Windows (98SE) freezes/crashes when I right click on an icon/file

Hi,

I'm really in need of some help and wonder if a kind soul could help me so close to Christmas.

My operating system is Windows 98SE with all the service packs installed. I've used this PC and operating system for over a year without any problems at all. However within the last couple of days, when I right click on a file or an icon (to delete, rename etc) I don't get any menu with 'delete, rename etc' and the eggtimer comes on and stays on then the computer freezes.

I then have no option but to do Alt+Ctrl+Del and it says either Explorer [Not Responding] or My Documents [Not Responding]. I click End Task then it goes to the blue screen saying "error has occured" or I just get a black screen showing nothing. I then have to restart the PC and go through the same process.

The error also occurs if I select an icon using left click then press the Delete key (i.e. a process that would usually be carried out using right click and going down to delete).

I've run a load of tests including AVG free edition (to check for viruses), Regcleaner (to check registry), Lavasoft Ad-aware and Spybot (to check for spyware). Yet nothing is found. I've also tried reinstalling the service packs (which have been working fine for a long time) to see if that helps but it hasn't. I've shut down as many programs as possible including my firewall to see if that helps but it hasn't.

I've no idea how this problem has arrisen and I can't find any information on a similar problem. The problem simply reoccurs and I'm now at a total loss as what I should do next. I'm thinking of reformatting the hard drive, reinstalling all software and starting again. Any advice before I do this would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards & Merry Christmas.

Windows 98SE Pentium3 550Mhz 128MB RAM.

 

Ok no replies yet. I wonder if there's a freeware solution to my problem? Maybe something I can download off this site. Any recommendations?

 

I have found some information on other people having the same problem but with no solution.

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/win98/t1069863280

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/win98/t1073579694