Taskbar icons shift.

I am pretty bad when it comes to computer issues so please list anything I might be missing and explain it in simple terms.

My windows taskbar icons start merging into one another. They all slide down towards the Start button and sometimes layer up behind it.

In order to open a program I have to click the folder on the right of it. The font on them also becomes majorly shadowed.

I had this problem before but it went away so I assumed it was a virus. I am currently running a virus scan because it just came back again today. My firefox also goes to 'not responding' a lot more compared to before when I hardly ever had that problem.

The clock (right before the icons moved the first time today) was lagging half an hour yet the clock on the sidebar (which takes its time from the computer clock) was fine.

Currently my clock in itself is blacked out and opening certain applications ( I tried msn) takes alot longer than usual. Also clicking the black area where the computer time usually is results in nothing.

I am using an HP laptop if that is any help? And when this happens although I can open the start menu I can not open the close/restart etc. options.


Just now my firefox stopped responding -minimized and won't go back..but when I tried to open it and brought the mouse over my desktop I could see my bookmarks (in firefox) as if firefox was invisible. In fact I copy pasted this whole thing from the other 'invisible' firefox window into a new one.

Toolbar side-click wouldn't work (it just started doing so...) until I clicked on the arrow (for more options/programs) that is next to the clock and icons. The clock is now back on and the Icon's are back in place. The icons however do not work and I guess the 'invisble' program issue was happening again. I can open files and folders now (slow to non existant before)

Recently downloaded a movie from Azurus (torrent) which I don't usually do. I know it's not a overheat problem.

HELP?
p.s. I took a screen shot but I don't know how to add it on here

You need to upload the screenshot somewhere (http://imageshack.us/ would be a good place) and post the url here.

It is always a good idea to at least let us know what OS you are using, given your description that must be either XP or Vista.

A simple fast and safe way to do some cleanup is using http://www.ccleaner.com/. You should do both the cleaner (for files) and the register cleaning.

Regards,

Mike