Windows XP Acting Jumpy

Hello, everyone! This is my first time here. I tried searching for the answer but really don't know how to classify the problem.

I have an ABS Sensation 1300 computer that I purchased in May, 2003. I have been very satisfied with it and it has generally been very stable. However, lately Windows XP has become quite nervous. When I use the back and forward buttons in Internet Explorer, it skips back or forward two pages instead of one. Drop-down and pull-down menus don't stay down, they pop right back up, and only if I hold down the left-click button on the mouse will they stay. In my email program it sometimes skips ahead to a function I didn't select, like when I am trying to read an email and it suddenly tries to forward it somewhere. And the most annoying thing of all: if I have two or three windows open, when I go to close one it also closes the one that was opened just before it (thus I have to keep logging in to websites). I run three programs to clean viruses, trojans, and spyware off my system (manually, not simultaneously), and I tried System Restore to a previous time when everything was working OK. This hasn't stopped the erratic behavior. What is your diagnosis, and what can I do about it? Thank you for any suggestions.

randwolfray

Here are my system specs:

Computer Name: ABSOFSTEEL
Username: Randy
IP Address: 4.244.141.81
MAC Address:
Windows: Windows XP or .NET server 5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 1
Serial Number: 55274-OEM-0042206-37790
Internet Explorer: 6.0.2800.1106
Memory (RAM): 256 MB
CPU Type: AMD Athlon(TM) XP 2600+
CPU Speed: 2080.3 MHz
Sound card: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Video card: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440
Screen Resolution: 800 X 600
Network Card: VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter
Power Status: High
Time Zone: Central Standard Time
CD Burner: Installed
COM Ports: COM3 COM1
LPT Ports: LPT1
Hard Disks: C:\ 107.8GB D:\ 4.0GB
HD Serial Number: 0827 - ECA5
BIOS Date: 11/13/03
Serial Number: SYS-1234567890
Manufacturer: Award Software, Inc.
Product Make: System Name
PCMCIA (Laptops): Not Installed
USB Controllers: Detected: 4 host controllers.
Firewire (1394): Not detected

 

See if it happens under a clean boot.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353

 

Thanks, Adynalyne! I first tried the problem in Safe Mode, then I realized that was probably your catch phrase! Still, it seemed a little bit improved. Then I went through the Clean Boot procedures, and there didn't seem to be any problem. (I guess it's like when you are sick, you go to the doctor feeling just fine). After returning to Normal Mode, it still seemed improved, but in getting to this page one or two of the glitches popped up. The only thing I noticed in the Clean Boot process was in trying to check the box for Load Startup Items, the checkmark disappeared a time or two. That may have been me not getting the cursor close enough, but I am going to go back through the steps again just in case. At least things are better for now.