Programs not responding

[Allenv]

If I double click on my computer,It opens a blank my computer window or says this program is not responding.And alot of programs on my desktop give me the same message.Half the time IE won't open either.I got here by clicking on windows update then typing in the url.
When I go to restart my computer it takes about 3 or 4 minutes to shut down and about 8 to 10 minutes to restart but what really surprises me is I see very little hard drive activity during this long wait.
So far I ran system file checker,anti virus,spybot,nortons system works and complete disk surface and file scan.Everything checked ok,Now I'm at a loss don't know what to try next.Any help will be greatly appreiated.Ran good until about a week ago.No new programs installed that I know of.
System is ecs board,512 ddr,1.8 anthlon,60 gig maxtor,Win2kpro,aiw radeon video card,no conflicks in device manager.
TIA,Allen

 

[mechBgon]

You might try a repair-install of Windows. Boot from your Windows CD and Setup will ask if you want a Repair, or a fresh installation. Choose the fresh-install option this first time. It will get Setup ready, inspect your hard drive, spot the C:\WINNT folder, and say

:Q ~ hey, there's a Windows2000 Pro installation in this folder, want me to try to repair it?

and you say

~ good guess, Mr. Gates. Have at it.

and it will leave your apps and files in place but it'll freshen up the Windows installation (and then you need to go ahead and update IE and so forth again). HTH, good luck

 

[Allenv]

Thanks,
That's probally what I'll do but what I would like to know is if you had this computer in front of you what tests and how to do them would you do to find the problems and correct them?
Also system file checker runs on every boot up and I'm the one that changed that how do I change that back?And how do I repair IE 6.0?
Programs open now,I don't why and I'm online now but still has a long wait when shutting down and starting up.
Come on guys what's your best trouble shooting methods.
TIA,Allen