I'm running my Windows Vista on my HP Compaq Presario notebook.
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.26GHz
RAM: 1GB
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 9200M GS
HDD: Fujitsu MHZ2320BH G2 (288GB?)

Whenever I restart, my taskbar does not respond to any mouse clicks. The icons on the desktop can respond and I can start those programs with my mouse. But once they are up and running, they also freeze and nothing can be done. Even programs RUN from the start menu by using the keyboard get frozen. The only way I have found so far to release anything is to start task manager(ctrl-alt-del), then close(optional) task manager once it appears in the taskbar.

SINCE opening task manager releases everything, I don't actually have to use it to close any programs. It all started when I connected my second external USB HDD. I already had one connected before the problem, but since I ran out of USB ports, I tried using a powered usb hub. Both external drives are Western Digital "Elements" SERIES and are close to the terabyte capacity.

I also did a scan with my Norton 360 but found nothing. I tried doing a windows update, although it wasn't critical, I hoped it might change SYSTEM behavior. But all without luck. Both my WD external drives came from my 9yr-old desktop(WinXP) which died on me late last year, so they should still be fine because I only just got them at most 1.5 years ago.

Now I've run out of knowledge and ideas to solve this problem. Can anyone help? Thanks.