Usually rebooting fixes erratic behavior, but my problem is the opposite.
My computer boots to a condition in which several things are inoperative.
The mouse works, but the keyboard doesn't.
Many of the screen icons do not work, including the shutdown/restart options.
Shutcuts do not work.
The Start menu works, and I can launch programs from it. But the programs do
not work--the main menu is disabled.
In fact it is almost impossible to do anything useful at all. But by
fiddling around with mouse clicks on various things (the edit user accounts
seems to do it), I can get the system to return to normal. It then stays
normal--until the next reboot.
Any ideas?

Run sfc \scannow.

If that doesn't solve your problem Do a thorough check for malware,
following all of the steps at one of these Web pages.
Help with malwa
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.

"DarylB" wrote in message
...
Usually rebooting fixes erratic behavior, but my problem is the opposite.
My computer boots to a condition in which several things are inoperative.
The mouse works, but the keyboard doesn't.
Many of the screen icons do not work, including the shutdown/restart
options.
Shutcuts do not work.
The Start menu works, and I can launch programs from it. But the programs
do
not work--the main menu is disabled.
In fact it is almost impossible to do anything useful at all. But by
fiddling around with mouse clicks on various things (the edit user
accounts
seems to do it), I can get the system to return to normal. It then stays
normal--until the next reboot.
Any ideas?