problems with shutting down and notepad

I am having problems with shutting down my PC and saving with notepad.

Whenever I come to closing down my PC, when going to start -> shut down etc. the shut down dialog box doesnt appear and the computer freezes when the pc has been switched on for a long time. so the only way i can switch off my pc is by using the actual power button, something which i dont like doing. however if my pc has been on for a short period of time, say 15/20 mins it will appear.

Notepad - when I use notepad and want to save what i have written, i go to file -> save as then notepad just freezes and the only way I can close it is by using task manager. in other words i cant save any notepad files i create.

any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

jiminy.

 

anybody have any ideas, thanks.

 

What windows are you using? XP? If so try doing a repair. May help.

 

yes im using Windows XP professional

about 2 weeks ago i repaired my installation. so i dont really wanna do it again. cas i have to reinstall stuff.