Computer freezes when logging out

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@MadThinker wrote:
Try a repair install of windows to cure this problem and if that does not work then format and reinstall.

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Then again, you might just want to try something with a few less steps, and disable Fast User Switching.

From your onboard Help and Support application, under "Fast User Switching":

To turn Fast User Switching on or off:
You must have a computer administrator account on a computer that is a member of a workgroup or is a stand-alone computer to turn on or turn off the User Fast User Switching feature. Fast User Switching is not available on computers that are members of a network domain.

Open User Accounts in Control Panel.
Click Change the way users log on or off.
Do one of the following:
To specify that a user's programs remain running when another user logs on to the computer, select the Use Fast User Switching check box.
If you select this option, programs do not shut down when another user logs on to the computer. For example, if you are typing a report and your child wants to check e-mail, you can log off using Switch User, the child can log on, check e-mail, and then log off. You can log on and return to your report without losing your place.

To specify that programs shut down when users log off the computer, clear the Use Fast User Switching check box.
Programs automatically shut down when users log off the computer, and the computer will run faster for the next user who logs on.

 Important

When Fast User Switching is turned on, Serial Keys will not work. Serial Keys is an accessibility feature that provides support so that alternative input devices (such as single switch or puff and sip devices) can be used in place of the computer's standard keyboard or mouse.
 Notes

To open User Accounts, click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click User Accounts.
Fast User Switching cannot be turned off while multiple users are logged on to the computer.

 Thank you for taking the time to outline that procedure for me. 

Curiously enough, the "switch user" works very well.  It is when I try to log out my account (administrator) so that my wife's works faster that the computer freezes.  If I don't log out and just switch users, no problem.  To shut off the computer, I select switch user and then shut down from the account selection screen.

The computer does not freeze when logging off other user accounts.  I suspect that one of the programs administered from my account (spysweeper, Norton anti-virus or internet securit) in the background is causing the problem.  Does this make sense?

Thanks again,

bbguru