Wierd Windows Error

Hello all! I am new to this form, but I am stumped with this problem on my laptop. It appears to be working fine however everytime I hover over the start menu I get a hour glass and can not run any programs. I have started it in safe mode and the same problem occurs, I can run a new task from the task manager and it appears in the process tab but does not appear on screen. I am really stumped can someone please help Thanks.

 

What version of windows is this?

 

have you got antivirus and anti spyware etc?

 

Go to services.msc. Disable SSDP Discovery Service. Does the problem go away?

 

Thanks for all your help, I am running windows xp, no there is no anti-virus or spy-ware software that is one thing I am going to fix as soon as I get up and running. As far as the Idea about the services I am not able to open the services menu.

 

goto start > run > type services.msc > disable SSDP discovery service