I've had a problem with my computer these few days. If I leave my computer on for a few hours, when I come back, MSN and everything is logged off...no Internet. If I try to open anything (folder, file), it won't open...Windows XP is completely locked up...yet I can still move the mouse cursor around and use the Start---Programs menu...but of course nothing opens. I tried bringing out the task manager but nothing happens...I tried shutting down but like I said, it locks up. If I use the computer for hours, this doesn't happens, it happens due to inactivity. I formated, worked fine for quite a while...two days passed and I get the same problem. What can this be? Sounds like spyware. I do have a few viruses in my avast! chest....can somebody give me a list of possible solutions? I sweeped with spysweeper, I checked with spydoctor, I ran a virus with avast!...cleaned everything...still same problem.

Turn off "Stand by" and "Hibernation". Windows has never handled these well. It of course depends on the hardware (Motherboard, BIOS, Etc) but it has always been problematic for XP. Musky If the voices inside my head paid rent, I'd be rich!

Never thought of that. Do you know where in Windows I can turn that option off? Believe it or not, I've never played around with that option. If its in the Power Management section, I've got everything set up so the computer is always on. Hopefully the "hibernation option" is somewhere else.

Right mouse click somewhere on the desktop, choose "Properties" from the menu. Go to the "screen-saver" tab and then "power". Choose "never" from the drop down menus in all choices. Then go to the "advanced tab and the "hibernation " tab and uncheck the box that Say's "allow hibernation". Musky If the voices inside my head paid rent, I'd be rich!

Thanks a lot, I'll try that once I get home :) But are you guys sure, that the system hibernates automatically when idling?

I think when XP is first installed, "stand by" is set as a default. I'm not 100% positive, but checking it won't hurt. Musky If the voices inside my head paid rent, I'd be rich!

I have heard that USB ports go to sleep after a few hours of inactivity so as I have the same problem I have to reboot.