Problems with User Accounts AND Screen Saver

Greetings All!

 

 

I have a most peculiar problem:

 

About a month ago when I tried to change my password for my user account I noticed that I could not access the User Account menu via the Control Panel or by clicking on the icon in the start menu.  When I try to access the User Account menu the computer, quite literally, does not respond;  it's almost like clicking on a hyperlink that has " " as its target.  Clicking on the other icons ("Appearance and Themes," "Printers and Other Hardware," et cetera) in the Control Panel takes me to the windows that they're suppose to.  My other problem has to do with my screen saver.  Under the desktop "Properties" option -> "Screen Saver" tab clicking on the "Properties" and "Settings" buttons does not bring up the desired windows.  Again like the User Account menu, you can click on these buttons, but nothing happens--like clicking on a dead link.  Also, a sample preview of the screen saver does not appear in the monitor window at the top of the "Screen Saver" tab window.  I know these buttons worked perfectly about two months ago when I was using the "Marquee" screen saver.  However, after the appropriated time elapses (10 minutes) the screen saver still appears on my screen like clockwork.  Everything else on the desktop "Properties" window works exactly the way it's supposed to.

 

At first I thought maybe perhaps I had a virus.  I have ZoneAlarm Pro (fully registered version) and Spyware Doctor to help combat viruses and spyware.  I'm rather liberal, too, when it comes to using the ZoneAlarm firewall: I don't even let MusicMatch connect to the internet.  I understand, however, that these programs are not perfect, so I am not totally ruling out the possibility of a viral infection.  However, so far to date these programs have been able to block/remove every (known) threat.

 

About four days ago I did a system restore.  However, because I don't know the exact date when the problems occurred I only did the restore to the previous day's saved information.  I'm away at school and I have a lot (and I mean a lot) of new files for essays, research, and of course pictures of my time spent here so far, so I would like to avoid a comprehensive sysem restore if possible.  Also, I did not bring the XP installations cds that came with my computer with me to school, so I have not attempted to do a reinstallation of windows. Running out of options (and grasping at straws) I decided to do a Disk Defragmentation today.  Still no luck, but I expected that.

 

Here's the computer information:

Dell Inspiron 5150

Windows XP Home Edition

Pentium IV  3.06 ghz

768 RAM

NVIDIA GeForce FX Go5200 (32 mb)

1024 x 768 screen resolution (32 bit)

 

I did notice these two problems at roughly the same time, which leads me to believe that they are related somehow.  I am willing to do a "full" system restore, but with so many new files on my computer I would prefer to take that path as the last possible course of action.  Also, if you think a reinstallation of windows will solve the problem I will be able to retrieve the installation cds within a few days, so that's not an obstacle either. 

 

If you read this all then you probably should be awarded the medal of honor.  I know this was a lengthly post, so I'll greatly appreciate any and all responses.  I understand that there may not be a simple solution to both these problems.  These are minor nuisances, which don't appear to affect the overall performance of the machine.  So if I can't get these fixed then c'est la vie I suppose.  However, I would also appreciate any responses which may lead me in the right direction of possibly getting these errors reformed. 

 

 

Thank you again for your time, patience, resolve, and future responses.

 

Mr. Matthew