Windows XP forum: Windows XP Explorer.exe and Proxy Desktop Hangups....

Ok,so here we go...I am not a tech guy, just a user who is being stumped by an ongoing problem that has 3 different tech support guys also stumped..maybe out there in XP world is someone who has the magic touch...

System info : WIndows XP, 1 gb ram, lots of hard drive space open, two drives, two cd roms, tape back up, floppy drive, 4 usb devices, and a Maxtor external hard drive....

So, here is my problem....I am working away...when all of a sudden, I can't go to windows explorer, my computer, control panel, even Outlook express...nothing....if I try to retrieve a file, nothing...if I am writing an e-mail, the only way I can get to a file is through attach files....it is like the entire system just goes on a time out....

So I turn to the only solution I have come up with which is to shut down the computer, and start up all over again... needless to say this can and is a royal pain...there seems to be no rhyme or reason when this strikes....it just happens.....

Now...the interesting part....as the computer begins to shut down....up pops two screens....teh first is...EXPLORER.EXE ...you need to click on end now, or go back to windows to try and find the problem... and then END PROGRAM, PROXY DESKTOP...same options end now, or return to you know where....

So when I go back to windows the computer just seems to loop around, finally I just get frsutrated and hit END NOW...teh computer tells me I may loose files, and it shuts down and restarts.....and suddenly once I click on teh end now option...all the places I have been attemping to go to start opening...My Computer, etc...

Observations so far....sometimes by running my disk fragmenter ( DISK KEEPER ) it seems to help...sometimes it seems ADAWARE helps...but nothing cures the problem....only temp relief is achieved....

I give up....anyone found a solution, anyone has this happen...? I am now desperate....

Thanks for your observations....and tips