Hi,

I've posted extensively about my issue to usenet on 12/12/2011, on alt.sys.pc-clone.dell, under the name Boris, subject "OT - Opened Apps Freeze".  I have not yet found a solution, and may never.  Here's the problem:

The machine is a Dell Inspiron 6400 laptop, running XPHome, SP3.  (It's now running SP2, after a clean reinstall).  All's been
running fine for a long time, until...

Now, upon each reboot, if I open up any applets or applications, they will open, but will not react to any mouse or touchpad clicks.  For instance, say I reboot,and do Start, Control Panel, the Control Panel will not close by selecting the red x in the upper right hand corner.  It just stays on the screen.  Then, if I launch Word, or Excel, or IE, or anything, once the program or applet is opened, that's all you can do with it.  So I end up with a bunch of opened windowsand I can't operate within them, or close them.  There's no reaction once they are opened.

BUT...

If I then do a CTRL-ALT-DEL (task manager opens coincidentally), everything works as normal.  I can move within what were previously inactive, yet open, programs, and I can close them.  Everything's normal.

The pc will work fine from this point on, until I reboot, and the problem resurfaces.

The problem does not exist in Safe Mode.

I have done the following with no positive results:

1) scanned with Microsoft Security Essentials, 2) avast, including a boot scan, 3) disable all items in system configuration start up tab, 4) repair install of XPHome SP2, 4) reformat/repartition with clean install of XPHome, and install all drivers found on Dell site for I6400, 5) Dell memory test, 6) sfc, 7) reseat memory modules and keyboard, 8) 9) reset BIOS

The problem persists (but not in Safe Mode).

Any ideas?

TIA