Hi - I suggest first try starting to the windows desktop then if using a usb connected mouse , unplug it (is hot swapable) and then reconnect the mouse into another usb port to reinitialize
This might reconfigure and resolve the immediate mouse issue

Do likewise with a usb keyboard if installed.

Then restart into safe mode and determine whether issues manifest - if not , does strongly indicate issue is related to start-up application programs or parasites that start during normal boot-up, most likely a virus


but in my opinion, as this computer is used, it is best to completely reinstall Windows using the oem restore set
If not included in the transfer of ownership, these can be purchased directly from HP at modest cost (if the only method to reinstall Windows - check the support site)
(2 cd set - vendor restore + HP oem Windows)
But first register yourself as the current legal owner with HP if provided via the support site
(telephone support calling up ownership records as per computer serial number: oh yer sure, you work for Tyrell corp ?)

Link

You will need to save all valued non-system files such as research record files and emails and browser favorites etc - i recommend doing so anyhow even if not reinstalling Windows.
Best in current circumstances try first in safe mode (F8 menu at computer power up)

Do not reinstall Windows unless absolutely confirmed that all valued personal files are saved to removable storage

Reinstalling Windows eliminates:
resident parasites
residual previously registered utilities
uninstalled expired utilities
Hidden files
Accumulated system file errors
system issues from removed devices
Copious internet related history and browser support records and trace support cookies
eliminates serious registry file errors
Unwanted private files

reinstalling Windows in HP computers is quite a simple process

Also at least first reinstall the same security as per your old computer if that combination has worked well for you

It sounds to me that its an over heating problem. I would check all the fans in the computer to make sure they are working.

I appreciate ALL the suggestions, thanks!! I'm going to print them out and read them s-l-o-w-l-y as I am not very computer literate, to be sure I'm understanding what each one involves, before taking any action!

"If it's a file problem why would you have to shut it down for 30 Min.?" I shut the computer down twice in the past week, after waiting to see if it was going to FINISH whatever it was doing. Then I waited 5 minutes before turning it back on.

We didn't get a home PC until Christmas '97, but before that at work the worst thing you could do was to shut the computer down by pushing the "off" button. Maybe it's no longer such a big deal, but it still makes me nervous. So I hit the ctrl-alt-del twice but it took a long time, it seemed, before it worked.

Also, the business the computer came from works closely with PennDot and thus Homeland Security. The hard drive was wiped clean, and we were told it would be blank? when I got it, however, "they" downloaded Win XP pro for us, which was very nice! Except...

We had gone out and bought a brand new copy of XP Home to be ready, even opened the package to start reading the stuff, so we couldn't return it, then the computer came with an operating system already installed.

The computer is already registered to me at HP, and I've never had a problem updating at Microsoft. The whatever-it's-called (certificate, ID #??) is valid, though I don't have a program disc.

Thanks AGAIN!!

nature_nutz
"We didn't get a home PC until Christmas '97, but before that at work the worst thing you could do was to shut the computer down by pushing the "off" button. Maybe it's no longer such a big deal, but it still makes me nervous. So I hit the ctrl-alt-del twice but it took a long time, it seemed, before it worked."

The main reason for shutting down the PC the correct way is to allow any running programs to close "correctly" because back in the dark ages Windows used the FAT32 file system. Shutting down the PC incorrectly could easily cause errors which is why on the next boot you'd often see Windows wanting to check the hard drive. These days Windows uses the NTFS file system and it's a lot more robust. Which is why if you shut a PC down incorrectly these days Windows doesn't get all bothered about checking the disc. So no, using the power switch isn't the big deal it used to be.

By the way, defragging your hard drive now and then is a good idea, and a cleanup using a utility like CCleaner probably can't hurt, but it's very unlikely to make your PC run any quicker and it's certainly not going to fix a problem with a particular program keeping your CPU busy for no apparent reason. A program like CCleaner isn't really necessary. You can do all the main cleaning yourself by cleaning out your temporary internet files using your browser's option for doing so, and you can clean your drive by using XP's own disc cleanup utility. Cleaning the registry (which CCleaner also does) will pretty much achieve nothing. Unless you're running very low on disc space "unnecessary" files on your hard drive can't slow your computer down enough for a mere mortal to notice, because that's contrary to how hard drives work. If a file is needed your hard drive looks up where it's stored and goes straight to it so in terms of performance the number of files doesn't really effect it. It'd be like storing a bunch of MP3s and photos on your hard drive and then expecting your PC to run quicker if you delete them. They're not necessary either, at least in terms of your PC functioning, but why would deleting them make your PC run faster? Cleaning out temporary internet files can help a little as the browser is limited to the amount of them it'll store but it's very unlikely to have anything to do with your current problem.

The problem, as you discovered and described here, relates to a single problematic program and high CPU usage. It's rare to have someone ask about an issue here and actually be able to give such a clear indication as to the cause, yet still the "fix everything" solution is "clean out your temp files", "run CCleaner" or "reinstall Windows"..... sigh.

If you're going to keep using OE there is one maintenance routine that might help, and running it now may fix a corrupt dbx file..... or it may mess it up completely so you'd want to back up your OE files or save your emails individually to your hard drive before trying it this time. From OE's File menu, if you select Folders/Compact All Folders (I think) OE will cleanup your dbx files. The way they work is that when you delete an email it doesn't actually get deleted from the dbx file, it just gets "marked" as deleted. So over time your dbx files grow larger and larger and the chances of them becoming corrupted increases.... if I recall correctly there was, and may still be, a known issue with OE's dbx files becoming corrupted if they were allowed to grow to a certain size. Compacting you OE files removes all the junk and shrinks them back down to the appropriate size.