced to do a disk check just now. It said it detected and fixed some sort of errors in the file system. This is (I think) the 3rd time this has happened during the last few days. The computer seems to work OK now--for the time being, anyway. As mentioned, the problems seems to come and go.

I also did the scannow procedure with no errors.

I also got WDs HD diagnostic test, and the quick test returned no errors. I am currently running the extended test, and will report back.

 

[Slartybart]

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

 

[VegasIP]

Yes, I do have my data backed up.

WD's "data lifeguard diagnostics" returned no errors on the extended test.

Should that give me confidence that the HD is OK?

 

[Slartybart]

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:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

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
.

 

[Pauly]

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
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/219487-clean-reinstall-factory-oem-windows-7-a.html#post1839164
same as above but a bit more detail on certain aspects that may help

 

[VegasIP]

Thank you, fellas. I will head over to the hardware forum to ask about an SSD...

 

[VegasIP]

... but before I put in a new HD ...

Do you know whether there are there other hardware problems that could cause the symptoms I am having?

 

[Ztruker]

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.

 

[VegasIP]

Thank you for that suggestion. I am running that test now ...

 

[VegasIP]

Memtest86+ is currently on its 6th pass with no errors.

(Just to be clear: its tests all the memory chips in one pass, right? I have three.)

Does this test return false negatives?

 

[Ztruker]

memtest86 is a good diagnostic but no diagnostic is as stressful on memory as just using the computer heavily.

If you've run 6 clean passes though, I'd say it's unlikely you have a (computer) memory problem.

 

[VegasIP]

Not wanting to throw good money after bad, I wanted to try to determine if the HD was really the issue. Here are a couple reasons to think it is not a HD issue:

1) When doing a complete reinstall of Windows with the Factory DVD, the problem presents itself again right away. (Why would that very particular problem arise so quickly?)

2) When using the downloaded iso recommended on the tutorial for a clean reinstall, I had difficulty proceeding beyond the part that asks about language/keyboard. I could not click on the "Next" button on the "Install Windows" window, the top bar of which flashed between blue and grey and then turned solid grey.

3) Also, I ran WD's diagnostic test on the HD again without it showing any errors, and I then used the tool to replace all the data on the whole drive with zeros before doing the second reinstall.

From my amateur perspective, it seems like it is not a issue of OS set-up since it occurs both during install and also after a factory reset. And it also seems like it is not an HD issue. I tested the memory extensively (20 passes or something). Could it be something like the motherboard going bad?

 

[Ztruker]

For the original problem of not being able to click on things, what kind of mouse do you have? Wired PS2/USB or wireless?

Can you try a different mouse?

Could you borrow a hard drive from a fried just test with?

 

[VegasIP]

I have a wired USB mouse. I will try to get a hold of another to try. With regard to the HD, my non-expert/commonsense judgment is that the fact that the same very particular problem arises again very soon after a Factory OS reinstall on a drive with just zeroes on it suggests that it is not the HD. Is there some reason to think that such a specific problem would reoccur due to a HD issue? And that a problem with the HD would affect working from a bootable install DVD?

Just now, I managed to get a clean OS reinstall done, and so far the problem has not presented itself (after light use).

Could it be something where Windows is silently updating a driver or something like that that is fouling up the functioning of the OS even soon after a reistall?

UPDATE: My reinstall is still working well after adding some key programs (CrashPlan, Dropbox, Office 2010) and using the computer for a few hours. This time, I made sure not to let Windows add any optional updates at all. We'll see if that lasts.

 

[VegasIP]

I've been using the computer for about 2 weeks without a problem.

I can't say for sure, but it seems that the problem was with the USB port on the back of the computer. I now have the mouse plugged into the USB on the front. For the life of me, I can't fathom how the mouse communicating with the OS would give rise to these symptoms since it was only some things that I couldn't click on.

At any rate, I suppose it's probably a reminder that we should check the simplest things first.

 

[Pauly]

Good news that you seem to have the problem under control but be aware that the system has corrected errors on the HDD so it would seem that there was/is a problem with your HDD so if your not going to replace it make sure you are constantly backing up your data just in case you suffer a failure